Polyetherketoneketone (PEKK) Carbon is a carbon fiber-filled thermoplastic commonly used for its ease of processing while possessing the properties of other PAEK high-performance polymers. Similar to Kimya PEKK-A, PEKK Carbon is a carbon fiber-filled thermoplastic polymer allowing for an increase in ease of processing compared to PEI and PEEK. PEKK Carbon offers temperature resistance, is flame retardant, and complies with REACH standard parts that are rigid and heat resistant.
Designed for technical applications, PEKK Carbon is ideal for components exposed to acids and hydrocarbons such as components in engine housings.
Printing Difficulty: Challenging/Expert
PEKK Carbon can be purchased from AON3D directly by contacting help@aon3d.com.
PEKK Carbon is extremely susceptible to moisture uptake. Bubbles, popping noises, excessive oozing, and stringing may occur if it has been hydrated.
The filament can be dried in a convection oven at 120ºC for 4-6 hours before processing and fed from a low humidity environment. When not in use, store in a sealed package or container with silica desiccant to inhibit moisture absorption. Properly dry the material before adjusting process parameters to obtain reliable and consistent results. Our filament dry storage and feed system setup prevents filament moisture uptake to keep the material printing process free of moisture, contact help@aon3d.com for more information.
For more information, see the Filament Drying and Moisture Control guide.
For instructions on how to inspect the AON3D build plates, refer to the Inspect and Clean Build Plates procedure.
PEKK Carbon prints best on the CF-PEEK composite plate. We recommend the CF-PEEK composite plate if re-usability is required. The CF-PEEK composite plate offers the best re-use capability and maintains its integrity after several uses.
Higher extrusion temperatures are needed to achieve adequate first layer adhesion on the CF-PEEK composite plate. If you are going to increase the first layer extrusion temperature for increased adhesion, ensure that the temperature gradient spans over many layers. You must compensate for toolhead shrinkage by gradually adjusting the extrusion temperature in the part to optimal extrusion temperatures. For more information about sacrificial temperature gradient rafts, see the Kimya PEKK-A material guide.
First layer adhesion can be increased by increasing the Extrusion Temperature or reducing First Layer Speed. First Layer Height and First Layer Width with a value of 120-150% for both is generally sufficient for PEKK Carbon.
| First Layer Extrusion Temperature | First Layer Speed |
|---|---|
| 390-410ºC | 15-25 mm/s |
For more information, see the Build Platform Adhesion guide.
PEKK Carbon prints best on the High-Temperature Build Plate.
Part adhesion is very strong, often causing part and/or build platform damage during part removal. If needed, a sacrificial temperature gradient raft can facilitate part removal. For more information about reducing damage to the part and/or build platform, see the Kimya PEKK-A material guide.
First Layer Height and First Layer Width with a value of 100-120% for both is generally sufficient for PEKK Carbon.
| First Layer Extrusion Temperature | First Layer Speed |
|---|---|
| 340-350ºC | 15-25 mm/s |
For more information, see the Build Platform Adhesion guide.
PEKK Carbon prints best on the High-Temperature Build Plate.
Part adhesion is very strong, often causing part and/or build platform damage during part removal. If needed, a sacrificial temperature gradient raft can facilitate part removal. For more information about reducing damage to the part and/or build platform, see the Kimya PEKK-A material guide.
First Layer Height and First Layer Width with a value of 100-120% for both is generally sufficient for PEKK Carbon.
| First Layer Extrusion Temperature | First Layer Speed |
|---|---|
| 340-350ºC | 15-25 mm/s |
For more information, see the Build Platform Adhesion guide.
For best results, process settings should be adjusted based on model geometry. If you require process development support, our Applications Engineering team can help! Send us a message at help@aon3d.com to consult with one of our Additive Manufacturing Specialists.
Optimal extrusions are matt dark gray with an overall gritty surface texture. PEKK Carbon requires the use of at least a 0.40mm and wear-resistant nozzles such as hardened steel, tungsten-carbide coated steel, or tungsten carbide due to its abrasive nature. Use slower printing speeds between 20-40 mm/s for optimal mechanical properties and print quality. Higher extrusion temperatures and moderate printing speeds help the polymer flow more easily, decreasing the accumulation of stress between each layer; interlayer welding strength is increased.
Do not be afraid of using high extrusion temperatures in fear of part warping and/or deformation from uneven crystallization. Higher extrusion temperatures may enhance interlayer welding strength with minimal effects on crystallization rate.
Ooze Control parameters may be focused on adjusting the Coasting Distance and/or Wipe Distance instead of the Retraction Distance due to the carbon reinforcement. If undesired seams and stringing are produced, larger Coasting Distance and/or Wipe Distance may reduce blobs and stringing defects near seams.
| Setting | AON M2+ | AON-M2 2020 | AON-M2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extrusion Temperature | 340-390ºC | 340-390ºC | 340-390ºC |
| Bed Temperature | 165ºC | 150ºC | 150ºC |
| Chamber Temperature | 135ºC | 135ºC | 120ºC* |
| Print Speed | 20-40 mm/s | 20-40 mm/s | 20-40 mm/s |
| Nozzle Size | 0.40-1.00 mm | 0.40-1.00 mm | 0.40-1.00 mm |
| Preferred Build Platform | CF-PEEK Composite Plate | High-Temperature Build Plate | High-Temperature Build Plate |
*The AON-M2 is unable to reach chamber temperatures above 120ºC. This constraint may limit your ability to optimally print PEKK Carbon. The AON-M2 2020 and AON M2+ can reach chamber temperatures up to 135ºC, contact AON3D directly at help@aon3d.com for more information.
Composite material filaments are abrasive.
AON3D recommends using a heater block assembly equipped with a tungsten carbide nozzle to improve surface finish and reduce nozzle wear.
Contact the Customer Success team at help@aon3d.com to order the assembly.
There is currently no compatible support material for PEKK Carbon; prints require self-support. For easy support removal and good support top/bottom contact layer adhesion, use only 1 Upper/Lower Vertical Separation Layer. More than 1 separation layer may risk the supported region of the part to detach and warp.
For more information, see the Using Supports and Support Materials guide.
All AON3D-validated materials are available in the SuperSlicer configuration bundle. Refer to SuperSlicer Installation and Update to install and update the SuperSlicer software. Follow the instructions to update to the latest version to ensure you have access to all available materials.
Simplify3D® sample profiles for PEKK Carbon are available in the Downloadable Assets section.
Allow all machine components to reach room temperature before proceeding further. Failure to allow components to cool down will result in thermal injury (burns) to personnel.
Shrinkage, deformation, and warpage due to thermal shock may occur from removing the part before letting the machine cool. Instructions for removing the part from the build platform and additional support material can be found on the Build Platform Adhesion and Using Supports and Support Materials guides.
PEKK Carbon prints may separate easily from the CF-PEEK composite plate by hand at room temperature. The use of a spatula can facilitate part removal if needed.
PEKK Carbon prints may not separate easily from the High-Temperature Build Plate given a sudden impact. Damage to the part and/or the build platform may occur during part removal. The use of a spatula can facilitate part removal if needed.
PEKK Carbon prints may not separate easily from the High-Temperature Build Plate given a sudden impact. Damage to the part and/or the build platform may occur during part removal. The use of a spatula can facilitate part removal if needed.
For more information on material safety and specific material properties, see the manufacturer’s website.
| Property | Value | Test Method |
|---|---|---|
| Diameter | 1.75 mm, +/- 0.1 mm | INS-6712 |
| Density | 1.27 g/cm³ | ISO 1183-1 |
| Glass Transition Temperature | 160°C | ISO 11357-1 |
| Moisture Rate | <1% | INS-6711 |
*All data as reported by Kimya Technical Data Sheet as downloaded on 3/25/2021. Print conditions listed on the Technical Data Sheet.
High temperatures are needed to optimally print PEKK Carbon. This makes stringing/oozing a common issue due to these high processing temperatures.
If stringing/oozing occurs even when properly dried and fed from a low humidity environment, slightly increase Coasting Distance and/or Wipe Distance instead of the Retraction Distance.