Investigation of the tribological properties of samples produced with different parameters using PEEK filament by additive manufacturing

Since the Additive Manufacturing (AM) method makes it easier to produce parts with complex geometry that are difficult to produce, it has become a production method frequently used by the industry day by day. AM enables the production of parts that are difficult to produce with other production methods. In this thesis study, test samples of Ǿ10x20mm were produced from PEEK material using the AM method using different layer thickness (mm) and printing direction as production parameters. Rolled PEEK material, which is frequently used in the industry, was preferred to compare the wear performance of the samples produced with AM. Wear tests were carried out under three different loads for one hour at a speed of 2 m/s in dry and artificial body fluid. The hardness, volume loss, friction coefficient and worn surface FESEM (Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope) images of these samples produced with AM were examined. As a result of the experiments, the volume losses of the samples produced were lower in dry environment conditions, while the volume losses were higher in artificial body fluid conditions (ABF). The average friction coefficients are higher in dry environments, lower in ABF and have a lubricating effect on the friction surface. It was observed that the layer thickness and the printing direction did not have a significant effect on the hardness, volume loss and average friction coefficient. In the wear tests, the rolled sample showed better wear performance at higher loads, while the PEEK samples produced by additive manufacturing showed better wear performance at lower loads.