Research progress in 3D printing technology for carbon nanotubes composites

3D printing technology is one of the additive manufacturing technologies for rapid process and manufacture of complex geometric components. Based on the three-dimensional data model, the material is accumulated layer by layer controlled by computer, and eventually forms the solid object. Compared to the traditional manufacturing methods, 3D printing technology has many advantages, such as time saving, low cost, easy operation, no mold and strong controllability of component geometry, etc. Along with the development of this technology, several types of 3D printing technologies, such as fused deposition modeling, selective laser sintering, stereo lithography, digital light processing and solvent casting molding, have been produced according to the core of the printing technology, applicable materials and equipment composition. The principles and characteristics of the four most representative 3D printing forming processes were introduced in this paper, and the research progress of carbon nanotubes to reinforce polymer composites with different types of 3D printing forming processes applied in recent years was summarized. At the same time, it was predicted that the 3D printing molding technology will be developed towards the direction of high precision, industrialization, popularization and high integration in this field, and the research and development of 3D printing materials will also have more prospects.