Recent progress in electromagnetic microwave absorption of additively manufactured carbon fiber-reinforced polymer structures

Recent advances in additive manufacturing have significantly expanded the design and fabrication capabilities of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) structures, particularly in the context of electromagnetic microwave absorption (EMWA). This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of research on EMWA properties of additively manufactured CFRP structures, focusing on EMWA mechanisms, polymer material, and additively manufactured microwave absorbers. Key topics include the EMWA mechanisms inherent to various fiber-reinforced materials and the role of additive manufacturing processes in tailoring EMWA performance. Moreover, the review paper summarizes the electromagnetic characteristics of various fiber-reinforced materials and evaluates the microwave absorption performance of additively manufactured absorbers, highlighting the trade-offs between electromagnetic and load-bearing performance. Furthermore, challenges and future perspectives are discussed to provide new insights into enhancing EMWA and balancing EMWA with load-bearing capabilities. It explores new possibilities for next-generation advanced additively manufactured CFRP microwave absorbers that maintain excellent load-bearing properties.