Additive Manufacturing of Polyaryletherketone (PAEK) polymers and their composites

Polyaryletherketone (PAEK) polymers are unique thermoplastics certified for aerospace and biomedical applications, demonstrating exceptional thermo-mechanical characteristics and superior chemical resistance. They are adaptable to material extrusion (ME) and laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) additive manufacturing systems. While various PAEK grades for additive manufacturing (AM) exist, their printing suitability, especially inter-layer strength, is not well-understood. Adding small amounts of short carbon fibers to PAEKs enhances their stiffness and service temperature but modifies their processing, structure, and properties. This study examines the effects of the AM method (L-PBF and ME) and carbon fiber addition on the structure, mechanical properties, and crystallinity of three different PAEK polymers. We characterize and correlate tensile properties, fracture modes, degree of crystallinity, fiber length and orientations, and porosity of the samples. Our findings aim to refine AM processes and feedstock materials for semi-crystalline polymers and their composites, offering insights for designing robust, economical AM parts.