Challenges and critical issues of various multimaterials for additive manufacturing

Numerous studies on cellular metamaterials with inspiration from nature have sparked developments throughout the world that use a single material and have limited multifunctionality. Improved mechanical qualities, increased usefulness, and environmental adaptability are all benefits of additive manufacturing of complex geometries. Multimaterial additive manufacturing (MMAM) technologies, including multimaterials, methods, design, and optimization, have recently been the subject of various research studies. The number of systematic and comprehensive reviews in this field of study has been very low or nonexistent during the previous 6years. This chapter aims to provide a thorough overview of MMAM systems and the guiding ideas behind its core operations. Here, the design, modeling, and analytical approaches for multimaterial combinations have been thoroughly explored. The emphasis is on potential uses for MMAM in various sectors as well as postprocessing MMAM-fabricated products. There were examples of the most recent MMAM uses in the industries of automotive, aerospace, biomedicine, and dentistry. This chapter also outlined the shortcomings and difficulties of the current software programs, MMAM procedures, materials, and joining mechanisms, particularly at the multimaterial interfaces. Finally, we explore potential solutions to the aforementioned technical problems and outline future directions, which will help researchers and engineers create complicated items with a natural feel.