Investigating the mechanical properties of 3D printed poly-ether-ether ketone (PEEK) polymer using Digital Image Correlation (DIC)

In aerospace and biomedical engineering applications, Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) is extensively utilized due to its superior mechanical properties and thermal stability. Despite the potential of Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)© for 3D printing PEEK, challenges such as anisotropy and deformation heterogeneity persist. This research utilizes Digital Image Correlation (3D DIC) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to investigate the mechanical behavior and microstructural characteristics of 3D-printed pure PEEK. Strain distribution and fracture surface morphology were analyzed across raster angles of 0°, 45°, and 90°, with the 0° raster angle leading to the best tensile properties and layer adhesion. These findings enhance the understanding of the PEEK’s anisotropic behavior and provide some valuable insights for optimizing its mechanical performance in additive manufacturing.