Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a high-performance thermoplastic with excellent biocompatibility. It can be processed with material extrusion additive manufacturing but has comparatively higher melting temperatures than other polymers and needs specialized 3D printers and environmental control. Additive manufacturing (AM) of PEEK is an attractive technology for customized implants. However, post-processing is not well studied but necessary since AM inherently produces a non-uniform and stepped surface and only a low surface roughness presents hygienic properties. This presentation shows results on the grindability of extruded and 3D printed PEEK with manual and automated grinding. The experiments explored different grinding parameters including belt grit sizes leading to satisfactory low surface roughness. The different printing angles of the PEEK parts can result in grinding surface defects. It will be also discussed that the transition between semi-crystalline and amorphous morphology presents extra challenges for both, additive and subtractive manufacturing processes.
Learning Objectives:
Understand that grinding of AM PEEK can yield satisfactory surface roughness and material removal rates.
Understand that the 3D printing angles strongly influence the grinding process and result.
