Introduction

PEEK, like PEI (ULTEM) and PEKK, is a high-performance polymer (a.k.a. “ultra polymer” and sometimes “super polymer”) that is able to maintain its mechanical properties in challenging environments. Its continuous use temperature (CUT) can go over 250°C, and it is resistant to almost all chemicals except for nitric and sulphuric acids. For decades, this high-performance thermoplastic has been used in demanding industries such as aerospace, oil and gas, and more.

The 3D printing of high-performance polymers like PEEK is, however, a challenge. It requires a high-temperature extruder and a heated chamber – among other tightly monitored elements – above and beyond what standard FFF 3D printers offer. And whereas the PEEK 3D printer market used to be a niche with very few players, today, many manufacturers claim that their printers are suitable for PEEK and PEI 3D printing. Aniwaa’s 3D printer catalog lists over 90 high-temperature 3D printers!

But boasting high-temperature extruders and heated chambers is often not enough. Thus, our goal here is to select high-temperature 3D printers that stand out from the rest, and not only in terms of hardware. We also take into account a range of factors such as manufacturer maturity, feedback from our network, availability, and distribution.

Of course, this doesn’t mean they’re the only ones out there, but they are some of the most reliable solutions for high-performance polymer AM (additive manufacturing). We mention a few cost-effective options and industry-specific machines in separate sections so as to provide a comprehensive overview nonetheless.

We work with a large number of distributors and brands worldwide– contact us for a personalized recommendation based on your project and location.

High-temperature 3D printers 2024: our selection

The table below recaps our selection of some of the best PEEK 3D printer options. The goal is to provide a quick, visual overview of the market; there are of course numerous other factors to take into account (certifications, software, customer service, …) to get the full picture for each solution and eventually make the right choice.

Below, we mapped these PEEK 3D printers by price and chamber temperature. Again, there are other factors to take into account (manufacturer maturity, customer service, warranties, material choice, certifications, etc.) – this is just a preliminary, simplistic view of the high-temperature 3D printer market.

An overview of our 2024 PEEK 3D printer selection

In this section, we give some more context and information about each high-temp 3D printer from our selection.

There are a few other brands that produce good quality PEEK and PEI printers, which almost made it to the main list. However, we didn’t include them for different reasons (e.g. product not yet released, limited distribution network, and/or technical specs or features not up to par with the rest of the list, etc.).

Tip: Use our 3D printer catalog to see the full list of high-performance polymer 3D printers!

Alternative PEEK 3D printers for specific needs

While the high-temperature 3D printers from our selection are excellent options for most applications, some use cases require more specific solutions. Here are a few examples.

Medical PEEK 3D printing

PEEK is a great contender for medical applications. It is namely used for long-term medical implants, as medical-grade PEEK is biocompatible and highly resistant. With certified materials and certified AM systems, it is possible to produce certified medical parts.

Another notable benefit is that PEEK implants, in contrast to metal implants, don’t interfere with scanning machines (MRI, CT, x-rays, …).

The three main medical PEEK 3D printer brands are Apium, VeraShape, and Kumovis.

• Apium M220
• VeraShape VSHAPER MED
• Kumovis R1

Cost-effective PEEK printers

If you have a smaller budget but you’re willing to spend more time on tweaking and adjusting, there are more affordable options out there such as:

• CreatBot PEEK-300
• IEMAI MAGIC HT PRO
• INTAMSYS FUNMAT HT

Affordable PEEK printer prices can start from around $5,000. They are able to print PEEK, but the resulting quality may not meet your standards, especially in terms of repeatability. These machines are however more than capable of printing other engineering-grade materials.

Custom PEEK 3D printers

Some brands like Tobeca, Qualup (SpiderBot), or Hyrel 3D aren’t widespread but offer interesting, tailored solutions for PEEK 3D printing.

Their custom PEI/PEEK 3D printers can be suitable for R&D applications or any case where specific sizes and components are needed.

Large, industrial PEEK 3D printing systems

Warpage is often an issue when 3D printing large parts. Hence, 3D printing large parts with a thermoplastic as challenging as PEEK is double the risk.

Some manufacturers that are specialized in large-scale 3D printers claim that they are also able to print PEEK (e.g. Cincinnati, BigRep, CEAD, Cosine Additive, etc.).

We know the PEEK printer market like the back of our hands. Contact us now to save time and receive expert advice based on your needs and budget. We’ll put you in touch with the right manufacturer or PEEK 3D printer distributor near you.

Key characteristics and properties of PEEK

Pros of PEEK filament

PEEK is a dimensionally stable, semi-crystalline thermoplastic. It can tolerate significant changes in temperature, humidity, and other conditions.

Here are some of the main benefits of PEEK:

• Useful operating temperature (a.k.a. continuous use temperature) of up to 250°C-260°C
• Low flammability and low levels of toxic emissions during combustion
• High mechanical strength
• Low moisture absorption; water and steam resistant
• Chemical resistance (with exceptions)
• Biocompatible
• Lightweight

PEEK drawbacks

This material also has a few limits:

• Complex to 3D print
• PEEK is expensive
• Low impact strength
• Non-resistant to UV light

Alternative high-performance materials

PEEK isn’t the ultimate “one size fits all” material. In many cases, other engineering materials or fiber-filled materials (composites) can substitute the need for PEEK. Here are a few examples.

PEKK (Poly Ether Ketone Ketone): a good alternative to PEEK

PEKK and PEEK are both part of the same polymer family called PAEK (Poly Aryl Ether Ketone). They boast similar properties in terms of strength, chemical resistance, and more. However, PEKK can be easier to 3D print than PEEK.

It is possible for filament manufacturers to tweak its melting point, and therefore generally requires lower temperatures. PEKK can also have a slightly higher glass transition temperature (Tg) than PEEK.

PEEK vs. ULTEM (PEI)

PEEK and ULTEM® (PEI) are quite similar, but have their differences:

• Cost: ULTEM® is more cost-effective than PEEK.
• Impact strength: PEI has lower impact strength than PEEK.
• Tensile strength: PEEK has higher tensile strength than PEI.
• Certifications: ULTEM® (especially the ULTEM® 9085 blend) has received numerous aerospace certifications and is easier to 3D print.
• Temperature resistance: PEEK features higher temperature resistance than PEI.
• Printability: ULTEM® is generally easier to 3D print than PEEK is.

What’s the difference between PEI and ULTEM?

ULTEM® is actually a family of PEI products that was patented and developed at General Electric in the 1980s. SABIC, a company based in Saudi Arabia, acquired GE’s Plastics Division several decades later and now manufactures ULTEM® in the form of resins or foam. 3D printing material providers then transform it into granulates, filament, etc.

Continuous fiber reinforcement

It is also possible to reinforce PEEK or PEKK parts with a continuous strand of carbon fiber. This makes it possible to benefit from high-performance material properties (e.g. chemical resistance) while bringing a drastic increase in part strength.

Chopped fiber reinforcement (“filled” materials)

There are a number of “filled” material options. A filled material is a material that has been reinforced with, for example, chopped fibers such as carbon fiber or glass fiber. These materials are considered composites and can be good alternatives in some cases (learn more about composites here).

Common examples of filled materials include PEEK-CF (a carbon-fiber-enforced PEEK) and PA-CF (carbon-fiber-enforced Nylon).

Main requirements for 3D printing PEEK and PEI high-performance polymers

High-temperature extruder

The melting point for PEEK materials is 343°C. This means that the extruder needs to be able to reach that temperature or higher. The hotend extruder must also be all-metal and be resistant to abrasion.

Heated print bed

To print PAEK high-performance polymers, a heated bed is mandatory, and it must be able to reach temperatures of 120°C at the very least. This ensures correct adhesion and overall 3D print quality.

Closed, heated chamber

PEEK is highly prone to shrinkage and warpage (sometimes called warping). Ideally (and this is especially important for larger parts), the chamber temperature should be able to go up to or over 143°C, which is PEEK’s glass transition temperature (Tg).

The team at Vision Miner explains heated chambers very well in the video below:

It is extremely important to be in control of these temperatures and to keep them constant, as fluctuations can easily affect print quality. However, these aren’t the only conditions for printing high-quality PEEK parts; post-treatment also plays a major role.

In order for PEEK to crystallize as well as possible – and thus for the printed parts to be as strong and stable as possible – the material must be cooled gradually.

Unlike PLA parts, which can be removed from the tray almost as soon as they are printed, waiting several hours for the temperature of a PEEK or ULTEM part to drop to room temperature is necessary. This avoids disturbing the material’s crystallization process.

Some PEEK printers provide precise control over the chamber’s cooling rate.

Applications for high-performance polymer 3D printing

PEEK and ULTEM® 3D printing is mostly useful for manufacturers requiring strong prototypes and/or end parts that can withstand extreme conditions, in a variety of industries.

Some manufacturers even present PEEK 3D printing as an alternative to 3D printing metal parts.

Aerospace, automotive and military

Being lightweight yet strong and resistant, PEEK and ULTEM® 3D printed end parts are increasingly popular in aerospace, automotive and military fields.

ULTEM® has actually been used in the aerospace industry for decades and is heavily certified for related applications (e.g. airplane interiors).

Oil and gas

Thanks to PEEK’s chemical resistance and impermeability, oil and gas manufacturers can use the material to 3D print air valves and other parts.

Medical implants

PEEK and PEI are biocompatible, and can therefore be used for implants or other medical use cases.

Semiconductors

With PEEK’s electrical integrity it is possible to 3D print flexible circuit boards, as well as wire and cable insulation.

Cost of PEEK and ULTEM (PEI) 3D printing

PEEK 3D printers and ULTEM 3D printer prices

Most PEEK-ready 3D printers are available at prices ranging from $25K to $150K, and can even go up to $250K. It might seem like a hefty price tag, but these professional additive manufacturing systems feature specific technology that is difficult to integrate into a machine.

However, some PEEK 3D printers under $10,000 do exist.

PEEK and ULTEM filament price

PEEK filament price

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) material is among the most expensive plastics on the market: its price can range from about $400 to $700 per kilo.

ULTEM filament price

PEI, or ULTEM®, is a cheaper alternative to high-performance PEEK material. The cost per kilogram can vary from $150 to around $280.

PEEK 3D printer FAQ