Additive Manufacturing of Polymers: 3D and 4D Printing, Methodologies, Type of Polymeric Materials, and Applications

Abstract

Abstract This article is devoted to the use of polymers in additive manufacturing (AM), also generally known as 3D printing or rapid prototyping. AM presents essential advantages in comparison to traditional fabrication methodologies since it allows the fabrication of wholly customized 3D parts and objects with astonishing levels of geometrical complexity. Moreover, AM entails a significant reduction in the fabrication time, and therefore, parts can be fabricated with a substantial cost reduction. While different materials can be employed for 3D printing, including metals and ceramics, polymers are without any doubt the most versatile, and their use is increasingly growing. In this article, we aim to provide a clear overview of the principles in which are based the different AM technologies that employ polymers for the fabrication of 3D objects. The particularities of each technology including advantages/disadvantages and type of polymers used will be presented. Consequently, an extensive overview of the applications of the 3D-printed structures will be provided, covering different areas ranging from biomedical purposes to the fabrication of microfluidic devices. This article also introduces the concept of 4D printing and presents some of the current analysis of the environmental aspects associated with AM and the future of this technology.