Researchers in Japan have developed a PEEK ink that may be printed with DLP know-how. Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a high-performance plastic identified for its mechanical power, thermal resistance, and chemical stability. Conventional strategies to manufacture complicated PEEK buildings are restricted by poor decision, floor high quality, and interlayer bonding.
This methodology entails creating high-solid-content PEEK ink and utilizing DLP to supply high-precision inexperienced our bodies, adopted by one-step sintering to boost crystallinity. PEEK micron powders combined with photosensitive resins kind the ink, which is cured utilizing 405 nm UV mild. Submit-printing, the buildings are sintered in a nitrogen ambiance to attain desired mechanical and thermal properties.
The printed PEEK buildings exhibit improved thermal stability, warmth resistance, mechanical power, and corrosion resistance. Checks included publicity to hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide, acetone, and chloroform. The brand new course of permits the creation of complicated architectures with larger accuracy and higher floor high quality in comparison with conventional strategies resembling FDM.
This mission leverages the superior properties of PEEK, permitting for versatile, environment friendly, and high-resolution functions in fields like aerospace, automotive, electronics, and biomedical industries. The analysis broadens PEEK’s utility prospects, notably the place excessive structural complexity and backbone are important.