Additive manufacturing techniques have recently seen an explosive growth across a myriad of fields, partly galvanised by their advantages over traditional fabrication techniques. As with most fabrication processes, maximising efficiency is a requisite, particularly if commercialisation is sought-after. Understanding how the material behaves during additive manufacturing is necessary to accomplishing said task. Accordingly, the chapter herein collates examples of where rheology is applicable in polymer-based additive manufacturing techniques, thereby demonstrating the necessity and utility thereto. The main focus herein will be fused deposition modelling and stereolithography additive manufacturing techniques, with examples of how both capillary and rotational rheometers can be utilised.
Part of the book: Polymer Rheology