ThermaX™ PEKK-C

In the world of FDM/FFF 3D printing, there is a family of materials that has stood out clearly above all others for some years now, the PAEK family (polyaryletherketone or polyaryletherketone ether ketone). The materials belonging to this class are semi-crystalline plastics, which withstand high temperatures (around 200 ºC) while maintaining high mechanical strength values.

The PAEK family includes PEEK, PEKK and PEI. All of them have high mechanical strength, chemical resistance and high temperature flammability.

ThermaX™ PEKK-C filament is one of the materials offered by 3DXtech, a renowned North American manufacturer specialising in technical filaments for professional applications. ThermaX™ PEKK-C (PolyEtherKetoneKetone) is made from Arkema Kepstan® PEKK [60/40 copolymer] and is one of the highest performing materials in the world, while being one of the easiest ultrapolymers to print, within the constraints that these materials can present.

ThermaX™ PEKK-C filament has exceptional mechanical, thermal and chemical resistance properties, making it an ideal material for some of the most demanding applications. The material has been developed in collaboration with Arkema, a leading supplier of ultra-performance materials.

The outstanding properties of 3DxTech's ThermaX™ PEKK-C filament are:

• This grade of PEKK is manufactured using the 70/30 PEKK copolymer (PEKK-C), which has superior thermal properties to PEKK-A.
• Substantially easier to print than PEEK.
• Continuous use temperature of 260 °C, and higher for short term use.
• Glass transition temperature of 162 °C (20 °C higher than PEEK).
• Melting temperature of 335 °C (allows lower printing temperatures than PEEK).
• Inherent flame resistance (UL94 V-0).
• Low smoke generation for aerospace applications.
• Excellent mechanical, thermal and chemical resistance.
• Excellent resistance to a wide range of chemicals, such as those used in the oil/gas, automotive, aerospace and chemical processing industries.

Thanks to manufacturers like 3DxTech, 3D printing with high-performance polymers no longer requires large investments. 3DxTech's ThermaX™ PEKK-C filament is compatible with most professional open source FDM 3D printers currently available on the market.

ThermaX™ PEKK-C has a lower printing temperature range than PEEK. It typically prints at extrusion temperatures of 325 - 350 °C, while PEEK often requires temperatures of 400 °C or higher. ThermaX™ PEKK has a lower crystallinity rate and degree of crystallinity than PEEK, which aids its printability. However, once printed and annealed, PEKK parts perform better than PEEK.

Despite being easier to print than other high-performance polymers, this filament is an advanced material that requires the use of a industrial 3D printer that reaches printing temperatures between 325 and 350 °C and a chamber temperature of 70 - 150 °C. Due to its difficulty in printing, this filament is recommended for expert users.