Proceedings of the XMO Industrial Seminar 2026: Excellence in Manufacturing and Operations
Keywords
Additive manufacturing; Vat photopolymerization; Polymer composites
Tracks
CONVERGENT MANUFACTURING
DOI
10.5703/1288284318667
Abstract
Composite systems offer significant advantages in tailoring mechanical properties across a component; however, the influence of additive manufacturing techniques on the microstructure, cure behavior, and performance of such materials remains insufficiently understood, particularly for photocurable polymer composites. This study investigates the fabrication and characterization of polymer composites reinforced with glass microspheres using two additive manufacturing techniques, specifically UV-assisted Direct Ink Writing (DIW) and Digital Light Processing (DLP). Interestingly, we observe large differences in tensile properties between DLP specimens fabricated using different printers, indicating that individual printer design is an important consideration. We also demonstrate that the same polymer feedstock can be used in DLP and DIW. This knowledge will advance convergent manufacturing of polymer-ceramic structures, enabling polymer phases and adhesion layers with tailorable properties.
Photopolymerization-based additive manufacturing of glass microsphere-filled composites
Composite systems offer significant advantages in tailoring mechanical properties across a component; however, the influence of additive manufacturing techniques on the microstructure, cure behavior, and performance of such materials remains insufficiently understood, particularly for photocurable polymer composites. This study investigates the fabrication and characterization of polymer composites reinforced with glass microspheres using two additive manufacturing techniques, specifically UV-assisted Direct Ink Writing (DIW) and Digital Light Processing (DLP). Interestingly, we observe large differences in tensile properties between DLP specimens fabricated using different printers, indicating that individual printer design is an important consideration. We also demonstrate that the same polymer feedstock can be used in DLP and DIW. This knowledge will advance convergent manufacturing of polymer-ceramic structures, enabling polymer phases and adhesion layers with tailorable properties.