Understanding Additive Manufacturing Processes for Surface Texturing

Additive manufacturing (AM) is an important addition to fabrication technology due to its flexibility in shape and material processing and ability to reduce waste compared to other fabrication methods. However, the tribological performance of the as-built surface roughness of AM parts has not yet been thoroughly studied. This review aims toward defining the intersection of AM and tribological research by exploring the qualities of AM surfaces, how they are altered with various postprocessing methods, and how they are measured and quantified. Through this exploration, directions of future work on the tribology of AM surfaces can be laid out. The limitations and areas of improvement for AM parts with respect to their surface quality and behavior are assessed from this point of view.