The purpose of this study was to develop a 3D mesh-type impact protection pad with excellent motion adaptability and functionality by applying 3D printing technology. The hexagonal 3D mesh, which constitutes the basic structure of the pad, comprises two types: small and large. The bridge connecting the basic units was designed as the I-type, V-type, IV-type, and VV-type. After evaluating the characteristics of the bridge, it was found that the V-type bridge had the highest flexibility and tensile elongation. The hip joint pad and knee pad were completed by combining the hexagonal 3D mesh structure with the optimal bridge design. The impact protection pad was printed using a fused deposition modeling-type 3D printer with a filament made of thermoplastic polyurethane material, and the protection pad’s performance was evaluated. When an impact force of approximately 6,500N was applied to the pad, the force attenuation percentage was 78%, and when an impact force of approximately 8,000N was applied, the force attenuation percentage was 75%. Through these results, it was confirmed that the 3D-printed impact protection pad with a hexagonal 3D mesh structure connected by a V-shaped bridge developed in this study can adapt to changes in the body surface according to movement and provides excellent impact protection performance.
Powder injection molding (PIM), which combines the advantages of powder metallurgy and plastic injection molding technologies, has become one of the most efficient methods for the net-shape production of both metal and ceramic components. In this work, plasma display panel glass bodies are prepared by the PIM process. After sintering, the hot isostatic pressing (HIP) process is adopted for improving the density and mechanical properties of the PIMed glass bodies. The mechanical and thermal behaviors of the prepared specimens are analyzed through bending tests and dilatometric analysis, respectively. After HIPing, the flexural strength of the prepared glass body reaches up to 92.17 MPa, which is 1.273 and 2.178 times that of the fused glass body and PIMed bodies, respectively. Moreover, a thermal expansion coefficient of 7.816 × 10−6/oC is obtained, which coincides with that of the raw glass powder (7.5-8.0 × 10−6/oC), indicating that the glass body is fully densified after the HIP process.