Stretchable conductive Fibers: A quantitative and strategic review from materials to applications

Stretchable conductive fibers (SCFs) are central to the advancement of electronic textiles (E-textiles), providing reliable electrical performance under large mechanical deformation. Conventional conductive fibers, often constrained by rigidity and mechanical failure, have been surpassed by SCFs that integrate structural engineering, advanced conductive materials, and scalable processing strategies. This review delivers a systematic overview of recent progress, addressing key performance parameters such as stretchability, elastic modulus, initial conductivity, and gauge factor. Particular emphasis is placed on structural designs and material strategies that tailor mechanical compliance and electrical stability, as well as fabrication methods that enable scalable implementation. A distinguishing feature of this work is the quantitative evaluation of 124 studies reported over the past decade, establishing correlations between structural designs, conductive material dimensionalities, and combined electrical–mechanical properties. The analysis highlights how the choice of conductive material and structural geometry governs stretchability, conductivity, and strain response, offering generalizable insights that extend beyond individual case studies. In addition, remaining unresolved challenges, including wash durability, biocompatibility, chemical stability, and dyeability, all of which are indispensable for practical application, were discussed in depth. By consolidating qualitative trends with quantitative evidence, this review not only provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of SCF research but also outlines strategic directions for advancing their transition from laboratory prototypes to scalable and commercially viable E-textile systems.