Polyetheretherketone polymer manufacturer UK Victrex is developing new additive manufacturing materials (AM)The first is a high-strength polyaryl ketone (PAEK) laser-sintered (LS) material that reduces the refresh rate and improves the recycling of unsintered powder. The second is a filament, its Z-direction. The tensile strength is better than the existing PAEK material, and it has better printability in terms of silk fusion (FF). A detailed report of the technology will be presented at the Biennial Additive Manufacturing Conference of the University of Exeter Additive Manufacturing Center (CALM) in September 2018.
The demonstration frame is produced by additive manufacturing of a special PAEK resin.
Victrex CEO Jakob Sigurdsson commented: 'The application of these new PAEK materials in the field of additive manufacturing marks a decisive step that can revolutionize many areas, including aerospace, medical and electronics. And this breakthrough is inseparable from Victrex's continued intensive R&D and collaboration with other organizations that have achieved many innovations in additive manufacturing. Through these partnerships, we have seen additive manufacturing. The demonstration part of the material handling process, combined with high-performance materials to add design inspiration, we are confident to create truly innovative parts.'
This technology can take advantage of additive manufacturing to reduce costs, reduce time-to-market, and produce complex parts that cannot be produced by traditional manufacturing. The existing PAEK materials on the market are also used in additive manufacturing, but most of them are used. It is designed for traditional manufacturing methods such as injection molding. Therefore, some properties of these materials are not particularly suitable for additive manufacturing. The PAEK material originally used for laser sintering is extremely low in recycling, and a new powder refreshing print bed is required, and the PEEK fiber for wire fusion has poor adhesion between layers, which also leads to Z-direction tensile strength. reduce.
The new polymer developed by Victrex exhibits a satisfactory low refresh rate (increased recycling of unsintered powder) and exhibits similar performance in laser sintering with good mechanical properties and printability. .
John Grasmeder, Victrex's chief scientist, explained: 'The breakthrough in technology has paved the way for the use of PAEK materials in additive manufacturing. The newly developed polymer enables the recycling of laser sintered powder to proceed smoothly. Manufacturing components using recycled powder does not cause large property damage. We believe that after running, all unsintered powder can be reused. This will result in a significant reduction in material costs, up to 40 in the current situation. % of the polymer is wasted and cannot be recycled.'
Victrex is leading a consortium of companies and institutions, and is funded by UK innovation agencies. In 2016, a number of pioneering research and developments were carried out to advance additive manufacturing technologies, especially for low-temperature polymers. Composite materials are used in additive manufacturing in the aerospace sector. Other members of the consortium include Airbus Group, EOS, CALM, E3D Online, HiETA Technology, Southwest Metalworking Center and 3T-RPD.
The new Victrex PAEK filament and powder belt was developed by other members of the alliance. EOS recently unveiled a new automated equipment manufacturing platform for laser sintering on an industrial scale (EOS P 500) with the ability to print high performance polymers at high temperatures. The materials selected by the Alliance will be evaluated by the EOS R&D Center for processing on the EOS system and for the EOS P 500 platform. Victrex is planning to continue commercial testing of a new PAEK fiber product with partner E3D. E3D recently introduced a new water-cooled filament extruder optimized for this new PAEK filament.
Victrex has more than 35 years of expertise in the development or application of new polymers, including the development of new polymers and new components. This high-strength, lightweight PEEK polymer has excellent wear resistance, high temperature resistance and resistance. Fatigue and corrosion resistance can support a variety of needs, making the design more free and less costly.