PEEK 3D printer filament is a superior performing thermoplastic polymer that has a chemical name Polyether Ether Ketone. It is applied widely especially in high-performance industries including aerospace, automobile, and medical industries because of its desirable mechanical properties, chemically and thermally.
PEEK is stronger than nylon and its tensile strength is nearly three times the tensile strength of nylon and is capable of handling heavy loads and shocks.
Its heat deflection temperature ranges to about 152°C, thus it can be used where high temperatures are a norm.
This material has highly rated chemical resistance on a broader spectrum ranging from acids, bases, solvents, etc.
This means that the nozzle temperature should range from 370°C to 420°C the print bed should be about above 120°C.
After the first layer of the print is laid down onto the build plate it is advised to use a heated print chamber to minimize warping.
PEEK is hygroscopic and requires a heat treatment at a temperature of 120°C for 6 to 12 hours before printing to reduce moisture content that will otherwise reduce print quality.
| property Material | PEEK | PLA | ABS | Nylon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heat Resistance | Up to 350°C | Around 60°C | Around 100°C | Around 80-100°C |
| Tensile Strength | ≈ 90 MPa | ≈ 50 MPa | ≈ 40 MPa | ≈ 70 MPa |
| Chemical Resistance | Excellent | Poor | Medium | Medium |
| Wear Resistance | Excellent | Poor | Medium | Good |
| Moisture Absorption | Low | High | Medium | High |
| Cost | Relatively High | Low | Medium | Medium |
PEEK has a high melt temperature of about 380-400°C and a print bed temperature of about 130-160°C, therefore, the printer must meet those conditions.
Temperature stability is very vital, especially during the printing process. Temperature changes can lead to significant defects in printing which include layering and warping.
Print bed flatness is specifically high with PEEK. Any change has consequences that lead to the printer failure.
PEEK is hygroscopic which means that it absorbs moisture therefore before the PEEK can be printed it must Undergo thorough drying.
Drying treatment: PEEK filament simply has to be treated in a vacuum chamber at a temperature of approximately 120°C for 6-12 hours without adsorbed moisture.
PEEK material will shrink and warp as evidenced when it cools down and therefore, there are appropriate printing strategies that need to be adopted.
This is due to the high viscosity of PEEK filament and the short period that it takes to cool down, the layer adhesion of the printed part was poor, and printing parameters should be fine-tuned to increase layer adhesion strength.
The layer adhesion of PEEK 3D printing is not good and thus, surface finish requires treatment after the print surface.
Some guidelines to be followed when using PEEK 3D Printer Filament are as follows, to achieve the best results when printing. Here are the details of the printer settings and calibrations that are needed when printing PEEK 3D printer filament.
The following specifications are required to successfully print PEEK 3D printer filament: The following specifications are required to successfully print PEEK:
It is realized that the nozzle temperatures should range between 380-400°C so that the PEEK 3D printer filament melts and extrudes as required.
High temperate adhesives are recommended or if possible print bed PEI or glass bed for better adhesion of bed and prevent warping while cooling.
For optimal print results, here are some important calibration tips and recommended temperature settings: For optimal print results, here are some important calibration tips and recommended temperature settings:
| Parameters | Recommended values |
| Nozzle temperature | 380-400°C |
| Print bed temperature | 130-160°C |
| Build chamber temperature | Therefore, it is advised to keep the temperature above 50 °C because after cooling the volume shrinks and distorts. |
| Extruder Calibration: | 1.Properly set the extruder to overcome any problem of under-supply or over-supply of the material in the extruder. |
| 2.Cross-check the volume that is extruded to ensure that it is the correct volume by producing a test piece. | |
| Bed leveling: | 1.Check whether the print bed is horizontal so that there will be no problem with uneven extrusion, and layers to be separated while printing. |
| 2.On paper, or with other means, one needs to measure the distance of the nozzle to the print bed. |
When 3D printing with PEEK, users may encounter some common issues, including printing defects and maintenance challenges. Below is a detailed discussion of these issues and their corresponding solutions.
| Common Issues | Impact | Solutions |
| Material Specification Issues | Decreased print performance | 1. Store in a dry environment |
| 2. Dry PEEK 3D printer filament at 120°C for 6-12 hours before printing to remove moisture | ||
| Discoloration | Affected appearance and performance | 1. Ensure nozzle temperature does not exceed the recommended range (380-400°C) to avoid overheating |
| 2. Optimize print speed and layer height to reduce heat accumulation | ||
| Warping | Inaccurate dimensions | 1. Use an enclosed print chamber to maintain stable environmental temperature |
| 2. Use high-temperature adhesive or PEI material for the print bed to improve adhesion | ||
| Poor Layer Adhesion | Insufficient strength | Adjust print temperature and speed, and increase layer thickness |
| Moisture Sensitivity | Decreased print quality | Thoroughly dry PEEK 3D printer filament before printing |
| Clogging | Print stops, material cannot be extruded | Clean the nozzle and check the extruder settings |
| Uneven Cooling | Deformation of printed parts | Optimize cooling fan settings and maintain stable temperature |
| Maintenance Item | Frequency | Recommended Measures |
| Clean Nozzle | After Each Print | Regularly check and clean the nozzle to prevent clogging and ensure smooth material flow |
| Check Heating Elements | Monthly | Regularly inspect the working condition of heating elements to ensure accurate temperature settings for the nozzle and print bed |
| Maintain Print Chamber Temperature | Before Each Print | Ensure the print chamber temperature is maintained within the recommended range to avoid temperature fluctuations affecting print quality |
| Regular Calibration | Every 3 Months | Regularly calibrate the printer, including bed leveling and extruder calibration, to ensure printing accuracy |
PEEK is widely used in the following fields due to its excellent performance: PEEK is widely used in the following fields due to its excellent performance:
It is used for making light weight strength components of automobiles and other machinery.
It was previously employed to generate components with high heat tolerant and corrosion resistant properties.
In implants and medical devices, the choice is due to its being bio-compatible and chemically inert.
PEEK 3D printer filament successful cases in medicine
If you have any questions about PEEK 3D printer filament, please contact us and we will answer them for free.
Zhejiang Bw Industrial invested 15 million yuan in the newly built PEEK application technology research and development center, which has been put into use. With the help of this research and development center, our technical personnel can provide many technical services for the PEEK industry, mainly including:
