Additive manufacturing of the short carbon fiber polymer composites: A review of current status, interfacial bonding, challenges, and future perspectives

Additive manufacturing of short carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites (SCFRPC) is achieving attention as a growing fabrication technique for manufacturing complicated, greatly customizable designs parts. Short carbon fibers (SCF) have distinct characteristics such as excellent stiffness, strong tensile strength and resistant to corrosion as well as lightweight. The SCF feature a significant strength-to-weight and stiffness-to-weight proportion, making them an excellent choice for extreme strength applications. In this comprehensive review, we explore the additive manufacturing of the short carbon fiber with the various polymer’s matrix, processing parameters, interfacial bonding among the carbon fiber and matrix materials, and the challenges during manufacturing of the SCFRPC. The additive manufacturing of the SCF with the different polymer matrix materials printed at the different orientation of the fiber, and having the different volumes of the fiber content was presented. Furthermore, this review also highlighted the advantages and disadvantages of the SCF reinforced polymer composites and primary processing difficulties such as voids or gaps generation, anisotropic behavior, design limitations, and layer-by-layer appearance. Finally, it critically examined the obstacles and potential associated with SCFRPC manufacturing, which intends to assist stakeholders who wish to manufacture the SCF using the different polymers matrix with complete guidance.