PEEK (polyetheretherketone), the highest performing thermoplastic semi-crystalline polymer, today widely used in the aerospace industry as a suitable metal alloy replacement in numerous structural applications.
The advantages that underlie PEEK are its mechanical resistance properties, thermal and chemical lightness, fundamental features in areas such as aerospace, where weight reduction reduces consumption and emissions, increasing aircraft efficiency.
Considerable weight reduction: PEEK possesses a density of 1.3 g/cm3, below half that of Aluminum (2.7g/cm3). Additionally, with its unrivaled chemical resistance, components made of PEEK can hold up to mechanical stress even in chemically aggressive environments without significant loss of mechanical properties and without the presentation of corrosion phenomena typically found in metals.
- Weight reduction
- Absence of corrosion phenomena
- Excellent electrical insulation properties, if required
Advantages of Roboze FFF technology
In addition to material advantages, further benefits are attributed to 3D printing utilization. Roboze FFF technology with its HPV extruders, allows for the printing of high viscosity materials like PEEK at extreme temperatures.
The use of 3D printing for the realization of specific components in the aerospace sector, where customization is fundamental, in respect to conventional tooling technologies, decreases cycle time and reduces costs. Roboze combines the exceptional properties of PEEK and advantages of FFF technology.
- Freedom of design and rapid design changes
- Reduction of costs and cycle time compared to CNC machining
- Reduction of material waste
- Further weight reduction with ability to easily customize infills of parts being printed according to mechanical performance required