Metallization of polymers and composites: State-of-the-art approaches

• Recent methods for depositing metals on polymers and polymer composites. Surface preparation strategies enhancing adhesion strength at the metal/polymer interface. Coating qualities, properties, performance of metallized polymeric parts. Design applications Polymers their composites are widely used designing structures in aerospace, automotive, electronic, sport industries due to lightweight, cost, processing advantages. However, surface materials typically exhibits intrinsic deficiencies, limiting durability functionalities, e.g., low wear resistance, thermal electrical conductivity, adhesion, bioactivity, reflectiveness, weak photochemical resistance. Polymer metallization is an emerging concept that addresses these deficiencies by forming a metallic skin surfaces. Herein, working principles, recent advances, challenges, functional capabilities, state-of-the-art fields additive manufacturing, coating technologies, material science reviewed nano-, micro-, macroscales. The applied composite substrates physical vapor deposition, electrochemical plating, family spray (such as flame spaying, arc spraying, plasma cold spraying), series polymer–metal direct bonding adhesive bonding, injection overmolding, fusion joining techniques, including ultrasonic joining, friction spot electromagnetic induction laser joining). Understanding key aspects within approaches would guide scientist engineers optimizing design structural made polymers/composites.