Evonik launches world’s first carbon fiber-reinforced PEEK filament for 3D printing medical implants

● The carbon fiber content of the new VESTAKEEP® filament is 12% or 20% respectively, which can meet the requirements of implant manufacturing

● The arrangement of carbon fibers can be controlled during the 3D printing process

● The perfect combination of light weight, high strength and high toughness makes it an ideal non-metallic implant material

Evonik has successfully launched a new carbon fiber-reinforced polyetheretherketone (PEEK) filament, which can be used for fused filament manufacturing (FFF) 3D printing technology to manufacture medical implants. The newly launched products this time are VESTAKEEP® with 12% carbon fiber content
iC4612 3DF and VESTAKEEP® iC4620 with 20% carbon fiber content
3DF, customers can choose based on the mechanical properties required for 3D printed implants (such as bone plates and other artificial prostheses).

The high strength of carbon fiber and the excellent toughness of PEEK endow VESTAKEEP® iC4612 3DF and VESTAKEEP® iC4620
3DF has excellent mechanical properties. The carbon fiber arrangement of carbon fiber reinforced PEEK filament can be controlled during the 3D printing process. The material has excellent biocompatibility, making it an excellent choice for patients with metal allergies, while producing no artifacts under X-rays.

Smart biomaterials create more possibilities for patients

Marc, Head of Medical Segment Evonik
Knebel said: “We are actively developing innovative biomaterials to open up more possibilities for the application of 3D printing technology in the field of personalized medicine. This is the world’s first carbon fiber reinforced PEEK filament for permanent medical implants. Case in point. As experts with decades of experience in polymer chemistry, we combine a range of expertise, including materials science, manufacturing technology and regulatory support, to help our customers bring medical products to market faster, benefiting the wider community. Many patients.”

VESTAKEEP® iC4612 3DF and VESTAKEEP® iC4620
The diameter of 3DF is 1.75 mm, and it is wound on a wire reel. It is available in two specifications: 500 g/reel and 1000 g/reel. This wire follows a strict medical material quality management system and can be directly used in standard PEEK materials FFF/FDM
3D printing equipment.

Knebel added: “No field demonstrates the typical advantages of 3D printing such as personalization and high design freedom than the medical field. For example, in the field of trauma, 3D printing technology can significantly increase the manufacturing speed compared to traditional processes: the patient’s individuality The personalized solution can be manufactured in two or three days, greatly speeding up the overall recovery process.”

CompletePEEKfilament portfolio for the medical sector

Over the past five years, Evonik has been developing new PEEK filaments for medical 3D printing, thereby setting standards for medical additive manufacturing materials. VESTAKEEP® filament series currently has the following specifications:

Permanent Implant Level:

● VESTAKEEP® i4 3DF – Implantable Grade

● VESTAKEEP® iC4800 3DF – Bone conduction implant grade

● VESTAKEEP® iC4612 3DF – Carbon fiber reinforced (12%) implantable grade

● VESTAKEEP® iC4620 3DF – Carbon fiber reinforced (20%) implantable grade

Short-term contact with human body:

● VESTAKEEP® Care M40 3DF – Medical Grade

Scientific grade filament for implant development:

● VESTAKEEP® i4 3DF-T

As the world’s leading manufacturer of high-performance polymers in the field of additive manufacturing, Evonik has provided the medical industry with a rich portfolio of 3D printing biomaterials for more than two decades, which can be used to produce a variety of short-term or permanent contacts with the human body. medical devices. Beyond VESTAKEEP®
In addition to PEEK filament, Evonik’s biomaterials that can be used for 3D printing of medical implants also include RESOMER® bioabsorbable filaments, powders and granules.

VESTAKEEP® iC4612 3DF and VESTAKEEP® iC4620 3DF wrapped on a spool

VESTAKEEP iC4612 3DF and VESTAKEEP iC4620 3DF carbon fiber content are 12% and 20% respectively