An overview of 4D printing of smart multifunction continuous fiber-reinforced composites: recent advances and novel applications

Official URL: https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s42114-024-00943-1

The recent innovation in additive manufacturing (AM) of continuous fiber-reinforced composites (CFRCs) provided great potential for the design and production of high-performance complex composite structures at low cost. However, existing studies mainly focused on the manufacturing process and mechanical performances of the three-dimensional (3D) printed CFRCs without paying the necessary attention to exploring their new potential applications and functionalities. Application of smart materials like shape memory polymers (SMPs) in AM of CFRC structures leads to four-dimensional (4D) printing of smart multifunction composite structures with great potential for different industries such as aerospace, automotive, and biomedical. Simultaneously, these smart structures can exhibit excellent mechanical capabilities and possess additional features, such as self-sensing properties, energy storage capability, shape-morphing behavior, and shape recovery ability. The primary focus of this review is to discuss the latest developments in the 4D printing of smart multifunctional CFRCs in terms of the manufacturing process, materials used, potential applications, obstacles encountered, and future prospects.