Dataset and images for MDPI Polymers article "Characterization of the Anisotropic Electrical Properties of Additively Manufactured Structures Made from Electrically Conductive Composites by Material Extrusion"

Additive manufacturing (AM) of components using material extrusion (MEX) offers the potential for the integration of functions through the use of multi-material design, particularly through the use of electrically conductive composites in the design of sensors, actuators, and electrical connections. However, there is a significant gap in the availability of electrical composite properties, which is essential for informed design in mechatronic product development. This study addresses this gap by systematically evaluating the resistivity of 14 commercially available filaments as unprocessed feedstock, extruded fibers, and fabricated MEX-structures. The analysis of the MEX-structures considers the impact of anisotropic electrical properties induced by the path planning inherent to AM. The results demonstrate that composites containing fillers with a high aspect ratio, such as carbon nanotubes (CNT) and graphene, significantly enhance conductivity and improve the reproducibility of MEX structures. Notably, the extrusion of filaments into MEX structures generally led to an increase in resistivity; however, composites with CNT or graphene exhibited less reduction in conductivity and lower variability compared to those containing only carbon black (CB) or graphite. These findings underscore the importance of filler selection and composition in optimizing the electrical performance of MEX structures.