ABSTRACT
Additive manufacturing (AM) came into existence around the 1980s and has since been continuously evolving till. AM is based on fabricating layered artefacts and has the unique potential of delivering highly customized parts. Materials play a major role in almost all of the AM techniques. A variety of materials is utilized for AM processes and research is in progress in developing newer materials for AM applications. Initially, the AM technique was originated around polymers, paper laminates and waxes. In addition to the suitability of types of materials for AM processes, their state is also important. For AM processes, the feedstock should have the form which is compatible with the particular process. Some techniques, such as stereolithography, cure liquid materials, some techniques, such as ultrasonic AM, join metallic solid sheets to fabricate three-dimensional parts, while other techniques, such as Fused deposition modelling, selective laser sintering, melt the materials to develop the layers.
