Effect of Electrical Conductivity on 3d Printed Patch Antenna Using Dual Metallization Method

The development of 3D printing has created new opportunities for antenna construction, providing wireless communication systems with affordable and customizable options.
However, achieving high electrical conductivity on 3D printed substrates remains challenging, which limits their use in microwave and radio frequency components. To address this issue, this study explores a dual-metallization approach that combines sputtering and electrodeposition techniques to enhance the conductivity of 3D-printed Stereolithography (SLA) substrates. The effect of electrodeposition current density on the conductivity of the metal layer and surface morphology was systematically investigated. The results show that a current density of 75% is the ideal condition for obtaining high-quality metal deposition. Furthermore, the performance of the reconfigurable patch antenna operating at 2.4 GHz, 3.5 GHz, and 5 GHz was evaluated through fabrication and analysis. The Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) is used to evaluate the antenna's return loss characteristics, which are then compared with simulations. The results show that multiple metallization and SLA 3D printing can be used to produce high-performance antennas, providing a scalable and affordable method for future wireless applications.