Speciality chemicals and plastics producer Evonik (Essen / Germany; www.evonik.com) has developed a polymer filament based on PEEK for use as a high-performance material for 3D printing of medical implants. The PEEK filament is based on Evonik’s “Vestakeep i4 G”, a viscous material used in spinal implants, sports medicine, maxillofacial surgery and other medical applications.

A lower-cost “testing grade” version with the same properties as the implant-grade material will be offered, but without the documentation needed for approval in medical device applications. The natural-coloured filament has a 1.75 mm diameter and is wound on 500 g spools used in standard fused filament fabrication (FFF) 3D printers for PEEK materials. In the first quarter of 2019, Evonik said it can provide a from Vestakeep i4 G for implants with the required approval documentation.

Evonik’s existing line of polymer materials for 3D printing includes PA 12 powders and flexible polyether block amide (PEBA) powders. Eyeing the growth in the PA 12 market for 3D printing, the company earlier this year announced plans to build a new facility at Marl / Germany for PA 12 production – see Plasteurope.com of 19.03.2018.