ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGIES FOR SUSTAINABLE-INTELLIGENT STRUCTURES: A NEW CONCEPT OF MULTIDIMENSIONAL PRINTING

The introduction of polymer matrix composites in large structural parts for aircraft, buses, trains, and wind turbine blades has significantly boosted their efficiency. This is mainly due to the significant reduction in weight, resulting in fuel savings and a reduction on environmental impact. The annual use of these products is around 110.000 tonnes of carbon fibre composite parts and 4.5 million tonnes of glass fibre, with an average lifetime of around 15 years. Nevertheless, it should be noted that these products have high recycling disadvantages. Therefore, due to current environmental legislation, it is necessary to look for more sustainable alternatives, solutions to the waste generated during production, and at the end of life cycle.

Key Words: bio-based composites, sustainable, thermosetting, vitrimers, natural fibres. 
