| Title: | Additive manufacturing of polymer composites : sustainability, recycling, life cycle, safety and environmental perspectives |
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| Authors: | ID Potta Thara, Yasir Beeran (Author)
ID Topić Božič, Jelena (Author)
ID Muhič, Simon (Author) |
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| Files: |  URL - Source URL, visit https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352940726002246
 PDF - Presentation file, download (12,49 MB)
MD5: 5369A18689AD2D7B3DD459AEF0644916
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| Language: | English |
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| Typology: | 1.01 - Original Scientific Article |
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| Organization: |  RUDOLFOVO - Rudolfovo - Science and Technology Centre Novo Mesto
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| Abstract: | Additive manufacturing (AM) enables the fabrication of complex and customised, on-demand products from various materials across multiple industries in aerospace, automotive, Industry 4.0, and biomedical domains. Advancing material development, improving process efficiency, and ensuring sustainable waste management are crucial for AM to achieve its full capability as a sustainable technology. This review focuses on the recent progress in AM of polymer composites by 3D and 4D printing techniques. Their sustainability, environmental, recycling, lifecycle assessments (LCA), safety, and economic impacts have been systematically reviewed. The effect of incorporating eco-friendly materials in the manufacturing of polymer composites to enable a sustainable future has also been evaluated. The sustainability of additively manufactured polymer composites is evaluated from a social, environmental, and economic perspective. By using recycled materials in the AM processes, the environmental impact can be reduced, circularity promoted, and resources conserved. The challenges of AM techniques regarding scalability, including slow printing speeds, cost limitations, and health and environmental concerns due to the emission of toxic matter and compounds, have been addressed. It also provides a perspective on the potential role of AM in promoting sustainability and circular economic practices for a greener future. |
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| Keywords: | additive manufacturing, 3D printing, polymer composites, sustainability, life cycle assessment, safety and environmental assessments, 4D printing |
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| Submitted for review: | 14.11.2025 |
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| Publication date: | 08.06.2026 |
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| Year of publishing: | 2026 |
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| Number of pages: | 26 str. |
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| Numbering: | Vol. 51, [article no.] 103309 |
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| PID: | 20.500.12556/DiRROS-30191  |
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| UDC: | 658.5 |
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| ISSN on article: | 2352-9415 |
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| DOI: | 10.1016/j.apmt.2026.103309 |
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| COBISS.SI-ID: | 280978947 |
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| Copyright: | © 2026 The Authors. |
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| Note: | Nasl. z nasl. zaslona;
Opis vira z dne 9. 6. 2026;
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| Publication date in DiRROS: | 17.06.2026 |
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| Views: | 62 |
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| Downloads: | 46 |
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| Metadata: |    |
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