Recent progress in process, structure, properties, and performance in additive manufacturing

The similarities between additive manufacturing (AM) and fusion welding have made Science and Technology of Welding and Joining an appropriate venue to discuss the recent progress made in AM. This special issue highlights significant recent progress in AM towards inventing new processes, developing novel materials, improving microstructure, achieving unique mechanical properties, and reducing defects. Furthermore, it identifies the modern tools of the digital age such as mechanistic modelling, machine learning, and digital twin as powerful drivers of this progress. The articles in this special issue are also believed to identify research needs and opportunities for the AM community.