Vacuum 3D Printing Process Mechanism and Performance of Polyether Ether Ketone and Composites for Space Extreme Environments

doi:10.3901/JME.260085

Abstract

Abstract: Polyether ether ketone and its composites exhibit excellent adaptability to space environments, demonstrating significant potential for in-space 3D printing applications. The key to conducting in-space 3D printing lies in addressing the challenges posed by space extreme environment conditions, particularly the high-vacuum environment. This study investigated vacuum 3D printing of polyether ether ketone (PEEK) and its short carbon fiber-reinforced composite (SCF/PEEK), revealing the influence of vacuum-induced heat and mass transfer mechanisms including heat dissipation suppression and micro pore thermal expansion on mechanical properties. Dominated by radiative heat dissipation in vacuum, the reduced melt solidification rate enhanced molecular orientation motion and interlayer diffusion, increasing the crystallinity of vacuum-printed PEEK and SCF/PEEK from 14.9% and 25.2% for ambient pressure to 27.8% and 30.5%, respectively. Consequently, the Z-direction tensile strength improved by 212.5% and 295.9% compared to ambient conditions. However, the SCF/PEEK filament contained many inherent micro pores that expanded under the drive of vacuum pressure difference, increasing porosity and reducing longitudinal and transverse tensile performance. In contrast, PEEK filament, with fewer initial voids, benefitted from enhanced melt flow under vacuum’s slower heat dissipation, reducing porosity and improving both longitudinal and transverse tensile properties. This research provided theoretical guidance for on-orbit validation of in-space 3D printing, contributing significantly to the in-situ manufacturing of space structures.

Key words: vacuum 3D printing, PEEK and composites, heat and mass transfer mechanisms, microstructure, performance

CLC Number:

LIU Tengfei, YANG Tengrui, TIAN Xiaoyong, WU Lingling, LI Dichen. Vacuum 3D Printing Process Mechanism and Performance of Polyether Ether Ketone and Composites for Space Extreme Environments[J]. Journal of Mechanical Engineering, 2026, 62(3): 271-281.

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