Effect of Printing Parameters on Mechanical Performance of Material-Extrusion 3D-Printed PEEK Specimens at the Point-of-Care

Additive manufacturing (AM) of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) biomaterials using the material-extrusion (MEX) method has been studied for years. Because challenging process, precisely controlling printing parameters is crucial. This study aimed to investigate effects such as orientation and position on mechanical properties. Thus, 34 samples were printed PEEK filament MEX process. Samples divided into two main groups (A,B) according their orientations (A: 1–3) positions build plate (B: 4–8). Mechanical tensile tests performed evaluate different The means modulus in 3D-printed XY (group 1), XZ 2), ZX 3) not significantly (p-value = 0.063). Groups 1 2 had smaller distributions than group 3 strength. t-test showed that overall measurements 4–8 did differ 0.315). indicated vertical horizontal no significant influence There differences strength between top/bottom five lateral positions. Reliability with good properties could be a step forward patient-specific implants.