Peek

Peng Wang, B. Zou, Hong-Chuan Xiao, Shou-Ling Ding, Chuanzhen Huang

Abstract Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is an engineering thermoplastic with good biocompatibility and excellent mechanical properties. More importantly, PEEK is a promising biomaterial that could potentially be used to replace traditional metal or ceramic parts for biomedical and aerospace applications. Compared to other processing technologies for manufacturing PEEK parts, fused deposition modeling (FDM) has numerous advantages for forming functional parts of complex structures. However, a number of challenges still exist in successfully realizing FDM of PEEK owing to its high melting temperature and high viscosity. In this paper, the FDM method was applied to achieve 3D printing of PEEK. For the first time, finite element analysis (FEA) was used to simulate the melting conditions and fluidity of PEEK in a flow channel, in order to determine the parameters required to 3D print PEEK parts with sufficient surface quality and improved mechanical properties. The simulation results were further analyzed to instruct the design of future printing systems and optimize the printing parameters. In addition, several FDM experiments were performed to study the effects of various printing parameters, including the printing temperature, printing speed, and printing layer thickness, on the mechanical properties, microstructure, and surface quality of printed PEEK parts. The results suggest that using a higher heating temperature of 440 °C, a printing speed of 20 mm/s, and a small printing layer thickness of 0.1 mm can improve the density of PEEK parts, reduce internal defects, strengthen binding between 3D printed layers and infill filaments, and reduce surface roughness. All of these efforts will contribute to the development of improved 3D printing technologies for PEEK.

Cheng-Feng Luo, Y. Liu, B. Peng, Meng-hao Chen, Zhao-Gang Liu, Zhang-Long Li, Hai-bin Kuang, Bai-Juan Gong, Zhi-Min Li, H. Sun

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a thermoplastic material widely used in engineering applications due to its good biomechanical properties and high temperature stability. Compared to traditional metal and ceramic dental materials, PEEK dental implants exhibit less stress shielding, thus better matching the mechanical properties of bone. As a promising medical material, PEEK can be used as implant abutments, removable and fixed prostheses, and maxillofacial prostheses. It can be blended with materials such as fibers and ceramics to improve its mechanical strength for better clinical dental applications. Compared to conventional pressed and CAD/CAM milling fabrication, 3D-printed PEEK exhibits excellent flexural and tensile strength and parameters such as printing temperature and speed can affect its mechanical properties. However, the bioinert nature of PEEK can make adhesive bonding difficult. The bond strength can be improved by roughening or introducing functional groups on the PEEK surface by sandblasting, acid etching, plasma treatment, laser treatment, and adhesive systems. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the research progress on the mechanical properties of PEEK for dental applications in the context of specific applications, composites, and their preparation processes. In addition, the research on the adhesive properties of PEEK over the past few years is highlighted. Thus, this review aims to build a conceptual and practical toolkit for the study of the mechanical and adhesive properties of PEEK materials. More importantly, it provides a rationale and a general new basis for the application of PEEK in the dental field.

Syazwani Mohamad Zol, M. Alauddin, Zulfahmi Said, M. I. Mohd Ghazali, Hao-Ern Lee, Durratul Aqwa Mohd Farid, Nur A'fifah Husna Zahari, Aws Hashim Ali Al-Khadim, A. H. Abdul Aziz

Poly(aryl-ether-ketone) materials (PAEKs), a class of high-performance polymers comprised of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and polyetherketoneketone (PEKK), have attracted interest in standard dental procedures due to their inherent characteristics in terms of mechanical and biological properties. Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a restorative dental material widely used for prosthetic frameworks due to its superior physical, mechanical, aesthetic, and handling features. Meanwhile, polyetherketoneketone (PEKK) is a semi-crystalline thermoplastic embraced in the additive manufacturing market. In the present review study, a new way to fabricate high-performance polymers, particularly PEEK and PEKK, is demonstrated using additive manufacturing digital dental technology, or 3-dimensional (3D) printing. The focus in this literature review will encompass an investigation of the chemical, mechanical, and biological properties of HPPs, particularly PEEK and PEKK, along with their application particularly in dentistry. High-performance polymers have gained popularity in denture prosthesis in advance dentistry due to their flexibility in terms of manufacturing and the growing interest in utilizing additive manufacturing in denture fabrication. Further, this review also explores the literature regarding the properties of high-performance polymers (HPP) compared to previous reported polymers in terms of the dental material along with the current advancement of the digital designing and manufacturing.

Jay Dondani, Janaki Iyer, S. Tran

Polymers, in general, and Poly (Ether-Ether-Ketone) (PEEK) have emerged as potential alternatives to conventional osseous implant biomaterials. Due to its distinct advantages over metallic implants, PEEK has been gaining increasing attention as a prime candidate for orthopaedic and dental implants. However, PEEK has a highly hydrophobic and bioinert surface that attenuates the differentiation and proliferation of osteoblasts and leads to implant failure. Several improvements have been made to the osseointegration potential of PEEK, which can be classified into three main categories: (1) surface functionalization with bioactive agents by physical or chemical means; (2) incorporation of bioactive materials either as surface coatings or as composites; and (3) construction of three-dimensionally porous structures on its surfaces. The physical treatments, such as plasma treatments of various elements, accelerated neutron beams, or conventional techniques like sandblasting and laser or ultraviolet radiation, change the micro-geometry of the implant surface. The chemical treatments change the surface composition of PEEK and should be titrated at the time of exposure. The implant surface can be incorporated with a bioactive material that should be selected following the desired use, loading condition, and antimicrobial load around the implant. For optimal results, a combination of the methods above is utilized to compensate for the limitations of individual methods. This review summarizes these methods and their combinations for optimizing the surface of PEEK for utilization as an implanted biomaterial.

Samreen Dallal, B. Eslami, Saeed Tiari

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a high-performance thermoplastic polymer widely recognized for its distinct mechanical strength, chemical resistance, and biocompatibility. These characteristics make it suitable for a wide range of applications, particularly in medical, aerospace, chemical, and electronics fields. Conventional processing techniques, such as 3D printing, molding, and extrusion, are widely employed for PEEK fabrication. This review critically examines recent advancements in PEEK research, with an emphasis on additive manufacturing techniques that are expanding its applications in the medical field. We provide an in-depth analysis of PEEK’s intrinsic properties, diverse processing methods, and current challenges that hinder its wider adoption. In addition to evaluating PEEK’s performance, this review compares it with alternative biomaterials—such as titanium and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)—to explore its advantages and limitations in biomedical applications. Furthermore, this review discusses cost considerations, regulatory constraints, long-term clinical performance challenges, and failure modes that are essential for validating and ensuring the reliability of PEEK in clinical use. By synthesizing the recent literature, particularly from the last decade, this review highlights the significant potential of PEEK and underscores ongoing research efforts aimed at overcoming its limitations, paving the way for its broader implementation in advanced technological applications.