Effect of the feeding process on variable component printing of carbon fiber/polyether-ether-ketone composites

While fused filament fabrication (FFF) remains the predominant technique for polyetheretherketone (PEEK) composite printing, its inherent limitations in achieving interfacial-gradient composition control constrain the capability for variable component printing. Although 3D printing based on screw ex...

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Main Authors: Beining Zhang, Siwei Lu, Yang Li, Yunze Wang, Dichen Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:Virtual and Physical Prototyping
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Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/17452759.2025.2509612
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author Beining Zhang
Siwei Lu
Yang Li
Yunze Wang
Dichen Li
author_facet Beining Zhang
Siwei Lu
Yang Li
Yunze Wang
Dichen Li
author_sort Beining Zhang
collection DOAJ
description While fused filament fabrication (FFF) remains the predominant technique for polyetheretherketone (PEEK) composite printing, its inherent limitations in achieving interfacial-gradient composition control constrain the capability for variable component printing. Although 3D printing based on screw extrusion has recently emerged as a promising alternative for variable component composites, the key processes involved have not been systematically studied. This study employs a custom-designed screw extrusion system (16 mm diameter) with dual-material feeding capability (PEEK and 40 wt% carbon fiber/PEEK) to systematically investigate feedstock delivery mechanisms governing compositional gradient formation. Experimental results demonstrate three key findings: (1) Continuous carbon fiber (CF) content regulation (0–40 wt%) is achievable through the control of bilateral feeding ratios; (2) Complete melt chamber replacement occurs at a 2560 mm CF/PEEK feeding stroke, corresponding to the maximum fiber concentration; (3) Gradual feeding ratio modulation reduces the required transition distances by 50% compared to abrupt material switching. The optimised process successfully fabricates geometrically complex gradient components, significantly expanding the multifunctional engineering potential of PEEK composites.
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series Virtual and Physical Prototyping
spelling doaj-art-9dcde2a25aab49eab2cf6251ab79f4df2025-08-20T03:25:59ZengTaylor & Francis GroupVirtual and Physical Prototyping1745-27591745-27672025-12-0120110.1080/17452759.2025.2509612Effect of the feeding process on variable component printing of carbon fiber/polyether-ether-ketone compositesBeining Zhang0Siwei Lu1Yang Li2Yunze Wang3Dichen Li4State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing System Engineering, School of Mechanical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of ChinaState Key Laboratory for Manufacturing System Engineering, School of Mechanical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of ChinaState Industry-Education Integration Centre for Medical Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of ChinaNational Medical Products Administration (NMPA) Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Additive Manufacturing Medical Devices, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of ChinaState Key Laboratory for Manufacturing System Engineering, School of Mechanical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of ChinaWhile fused filament fabrication (FFF) remains the predominant technique for polyetheretherketone (PEEK) composite printing, its inherent limitations in achieving interfacial-gradient composition control constrain the capability for variable component printing. Although 3D printing based on screw extrusion has recently emerged as a promising alternative for variable component composites, the key processes involved have not been systematically studied. This study employs a custom-designed screw extrusion system (16 mm diameter) with dual-material feeding capability (PEEK and 40 wt% carbon fiber/PEEK) to systematically investigate feedstock delivery mechanisms governing compositional gradient formation. Experimental results demonstrate three key findings: (1) Continuous carbon fiber (CF) content regulation (0–40 wt%) is achievable through the control of bilateral feeding ratios; (2) Complete melt chamber replacement occurs at a 2560 mm CF/PEEK feeding stroke, corresponding to the maximum fiber concentration; (3) Gradual feeding ratio modulation reduces the required transition distances by 50% compared to abrupt material switching. The optimised process successfully fabricates geometrically complex gradient components, significantly expanding the multifunctional engineering potential of PEEK composites.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/17452759.2025.2509612CF/PEEKvariable component compositesscrew extrusion printing
spellingShingle Beining Zhang
Siwei Lu
Yang Li
Yunze Wang
Dichen Li
Effect of the feeding process on variable component printing of carbon fiber/polyether-ether-ketone composites
Virtual and Physical Prototyping
CF/PEEK
variable component composites
screw extrusion printing
title Effect of the feeding process on variable component printing of carbon fiber/polyether-ether-ketone composites
title_full Effect of the feeding process on variable component printing of carbon fiber/polyether-ether-ketone composites
title_fullStr Effect of the feeding process on variable component printing of carbon fiber/polyether-ether-ketone composites
title_full_unstemmed Effect of the feeding process on variable component printing of carbon fiber/polyether-ether-ketone composites
title_short Effect of the feeding process on variable component printing of carbon fiber/polyether-ether-ketone composites
title_sort effect of the feeding process on variable component printing of carbon fiber polyether ether ketone composites
topic CF/PEEK
variable component composites
screw extrusion printing
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/17452759.2025.2509612
work_keys_str_mv AT beiningzhang effectofthefeedingprocessonvariablecomponentprintingofcarbonfiberpolyetheretherketonecomposites
AT siweilu effectofthefeedingprocessonvariablecomponentprintingofcarbonfiberpolyetheretherketonecomposites
AT yangli effectofthefeedingprocessonvariablecomponentprintingofcarbonfiberpolyetheretherketonecomposites
AT yunzewang effectofthefeedingprocessonvariablecomponentprintingofcarbonfiberpolyetheretherketonecomposites
AT dichenli effectofthefeedingprocessonvariablecomponentprintingofcarbonfiberpolyetheretherketonecomposites