Combining Additive Manufacturing and Textile Engineering: A Review of 3D-Printed Composites for Smart and Eco-Friendly Uses

Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology has become a game-changing innovation in research, development, and manufacturing, providing accurate, flexible, and affordable solutions for a wide range of scientific and industrial domains. Among its many uses, 3D-printed textile composites have gained attention lately due to their exceptional ability to combine complex structural designs with enhanced mechanical and functional properties. Better tensile strength, increased flexibility, customized biocompatibility for biomedical applications, superior electrical conductivity, and improved thermal stability are just a few of the outstanding performance attributes of these cutting-edge materials. Their significance in both academic research and industrial production has grown dramatically as a result of these attributes. Rapid prototyping, scalable fabrication, and the innovative use of multipurpose materials are all made possible by the rapid development of additive manufacturing technologies, commonly referred to as 3D printers. These developments are still difficult for traditional textile manufacturing methods to accomplish. The fundamental processes and material–structure interactions that control the functionality of textile composites that are 3D printed are highlighted in this review. Additionally, it examines their new uses in smart wearable systems, healthcare devices, soft robotics, electronic textiles, and advanced engineering. This work highlights the present obstacles, constraints, and prospects that will direct the wider adoption and commercialization of 3D-printed textile composites in next-generation manufacturing by combining interdisciplinary advancements from materials science, mechanical engineering, and design innovation.