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Elsevier

Additive Manufacturing of Polymer Composites

Technologies, Materials, and Applications

  • 1st Edition - October 1, 2026
  • Latest edition
  • Authors: Hamid Reza Vanaei, Mohammad Ahmadifar, Saeedeh Vanaei, Abbas Tcharkhtchi
  • Language: English

Additive Manufacturing of Polymer Composites: Technologies, Materials, and Applications provides a comprehensive and multidisciplinary exploration of the intersection betwee… Read more

Description

Additive Manufacturing of Polymer Composites: Technologies, Materials, and Applications provides a comprehensive and multidisciplinary exploration of the intersection between additive manufacturing (AM) and polymer matrix composites (PMCs). The book covers new developments such as smart composites, 4D printing, and AI-driven process optimization—areas not yet fully addressed in the current literature. Its content structure follows a logical progression: it begins with a foundational overview of AM and PMCs, explores materials and their properties, examines technological processes and process parameter optimization, and then addresses advanced characterization, quality control, and applications.

Future perspectives, including sustainability, smart materials, and digital innovations are also included. Key themes include material-process integration, quality assurance, sustainability, and the application of AM-PMCs in complex engineering contexts.

Key features

  • Includes content covering the standardization and certification of AM composites
  • Expands sections on AI/machine learning in process optimization
  • Details modeling and simulation (including predictive modeling)
  • Includes economic feasibility and industrial scalability
  • Covers lifecycle assessment, sustainable materials, and recycling strategies
  • Includes experimental validation techniques

Readership

Researchers, engineers, and other professionals working in materials science, additive manufacturing, and polymer composites. It is also highly relevant to R&D departments in industrial sectors applying AM and composite materials

Table of contents

1. Introduction

1.1. General aspects of polymer matrix composites

1.2. Additive manufacturing processes for polymer matrix composites

1.3. Advantages and challenges of additive manufacturing for polymer matrix composites


2. Fundamentals of additive manufacturing for polymer matrix composites

2.1. Polymer matrix composites

2.1.1. Definition, structure, and properties of polymer matrix composites

2.1.2. Types of polymer matrixes

2.1.3. Types of reinforcements

2.1.4. Relevant properties for additive manufacturing

2.2. Overview of additive manufacturing technologies

2.3. Key additive manufacturing technologies for polymer matrix composites

2.3.1. Extrusion-based processes

2.3.2. Photopolymerization processes

2.3.3. Powder-based processes

2.3.4. Emerging processes

2.4. Technology comparison: quality, cost, and performance considerations


3. Materials, characterization, and applications of additive manufacturing for polymer matrix composites

3.1. Materials for additive manufacturing of polymer matrix composites

3.1.1. Polymer matrices: common thermoplastics, high-performance polymers, and thermosets

3.1.2. Reinforcements: macroscale and nanoscale

3.1.3. Multi-material combinations and co-printing

3.2. Characterization of additively manufactured polymer matrix composites

3.2.1. Mechanical properties

3.2.2. Thermal analysis

3.2.3. Microstructural and interfacial quality

3.2.4. Environmental resistance and chemical stability

3.3. Applications of additively manufactured polymer matrix composites

3.3.1. Aerospace: lightweight and complex structures

3.3.2. Automotive: performance- and weight-optimized components

3.3.3. Medical: customized prosthetics, orthotics, and implants

3.3.4. Electronics: housings, smart devices, and sensors

3.3.5. Industrial: tooling, jigs, and prototypes


4. Challenges and limitations in additive manufacturing of polymer matrix composites

4.1. Material compatibility challenges

4.2. Limitations in part size and complexity

4.3. Potential defects: porosity, anisotropy, surface quality

4.4. Durability and fatigue behavior of additively manufactured polymer matrix composite parts

4.5. Environmental considerations: sustainability and recycling


5. Optimization of additive manufacturing for polymer matrix composites

5.1. Influence of printing parameters (temperature, speed, orientation)

5.2. Effect of reinforcements on the quality of printed objects

5.3. Strategies to enhance mechanical and thermal properties

5.4. Control of porosity and interfacial quality


6. Future perspectives

6.1. Development of novel smart composites for additive manufacturing

6.2. Integration of sensors into printed parts

6.3. Multiscale additive manufacturing and 4D printing

6.4. Future outlooks for machines and processes: automation and optimization through artificial intelligence

6.5. Standardization and certification for additively manufactured polymer matrix composites

Product details

  • Edition: 1
  • Latest edition
  • Published: October 1, 2026
  • Language: English

About the authors

HV

Hamid Reza Vanaei

Hamid Reza Vanaei is an Associate Professor at the Ecole Supérieure d'Ingénieurs Léonard de Vinci (ESILV), Léonard de Vinci University in Paris, France. He earned both his M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Mechanics of Materials from the Arts et Métiers Institute of Technology in Paris, where he continues to contribute as an associate researcher. With over six years of experience in Material Science, Mechanical Engineering, and Advanced Manufacturing, His research adopts a multidisciplinary approach to optimizing advanced manufacturing techniques. He has authored more than 30 papers and two books related to 3D printing and material science. In addition to his academic and research endeavors, He serves as an Editorial Board Member for several esteemed international journals, including Biomedical Engineering journal, Bioprinting journal, journal of Intelligent Manufacturing, and journal of Mechanical Engineering Science.
Affiliations and expertise
Ecole Supérieure d'Ingénieurs Léonard de Vinci and Arts et Métiers Institute of Technology - LIFSE

MA

Mohammad Ahmadifar

Dr. Mohammad Ahmadifar is a scientific researcher specializing in additive manufacturing (AM) of polymers and composite materials. He holds an M.Sc. and Ph.D. in the Mechanics of Materials from the Arts et Métiers Institute of Technology, Paris, France. His primary research centers on process development and optimization strategies for producing composite parts via AM. His expertise includes evaluating material-process interactions, process parameter optimization, and enhancing the performance and application suitability of AM technologies for polymer matrix composites. He is also experienced in teaching advanced manufacturing, especially AM of composites, contributing to academic and industrial advancements in this field.

Affiliations and expertise
École nationale supérieure d'arts et métiers (ENSAM)

AT

Abbas Tcharkhtchi

Abbas Tcharkhtchi is a full Professor, at Arts et Métiers ParisTech (ENSAM). He has previously served as the head of the Polymers and Composites Group at ENSAM, the Head of the Processing, Mechanic, and Materials Department, a member of the research council of ENSAM, and the scientific manager of doctoral training in the PIMM Laboratory at the ENSAM-Campus Paris, responsible for 70 PhD students. At present, he is the president of technical and scientific commission of Francophone rotomolding association. He has published over 200 papers and patents and contributed to the publication of several books.

Affiliations and expertise
École nationale supérieure d'arts et métiers (ENSAM), Léonard de Vinci University, Paris, France