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Evonik has developed a new polymer filament, based on PEEK, which can be used in additive manufacturing of orthopaedic implants.
This new filament—the first of its kind, according to Evonik—can be used in fused filament fabrication technology (FFF) and is based on the company’s VESTAKEEP® i4 G, a highly-viscous, implant-grade PEEK.
According to Kenneth Ross, Medical Group Manager–North & South America, “companies are already evaluating [the new filament] for spine and cranial applications and we expect others to follow.”
Evonik will initially offer a testing-grade version of the new filament for FFF technology, which has the same processing and mechanical product properties of the implant grade, but without the documentation needed for regulatory approval in medical device applications.
Implant-grade material will be available in 1Q19.
The natural-colored filament, which has a diameter of 1.75 mm, is wound on 500 gram spools suitable for direct use in standard FFF 3D printers for PEEK materials.
Source: Evonik
