Property enhancement approaches of fused filament fabrication technology: A review

The shift from rapid prototyping to rapid manufacturing using 3D printing is prominent after the development of volumetric 3D printing, multi‐material printing, and functional materials development. Fused filament fabrication (FFF) is a fast‐growing additive manufacturing technology with widespread end‐user applications. The key constraints to its growth are the lower surface and mechanical properties compared to conventional manufacturing paradigms. The goal of this review is to look at the numerous pre‐processing and post‐processing parameters for the property enhancement of FFF. Pre‐processing methods included optimization of process parameters (infill percentage, pattern, layer height, nozzle and platform temperature, raster angle and width, build orientation, and air gap) and adaptive slicing techniques. Mechanical (hot air jetting, barrel finishing, sand blasting, laser polishing, etc.), chemical (vapor smoothing, dipping, plating, and painting), and thermal (thermal annealing and normalizing) post‐processing techniques were successful in improving the mechanical strength and surface finish of fused filament fabricated parts. This paper outlines the various methodologies a FFF user could incorporate for enhancing the final finished product's properties. The potential future prospects for the development of the 3D printing sector are also examined. Fused filament fabrication ‐ property improvement methods.