Anisotropy can influence which property the most?

• A. Mechanical properties can differ between the build direction and the transverse direction.
• B. Electrical properties are always uniform.
• C. Thermal expansion is identical in all directions.
• D. Magnetic properties are unaffected by orientation.

Answer: (A)

Anisotropy means properties depend on direction. In additive manufacturing, the part is built layer by layer, creating different bonding between layers and often an aligned grain structure. These features cause mechanical properties like strength and stiffness to vary when measured along the build direction versus across it. This directional difference in how the material carries load is the most evident and common effect of anisotropy in AM parts. Other properties—electrical, thermal expansion, or magnetic—can be direction-dependent in some materials, but they are not as consistently affected as mechanical properties in typical AM scenarios.