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Materials Science in Additive Manufacturing High-performance materials in AM

favorable fabrication methods for future in-depth research modification of the elastic modulus of the PEEK material
in the field of organs-on-a-chip. Recent studies have by means of carbon fiber reinforcement [68] . Studies have
demonstrated that DLP printing technology is suitable shown that the mechanical properties of PEEK-based
for organs-on-a-chip fabrication and development, and composites reinforced by carbon fibers have a high
with the improvement and specificity optimization of the resemblance to those of the most pristine state of human
equipment hardware and preparation parameters, it is even bone than other biocompatible metals such as titanium,
possible to consistently reproduce them in tens of microns thus minimizing the problem of stress shielding and
[59]
of printing accuracy . making them an ideal raw material for human bone
repair techniques [60] .
3. High-performance polymers and
The enormous potential of PEEK and its composites has
polymer composites for additive also led researchers to investigate its application in the field
manufacturing of AM technology. By combining the two, it will be possible
The rapid development of AM technology will continue to expand the prospects for both. The combination of the
to revolutionize and reshape all areas of human life. The two is first and foremost seen in the manufacture of complex
emergence of AM technology will also provide more medical components such as dentures, biological scaffolds,
possibilities for the application of PEEK and polyimide, and implants, where the rapid prototyping capabilities of
which are already commonly used in aerospace, biomedical AM technology for complex structures are being put to
and other fields, as high-performance materials. On the great use. Several studies have recently demonstrated the
other hand, the continuous experimentation with these successful printing of pure PEEK materials using MEX
materials has also enriched the database of materials technology and good performance was observed in the
applied in various AM technologies in different fields, printed item [69-71] .
further strengthening the potential of AM technologies. In parallel, experiments on PEEK-based composites are
The following section focuses on high-performance underway. The previously mentioned PEEK-HA composites
engineering plastics – PEEK and polyimide – and their containing HA nanoparticles and PEEK-carbon fiber (CF)
[72]
combination with AM technology. composites containing carbon fibers , as well as PEEK
[73]
3.1. Polyetheretherketone composites containing carbon nanotubes and graphene
[74]
nanosheets , have all been experimented in combination
PEEK, under the trademark of Victrex , shares many with MEX technology. These experiments were generally
[60]
characteristics with polyether sulfone and is a semi- successful; for example, biocompatible PEEK-HA composites
crystalline thermoplastic polymer with tough properties . with sufficient mechanical strength were successfully
[61]
This material, which was developed in the last century, has processed by AM technology , PEEK-graphene nanoplate
[53]
shown enormous potential and value in several fields since (GNP) and PEEK-carbon nanotube (CNT) nanocomposites
its introduction. printed by AM technology also exhibited unique multiple
With a high melting point of over 300°C , high properties, reflecting their promising applications in multiple
[62]
abrasion resistance, chemical resistance, competitive fields such as oil extraction, automotive manufacturing,
dielectric strength, excellent mechanical properties , and space exploration , while the PEEK-CF composites
[74]
[63]
and potential biomechanical properties , PEEK is ideal processed by AM technology exhibit a controlled adjustment
[64]
for use in a wide range of industries, including military, of the anisotropy of the thermal properties to suit potentially
[73]
medical, electrical and electronic. Among these, PEEK specific application requirements . Alternative trials have
is particularly promising for medical applications as also been conducted for titanium implants. Figure 8 is a
it has been demonstrated that PEEK does not exhibit schematic representation of the MEX process for replacing
cytotoxicity to biological cells, nor does it induce existing titanium products by processing PEEK as a mesh in
cancerous necrosis in cells, and therefore, it has good cranioplasty .
[75]
biocompatibility . Another development idea is to modify the surface
[65]
However, the progress of this field, which has been of PEEK to overcome its biological inertness and
explored since 1987 [66] , does not stop there, and many further broaden its potential applications. Surface
studies exploring composite reinforcement of PEEK bisphosphonation of PEEK has been successfully
materials are still underway. Among the more important accomplished using alendronate, and this newly obtained
of these are PEEK composites containing bioactive material has been shown to be able to direct the biological
particles such as hydroxyapatite (HA) to cater for the behavior of macrophages and further improve the cellular
repair of active cells in living organisms [67] and the microenvironment . This could significantly improve
[76]

Volume 2 Issue 3 (2023) 7 https://doi.org/10.36922/msam.1587