Additive Manufacturing of Poly(Ether‐Ketone‐Ketone)/Short Carbon Fibers Composites and Thermophysical Properties

ABSTRACT In this work, the thermal conductivity, linear coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and dynamic mechanical properties of the 3D printed high‐performance poly (ether‐ketone‐ketone) (PEKK) composites reinforced with 10 and 20 wt% short carbon fiber (SCF) were investigated. The PEKK/SCF composites were printed in two configurations via edge orientation and base orientation. Edge orientation printed composites exhibited better thermal conductivity and storage modulus than those of base orientation. Scanning electron microscope revealed uniform distribution of SCF in the PEKK matrix and confirmed the fibers' orientation in the printing direction. The CTE of the PEKK/20 wt% SCF composite printed on edge orientation with raster angle 0° reduced by 392% compared to neat PEKK. The thermal conductivity was improved by 136% while the same composite printed on base orientation exhibited ~66% improvement compared to neat PEKK. The storage modulus of the PEKK/20 wt% SCF composite printed on edge orientation exhibited an increase of 133% compared to neat PEKK.