Viscoelasticity‐Induced Controllable Periodic Meso‐Textures of Liquid Crystal Polymers in Additive Manufacturing

ABSTRACT Liquid crystalline polymers (LCPs) are nematic polymers composed of rod‐like molecular segments that self‐assemble into anisotropic alignment at melt. In material extrusion additive manufacturing, this molecular ordering significantly enhances tensile properties along the printing direction, which is seldom observed in conventional polymers. In this work, we investigate the formation of viscoelasticity‐driven periodic meso‐scale textures during LCP printing, and demonstrate their tunability through control of processing parameters. These textures emerge spontaneously without the need for complex toolpath design, driven by the intrinsic anisotropy of the material. Although this anisotropy can hinder interlayer adhesion, we show that natural cooling improves bonding between layers and increases puncture energy absorption. Beyond structural advantages, the resulting controllable textures offer functional utility: they enable terahertz wave manipulation for photonic devices and the regulation of nerve cell alignment, opening new possibilities for biomedical implants and multifunctional printed systems.