Fatigue of 3D Printed Polymers and Composites

Additive manufacturing, particularly 3D printing, has proven to be an effective technique for processing polymeric materials, offering clear advantages over conventional manufacturing methods. Its ability to produce complex geometries with high precision and reduced material waste is especially valuable for polymers, which are well suited to layer-by-layer fabrication techniques such as fused deposition modelling (FDM), stereolithography (SLA), and selective laser sintering (SLS).

Furthermore, 3D printing enables rapid prototyping and customization, supporting efficient production of application-specific components in fields such as biomedical engineering and aerospace. It also promotes the development of advanced polymer composites with improved functional properties.

In this context, there is a pressing need to develop robust methodologies for structural design under both static and fatigue loading conditions.

The aim of this Research Topic is to gather high-quality contributions on recent advances in the fatigue behavior of 3D-printed polymers and composites, addressing both experimental and modeling aspects. Particular emphasis is placed on the understanding of fatigue damage mechanisms in additively manufactured materials.

This Research Topic aims to provide a comprehensive overview of current developments in the field and to support the establishment of reliable predictive models and design methodologies for polymer-based components produced by additive manufacturing.

We welcome submission on, but not limited to, the following:

• Experimental investigations of fatigue behavior in 3D-printed polymers and composites

• Fatigue damage mechanisms and failure analysis

• Effects of process parameters and printing strategies on fatigue performance

• Modeling and simulation of fatigue behavior

• Anisotropy and microstructure–property relationships

• Fatigue life prediction and design methodologies

• Advanced polymers and composite materials for additive manufacturing

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• Mini Review
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• Mini Review
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review

Keywords: Fatigue, notch effect, modelling, experimental methods, damage evolution

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.