Evonik has developed the first human implant grade PEEK filament for 3D printing
Evonik has become the first company in the world to develop PEEK(polyether ether ketone) -based polymer filaments of human implantable quality.
As a material for 3D printing human implants, this high-performance material can be used in fuse fabrication ("FFF") technology, which is expected to enable the additive manufacturing of three-dimensional plastic parts for human medical implants.
Evonik develops world's first PEEK(polyether-etherketone) -based polymer filament at human implantable quality
This new PEEK filament is based on VESTAKEEP® i4G, a highly viscous implantable grade material produced by Evonik. It has impressive biocompatibility, biostability and X-ray penetration, is easy to process, and has been used for many years as a high-performance material in medical technology applications such as spinal implants, sports medicine and maxillofacial surgery.
Evonik will provide an additional, less expensive trial-grade material in its PEEK filament developed for FFF technology. The trial-grade material has exactly the same processability and mechanical product properties as the implantable grade material, but does not require the approval documentation required for medical device applications, providing a low-cost way to adapt the processing characteristics of this high-performance material to the printing process. The natural-colored filament, with a diameter of 1.75 mm, is wrapped around a 500g reel and is suitable for direct use on standard FFF 3D printers for PEEK materials.
This natural-colored PEEK filament, with a diameter of 1.75 mm, is wrapped around a 500g reel and is suitable for direct use on standard FFF 3D printers for PEEK materials
With the introduction of the trial grade material in Q1 2019, From VESTAKEEP® An implantable grade of material for i4G products will then be available, which provides the required extensive approval documentation.
The development of the world's first PEEK filament expands Evonik's existing product line of polymer materials for 3D printing. The specialty chemicals company is the world's leading producer of PA12 powder, which has been successfully used in additive manufacturing technology for more than 20 years. In addition to PEEK filaments and PA 12 powders, the company's 3D printing portfolio includes flexible PEBA powders.