3D printing technology is increasingly developed, which leads to more and more diverse 3D printing materials. There are some popular 3D printing materials such as Resin, PLA, PET, ABS, PEEK, … Each material has 1 different characteristics and uses. In this article, Smart Design Labs will focus on providing you with the most basic information about 3D printing PEEK material. Try reading to see if there is something interesting that you did not know!
1. What is PEEK material?
Polyether ether ketone, commonly known as PEEK, is a semi-crystalline thermoplastic well known in the manufacturing industry for its mechanical properties. Over the past few years, PEEK has become a popular material in the additive manufacturing sector. Today, PEEK has a yarn-compatible form for all FDM / FFF machines. At the same time it is being studied in powder form for SLS process compatibility.
Products 3D printing PEEK material
>> See also: TPU plastic
Used primarily in the aerospace, medical and automotive industries, PEEK is heat resistant and wear resistant and can replace some metals due to its weight to strength ratio. . PEEK is a strict 3D printing material, difficult to print, and needs to meet some parameters. So what are the characteristics of PEEK in 3D printing?
2. Characteristics of the PEEK material
PEEK is a member of the PAEK family (polyaryletherketone), known for its high thermo-mechanical properties. If we look at the pyramids of various industrial polymers, PEEK is at the top of the pyramid. That is a high-performance polymer. It was first marketed in the late 1970s, and was quickly adopted by sectors like aerospace or electronics for the performance it could deliver.
Polymers Pyramid
If we look at the structure of PEEK, we can see that it is a semi-crystalline polymer. Therefore, when melted, its molecules arrange themselves under the effect of heat, creating a certain order until the material is completely solidified. This allows PEEK to maintain its mechanical properties as temperature increases. While this semi-crystalline structure has many advantages, attention should be paid to additive manufacture in the manufacture.
3. Things to note when 3D printing PEEK materials
PEEK is a rigorous 3D printing material
During 3D printing, the crystallization of PEEK must be controlled. A part of the material will crystallize, changing the density of the material. Therefore, high temperature levels – extrusion, masonry and sheathing – must be maintained and variations in temperature are avoided. To print a PEEK 3D print, you will need a 3D printer with an extruder that can reach 400 ° C, the chamber is heated at 120 ° C and the platen up to 230 ° C to remove the part and prevent warping.
PEEK plastic
Advantages of PEEK materials
If PEEK is a demanding material, it must also be said that it offers interesting mechanical and chemical properties to the industry. PEEK’s advantage is that it is very resistant to heat and abrasion, its chemical resistance is also good, it can sterilize and has dielectric properties. Not only that, the strength ratio of PEEK is also high and is often used to replace certain metals. In particular, PEEK is also flame retardant, making it an interesting 3D printing material for fields such as aerospace, where there is a high fire / smoke restriction.
>> See also: 3D printed plastic – ABS plastic
5. Field of application
This high performance material is especially attractive to the medical industry. As it is disinfectable and can also be used in production of on-demand implants. In addition, PEEK has the same properties as human bones: so 3D implants printed with PEEK can accelerate the regeneration of tissues around the implants, speeding up bone integration.
3D printing material PEEK
Aerospace and automotive are also popular markets for PEEK 3D printing. It’s also wear-resistant and heat-resistant, and is also very light. These are all paramount requirements in the fields mentioned above.
6. Where to buy PEEK materials?
PEEK materials are not really popular in Vietnam because the cost is somewhat higher than other 3D printing materials. And at present, there are not many enterprises that own PEEK production technology in Vietnam. However, if you need to buy PEEK materials you can look to 3DShop Vietnam . This is a sales channel under Smart Design Labs Vietnam Co., Ltd. – a unit specializing in providing equipment and services in the 3D printing industry. PEEK plastic at 3DShop Vietnam is genuine imported from Europe. If you are looking to buy PEEK for 3D printing, you can safely choose.
>> See also: PEEK plastic at 3DShop Vietnam
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