On the Electrical Resistivity Measurement Methods and Properties of Conductive 3D-Printing PLA Filaments

The field of additive manufacturing continues to revolutionize production methods, and 3Dprinting technologies have been at the forefront of this evolution. Among their myriad of applications, conductive 3D-printing filaments hold immense promise in the development of electronics, sensors, and flexible wearable devices. However, the precise characterization of the electrical resistance within structures fabricated using these filaments can be complex, especially when measuring subtle resistance variations. This study embarks on a comparative analysis of the two-probe and four-probe methodologies used for electrical resistance measurement while further investigating the impact of different electrical contact types on experimental specimens. Specimens will be fabricated utilizing a conductive PLA filament and 3D printing technology. The effectiveness of each measurement approach, along with the influence of electrode choice, will be evaluated. Moreover, the flexibility inherent in the four-probe method will be explored further. This research has the potential to significantly refine the measurement of electrical resistance in conductive 3D-printed constructs. In doing so, it could drive further innovation in fields where intricate circuitry, advanced sensors, and seamlessly integrated wearable technology are paramount. Furthermore, by optimizing these measurement techniques, we can gain a deeper understanding of the conductivity behavior of these novel materials, leading to an expansion of their potential applications.