PEEK surface modification methods and effect of the laser method on surface properties

Abstract

Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) is one the most interesting polymeric materials used in the industry today, such as aerospace, nuclear reactors, polymer electrolyte membranes and especially in biomedical applications like bone implants. PEEK’s desirable properties like mechanical strength, biocompatibility, chemical resistance, radiation resistance and high thermal stability in the body make this suitable polymer choice for a bone implant. Besides these useful properties, PEEK is bio-inert in the biological environment, which is a big problem in implant application. Fortunately, there are several methods to improve the surface bioactivity of such materials. Here surface modification methods of the PEEK, including laser and their effect on the surface bioactivity were studied. Laser techniques are one of the exciting methods for PEEK surface modification because of being a secure processing method, time-consuming, easy to control the laser parameter, which leads to the control of surface properties. Several kinds of laser with different settings is used for the enhancement of the surface of PEEK, were described here. Here different surface modification techniques to enhance the adhesion and wettability of the PEEK surface studied. Along with varying categories of laser were introduced and different laser methods, which used for PEEK surface treatment is collected, that is the exciting point of this review paper.