Recent Developments in Additive Manufacturing of Conductive Polymer Composites

Additive manufacturing, also named 3D printing, can be used to create objects from diverse polymers, metals, and other materials in diverse shapes and dimensions. If special physical or chemical properties are necessitated, using corresponding feedstock enables varying such properties in a broad range. Besides choosing a suitable base material, often composite materials are used for specific applications. Here, an overview of recent developments in 3D printing of polymer composites with conductive properties is given. After a definition of conductivity ranges and the respective potential applications, additive manufacturing methods applicable for these polymer composites as well as potential resistivity or resistance measurement methods are reported. An overview of the most recent reports of 3D printing polymer composites with different conductive fillers is followed by a summary of the applications found in the recent literature.

Automated summary

Additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, is a versatile technology that enables the creation of objects using various polymers, metals, and other materials in diverse shapes and sizes. By using corresponding feedstock, special physical or chemical properties can be achieved. Polymer composites with conductive properties are of particular interest in 3D printing, and this article provides an overview of recent developments in this area. It discusses the conductivity ranges, potential applications, additive manufacturing methods, and measurement techniques for these composites. The article also summarizes the latest reports on 3D printing of polymer composites with different conductive fillers and highlights the applications found in the literature.