The Transfer Film Effects Induced by 3D Printing Polyether-ether-ketone with Excellent Tribological Properties

Abstract The building principle of additive manufacturing determines that the printing orientation is one of the key factors affecting the tribological properties of joint prosthesis. Here, fused filament fabrication was used to fabricate polyetheretherketone (PEEK) joint prosthesis, and the effects of printing orientation on the tribological properties of PEEK were investigated by pin-on-plate tribometer in 25% new born calf serum. The UHMWPE transfer film formed on the surface of PEEK, which could be attributed to the mechanically capture of wear debris by the 3D printing groove morphology. The transfer film could be regulated by printing orientation of PEEK. When the printing orientation was parallel to the sliding direction of wear, the number and size of transfer film was larger due to more steady stress compared to other directions. As a result, the friction coefficient, wear volume and wear rate of friction pairs were all decreased from 90° to 0° direction. In addition, the concept and equation of transfer rate was proposed to quantitatively evaluate the ability of wear debris came into being transfer film on the surface of PEEK.