Innovative high-performance metal reinforced polymers composites for 3D printing applications: a review

ABSTRACTInnovative high-performance composite materials are the need of the hour required by modern manufacturing techniques such as 3D printing due to less weight with high mechanical and thermal properties-based materials required. The application domain of 3D-printed high-performance composite materials includes aerospace, automobile, tissue engineering, soft robotics, sensors, and actuator applications. In this regard, the combination of metal-reinforced polymer composites has emerged as one of the most innovative sources for 3D printing applications in such sectors. The present study detailed the state-of-the-art review of the metal reinforcement in the polymer’s matrix fit for 3D printing applications. The reinforcement of the metal in the polymers tunes the mechanical, thermal, chemical, morphological, electrical, and sensing properties that are very crucial for high-performance applications. The main outcomes of this study are to determine the best suitability of composite materials in accordance with requirements. In this study, the high-performance metals reinforcement materials such as Ag, Al, Cu, and Au have been discussed with their potential applications (medical, electronics, household, sports, communications, military, business, industry, marine, energy, civil, aerospace, and the automobile) as per required properties. This study is supported by the direction of future studies for extending the innovations and applications.