# Fabrication Process and Particle Dispersion Characteristics of W–PETG-Based 3D-Printed Composites for Medical Radiation Shielding

## TL;DR

This paper explores using tungsten-infused PETG composites for 3D-printed medical radiation shields, showing their potential as lightweight and customizable alternatives to traditional lead shields.

## Contribution

The study introduces a novel W–PETG composite material for 3D printing and demonstrates its radiation shielding performance and particle dispersion characteristics.

## Key findings

- A 3.0 mm W–PETG shield showed 70.67% shielding efficiency at 30 cm, compared to 92.24% for a 1.0 mm Pb shield.
- Higher printing temperatures improved tungsten particle dispersion and increased shielding efficiency by ~5.48 percentage points.
- W–PETG composites offer geometric flexibility and compatibility with 3D printing, making them suitable for custom medical shielding.

## Abstract

In this study, a W–polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG)-based 3D-printed composite was designed for medical radiation shielding, and syringe shielding components were fabricated to evaluate shielding performance and particle dispersion characteristics. Up to 70 wt% of tungsten powder was incorporated into the PETG polymer matrix to produce W–PETG filaments suitable for 3D printing. Using the fused deposition modeling (FDM) method, a 3.0 mm-thick radiation shielding cover for a 10 mL syringe was fabricated. Radiation shielding performance was assessed using a 99mTc (200 µCi) source at distances of 30, 50, and 100 cm. While a conventional 1.0 mm Pb shield exhibited shielding efficiencies of 92.24%, 94.26%, and 95.13% at each distance, the 3.0 mm W–PETG shield demonstrated efficiencies of 70.67%, 75.64%, and 77.57%, respectively. Higher temperatures improved shielding efficiency by approximately 5.48 percentage points. When processed above 160 °C, tungsten particle clustering decreased and a more uniform dispersion was achieved, enhancing shielding performance. The interrelationship among filament fabrication parameters, particle dispersion behavior, and shielding performance of W–PETG composites was quantitatively demonstrated. The lightweight, geometric design flexibility, and compatibility with 3D-printing processes of W–PETG composites suggest strong potential as alternative materials for custom medical radiation shielding devices.