Fecha de publicación: -- Fuente: Journal of applied polymer Lugar: RESEARCH ARTICLE A novel hybrid manufacturing strategy combining fused deposition modeling of PETG with vacuum bag-assisted UV-curing of glass fiber-reinforced PLA-like photopolymer over-molds is presented for protective equipment applications. FDM-induced crystallinity increases substrate rigidity, establishing a scalable, tool-less pathway for customized composite structures. Yet a stiffness-strength trade-off challenge remains.

ABSTRACT
A hybrid manufacturing strategy for protective equipment applications is presented, combining fused deposition modeling (FDM) of polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) with vacuum bag-assisted UV-curing of glass fiber-reinforced, PLA-like photopolymer over-molds. X-ray diffraction confirmed FDM-induced crystallinity increase in PETG from 23.1% to 28.7%, enhancing substrate rigidity. Flexural modulus increased 38.8% (31.4 ± 0.8 MPa to 42.9 ± 1.9 MPa) with glass fiber reinforcement, though strength decreased from 89.6 ± 4.5 MPa to 65.1 ± 5.9 MPa due to modulus mismatch. Interlaminar shear strength (5.77 ± 1.76 MPa) revealed the PETG/photopolymer interface as the critical weakness, with predominant adhesive failure. This tool-less, digitally-driven approach enables rapid customization of geometrically complex composite structures while eliminating energy-intensive metal molds, establishing a scalable pathway for small-batch protective component manufacturing.