About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2026 Annual International Solid Freeform Fabrication Symposium (SFF Symp 2026)
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| Symposium
|
2026 Annual International Solid Freeform Fabrication Symposium (SFF Symp 2026)
|
| Presentation Title |
Overcoming Z-Axis Anisotropy in FFF PEEK Components via Vacuum-Assisted Epoxy Infiltration |
| Author(s) |
Francesco Tamburrino, Beatrice Aruanno, Alessandro Paoli, Armando Viviano Razionale, Sandro Barone |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Francesco Tamburrino |
| Abstract Scope |
Additive manufacturing of PEEK by Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) is limited by poor interlayer adhesion, porosity, and pronounced anisotropy in vertically printed components. This work presents a vacuum-assisted infiltration process using a low-viscosity, high-temperature epoxy resin as an efficient post-processing strategy. Evaluated under critical vertically printed conditions, digital microscopy confirms the resin effectively fills interconnected voids, promoting mechanical interlocking. Results show flexural strength increases up to 80% compared with as-printed and thermally annealed specimens, alongside improved strength-to-weight ratios and negligible material costs. Compared with conventional high-temperature thermal annealing, the proposed approach requires substantially lower processing temperatures (curing at 60°C) and shorter treatment times. This demonstrates the potential of targeted epoxy infiltration as a scalable, industrially viable post-processing route for high-performance lightweight FFF PEEK components. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Undecided |