Polyetheretherketone Research Articles

Enhancing the electromagnetic shielding and mechanical properties of CF/PEEK composites via low-concentration fluff and Ni-Co alloy plating

Carbon Fiber Reinforced Composites (CFRC) are increasingly used in aircraft to minimize weight and maximize structural designability. However, CFRCs have limitations in electrical conductivity and Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) resistance. This study introduces a process to overcome these drawbacks by chemically plating Carbon Fiber (CF) fabrics with a thin layer of Nickel-Cobalt (Ni-Co) alloy, thereby improving electrical conductivity. Subsequently, Sulfonated Polyether Ether Ketone (SPEEK) was applied to the Nickel-Cobalt coated Carbon Fibers (NiCo@CF). The resulting fuzzy surface effectively enhanced the interfacial interactions within the PEEK matrix. The results showed that the tensile strength, tensile modulus, flexural strength, and flexural modulus of the composite panels treated with 0.1 wt.% SPEEK sizing significantly increased by 32.3 %, 26.0 %, 167.9 %, and 20.7 %, respectively, compared to NiCO@CF/PEEK composite panels treated with no SPEEK sizing agent. Additionally, the introduction of SPEEK fostered a shift in the primary fracture mechanism from fiber pull-out or debonding to fiber fracture. Remarkably, compared to CF/PEEK composites, the electromagnetic shielding efficiency of NiCo@CF/PEEK was increased by 88.98 %, reaching 46.15 dB. Long-term testing of the S-NiCO@CF/PEEK composites in a humid and hot environment confirmed consistent electromagnetic and mechanical properties, alongside good fatigue and aging resistance. These advances make the S-NiCO@CF/PEEK composites promising for broader applications in the aircraft and aerospace fields.

Interfacial crystallization behavior and properties of T1100-grade carbon fiber reinforced PEEK composites

As a semi-crystalline resin, the crystallization behavior of Polyether ether ketone at the interface between carbon fiber and resin matrix profoundly affects the interfacial properties of carbon fiber-reinforced PEEK composite. Therefore, the research on the interfacial crystallization behavior of CF/PEEK composite is of great significance. Aiming at Chinese-made T1100-grade carbon fiber and PEEK resin matrix, the effects of cooling rate and sizing agent on the interfacial crystallization behavior of T1100-grade carbon fiber/PEEK were studied by POM and DSC, and the IFSS was tested by microdebond. The experimental results show that the increase of the cooling rate and the removal of the sizing agent can improve the nucleation ability of PEEK and promote the interfacial crystallization of PEEK. PEEK starts to form transcrystallization, when the nucleus density is increased to about 0.07/μm. The interfacial crystallization behavior has an effect on the interfacial properties. The IFSS increases with increasing cooling rate and removal of sizing agent.

Non-metal framework for removable partial dentures – A 2-year follow-up clinical report

Traditional removable partial dentures (RPDs) with cobalt-chromium frameworks have been used for several decades, restoring the masticatory function. However, these frameworks have been documented as aesthetically unacceptable due to the display of metal clasps. The patients' increased demands regarding the aesthetic aspects of rehabilitation treatment led to the introduction of new, more aesthetic materials in clinical practice. One of the main materials is polyetheretherketone (PEEK). This clinical report presents PEEK as an alternative material for fabricating RPD frameworks for a Class III Kennedy partial edentulous mandible. The framework was constructed using CAD/CAM manufacturing, and the process combined laboratory scanning, digital framework design, resin try-in milling, and PEEK framework milling. The framework showed good adaptation to the abutment teeth and surrounding tissues. The patient was followed for 2 years without complaints and was grateful for the aesthetics. During this period, there were no signs of degradation in the framework, and the clasps were still as retentive as they were at the initial appointment, with only some pigmentation of the structure being observed.

Investigating the Impact of Pore Size and Specification on Soft Tissue Ingrowth in 3D-Printed PEEK Material.

Bone pelvis tumor resection and reconstruction is a complex surgical procedure that poses challenges in soft tissue reconstruction despite advancements in stabilizing pelvic structure. This study aims to investigate the potential of using Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) material in repairing and reconstructing soft tissues surrounding pelvic implants. Specifically, the study focuses on exploring the effectiveness of 3D printed porous PEEK material in promoting cell growth and adhesion. The interaction between PEEK materials with different pore sizes (200, 400, 600µm) and different specifications (through-hole (T)/non-through-hole (C)) is evaluated by cell experiments and animal experiments. The soft tissue ingrowth potential of PEEK materials is evaluated by cell growth and adhesion observation. The findings indicate that PEEK material, particularly the T400 variant, exhibits stronger interaction with muscle tissue compared to its interaction with bone and fibrous tissue. The moderately sized pores present in the T400 material facilitate enhanced cell adhesion and penetration, thereby promoting cell growth and differentiation. PEEK materials with through-hole structures show promise for applications involving the repair and reconstruction of soft tissues and muscle tissue. The study provides valuable insights into the development and application of biomedical materials, specifically PEEK, contributing to the advancement of pelvic tumor resection and reconstruction techniques.

Enhancing bending strength in continuous drive friction welding of PEEK polymer cylinders through the innovative progressively increased welding area method

The continuous drive friction welding (CDFW) stands out for its low energy consumption within the welding realm. Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) represents a high-performance engineering thermoplastic, falling under the polyaryletherketone family. Renowned for its outstanding mechanical, thermal, and chemical attributes, PEEK finds utility across a diverse array of industries. However, the discovery of numerous voids at the weld interface has revealed limitations in the mechanical properties of PEEK welded samples. This study introduces an innovative approach named progressively increased welding area (PIWA) method, to mitigate voids within the weld interface. In general, the Taguchi method was used to optimize the process parameters of CDFW of dissimilar PEEK round rods to reduce random efforts by the trial-and-error method. It was found that the proposed PIWA method can definitely enhance the bending strength of rotational friction welded samples due to reduction of voids inside the weld interface. The optimal process parameters for the CDFW with the PIWA method involve a rotational speed of 2500 rpm, a cone angle of 120°, a cone top width of 8 mm, and a feed rate of 0.1 mm/s. The most influential factor affecting the bending strength of the PEEK welded samples is the feed rate, followed by cone angle, rotational speed, and cone top width. Specifically, the contribution ratios for feed rate, cone angle, rotational speed, and cone top width are about 71 %, 20 %, 7 %, and 2 %, respectively. The confirmation tests showed that the bending strength of the PEEK welded samples using optimal process parameters can be increased by approximately 68 % compared with the maximum bending strength of 180 MPa using the conventional method with a cone angle of 180° The proposed PIWA method has industrial applicability and practical value because this technique can enhance the mechanical properties of PEEK welded samples under low environmental pollution and energy consumption.

Investigation on the Coalescence of Filaments in Fused Filament Fabrication Process for Amorphous Polyether Ketone Ketone for Varying Nozzle Diameters and Chamber Temperatures.

The use of Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) of high-performance polymers is becoming increasingly prevalent, leading to the exploration of new applications. The use of such materials in critical cases for aerospace applications necessitates the verification of industry standards, particularly with regard to the requirements for part porosity. The authors investigate the effect of nozzle diameter and cooling temperature printing parameters on the porosity of the part by using existing modelling methods based on the sintering of cylinders and spheres and comparing the results to microscope snapshots of sections of parts. The models are able to be used as limits for predicting the longitudinal neck growth of the part. The authors show through experiments that the value of the cooling temperature of the deposited filament has a minimal effect on the outcome, while nozzle diameter has a strong impact on the resulting porosity. The modelling results show that there is a significant impact of both the nozzle diameter and cooling temperature on the porosity of the part. This implies that further refinement of the models is needed for the resulting parts to be applied in critical structures.

Electrically conductive functionalization of cured polyether ether ketone with improved bioactivity by surface-polymerization of polyaniline

The electrically conductive polyether ether ketone (PEEK) holds great promise for antibacterial and cell growth promotion under electrical stimulation, making it a promising material for next-generation implants. However, it is a significant challenge for electrically conductive functionalization of PEEK, especially for cured or shaped PEEK. In addition, PEEK’s bioactivity is still underdeveloped at present. Here, an electrically conductive PEEK with improved bioactivity is prepared through surface-polymerization of polyaniline (PANI) in the shell layer of cured PEEK. Impressively, an extremely high conductivity of 5.2 × 10−2 S/cm is achieved for the conductive PEEK among all the reported PANI/PEEK composites or blends with the optimal conductivity of 3.0 × 10−4 S/cm. It has been demonstrated that the conductive shell layer of the conductive PEEK features a PANI/PEEK semi-interpenetrating polymer network structure, explaining its conductivity. Improved cell proliferative activity is also disclosed for the conductive PEEK compared to that of the pure PEEK, and good biocompatibility and osteogenesis properties are further confirmed for the fabricated conductive PEEK scaffold. This conductive functionalization approach offers a significant advancement for developing next-generation biological implants and could be applied to other cured polymers as well.

Calculation of Dose Perturbation in Radiotherapy of Head and Neck Tumors Due to the Presence of Dental Implants: A Monte Carlo Study

Purpose: The presence of a dental implant across the irradiation beam has the potential to perturb the dose distribution. In this study, the effect of different commercial dental implants on dose distribution was investigated in electron beam therapy. Materials and Methods: The Varian 2100 C/D linear accelerator (Linac) head was modeled precisely with proper components for electron mode (6 and 9 MeV) by MCNPX 2.6.1 and was benchmarked according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) protocol, TRS -398. Dose distribution was calculated for Six different implant materials, including Titanium, Titanium alloy, Zirconia (Y-TZP), Zirconium oxide, Alumina, and PolyetherEtherKetone (PEEK), and for Four different scenarios. Results: The highest and lowest increasing doses occurred for Y-TZP (114.44% and 108.69% for 6 and 9 MeV, respectively) and PEEK (104.85% and 98.84% for 6 and 9 MeV, respectively) directly in front of the implant, respectively. By removing an implant from the jaw, an increasing dose was not seen, but an increasing dose occurred behind its depths in the bone region (31.81 %). Conclusion: The amount of dose perturbation due to the dental implant's presence depends on the beam energy, mass density, and atomic numbers of implants. Maximum and minimum increased doses were estimated for Y-TZP and PEEK implants, respectively. Considering the correction factors due to the presence of high density and atomic number dental implants are essential to estimate the accurate dose delivery in radiotherapy with electron beams.

Poly-Ether-Ether-Ketone versus dead-soft coaxial bonded retainers: a randomized clinical trial. Part 2: periodontal health and microbial biofilm assessment.

Retainers have the potential to detrimentally impact periodontal health and contribute to tooth decay. To investigate periodontal health and bacterial biofilm related to Poly-Ether-Ether-Ketone (PEEK) fixed retainers as compared to Dead-soft coaxial fixed retainer (DSC). A two-arm parallel groups single-centre randomized clinical trial. The trial included patients whose orthodontic treatment was completed and required retainers. Participants were randomly assigned into two retainer groups: PEEK retainers, prepared by computer-aided design and manufacturing into 0.8mm wire form, and DSC retainers. The objectives included assessing periodontal health through plaque accumulation index (PI), bleeding on probing (BOP), periodontal pocket depth (PPD), gingival index (GI), calculus index (CI), and alveolar bone height (ABH) assessment. Biofilm assessment involved bacteriological screening of aerobic, facultative anaerobic, mutans streptococci, and lactobacilli. The periodontal indices and microbiological screening as well as were assessed at the debonding stage (T0), 1-month (T1), 3-month (T3), and 6-month (T6) after the commencement of the trial, except for the ABH, which was recorded using periapical radiograph at T0 and T6. Single blinding of participants in addition to the bacteriological specialist. Initially, the trial enrolled 46 participants, aged between 12 and 28 years, and were randomly assigned to two groups, with 23 participants in each group. Subsequently, one participant withdrew from the trial, resulting in a total of 45 participants whose data were analysed. Assessment of the periodontal indices, excluding the CI (P = .480), revealed statistically but not clinically significant differences between groups after 6-month of retention (P = .016 of PI, P = .020 of BOP, P = .05 of PPD, and P = .01 of GI). There was slight plaque accumulation, normal PPD (approximately 1mm), healthy to mild gingivitis with a GI of less than 1 and BOP was around 10%. Concerning the ABH, there was a noticeable reduction in its score after 6 months, particularly in the PEEK group, although the difference was not statistically significant (P = .102). Furthermore, the bacteriological viable count did not show any significant difference between the groups during the recall visits. There have been no reported negative consequences. Blinding the assessor of periodontal indices was not feasible due to the nature of the intervention. The trial follow-up duration was limited. Both the PEEK and DSC retainers have comparable impacts on periodontal health and bacterial accumulation and composition during the retention period. NCT05557136.

Biomimetic Layered Hydrogel Coating for Enhanced Lubrication and Load-Bearing Capacity

Biomimetic hydrogel lubrication coatings with high wettability and low friction show great promise in tissue engineering, wound dressing, drug delivery, and intelligent sensing. Inspired by the hierarchical structure of natural cartilage, a layered hydrogel coating was constructed to functionalize rigid polyetheretherketone (PEEK). The layered hydrogel coating features a structural design comprising a top soft layer and a middle robust layer. The porous structure of the top soft hydrogel layer stores water molecules, providing surface lubrication, while the dense structure of the middle robust hydrogel layer offers load-bearing capacity. These synergistic effects of the gradient hydrogel layer endow the PEEK substrate with an ultra-low coefficient of friction (COF~0.010 at 5 N load), good load-bearing capacity (COF~0.031 at 10 N load), and excellent wear resistance (COF < 0.05 at 5 N load after 20,000 sliding cycles). This study introduces a novel design paradigm for robust hydrogel coatings with exceptional lubricity, displaying the potential application in cartilage replacement materials.

Performance-tunable thermal barrier coating for carbon fiber-reinforced plastic composites via flame spraying

Thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) are essential for improving the heat resistance of materials operating in high-temperature environments. This paper proposes a new method for manufacturing double-layered TBC with graded porosity for carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) composites. The TBC was created by a flame spraying process, consisting of relatively dense and porous layers: (1) a dense layer was produced by spraying yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) particles directly onto neat carbon fabric substrate and (2) a porous layer was prepared by co-spraying YSZ particles with sacrificial polyetheretherketone (PEEK) particles. The porosity of the porous layer was controlled by varying a PEEK injection distance (D) and a PEEK feed rate (R). The correlation between porosity and thermal conductivity of the TBC layer was investigated to assess its thermal barrier performance. The TBC fabricated with the D = 5 cm and the R = 1.0 g/min offered the optimal porosity and conductivity. The 640μm-thick TBC with 34% porosity and 0.27 W/m·K thermal conductivity protected the CFRP substrate remarkably under the subjected torch at 500°C, as the TBC layer reduced the surface temperature of CFRP to 230°C. Thermomechanical analysis, following thermal shock tests, revealed that the double-layered TBC/CFRP composite retained 87% and 75% of its pristine flexural strength and modulus, respectively, while the neat CFRP composite was completely burnt out. This study explored the application of flame spray technology to develop highly effective double-layered TBCs with tunable porosity to maximize their thermal barrier performances. All results from the current study provide new insights into the design and development of TBC and CFRP composites, which will benefit a wide range of lightweight high-temperature applications.

Fabrication of a macro-micro porous structure on PEEK surface by ultrasound-assisted sulfonation

A multiscale porous surface can significantly improve the osseointegration of biomedical implants, but it cannot be facilely achieved on the Poly-ether-ether-ketone (PEEK) surface. In this work, a macro-micro porous structure was prepared on the PEEK surface by ultrasound-assisted sulfonation. The surface morphologies, chemical compositions, functional groups, surface roughness, and wettability of the porous structures at different sulfonation times were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM), and contact angle measurement, respectively. The results demonstrate that a macro-micro porous structure is formed on the PEEK surface, with macropore sizes ranging from 50 to 250 μm and micro-sized pore sizes ranging from 0.2 to 1.5 μm. Moreover, the results of in vitro cellular experiments demonstrate that the macro-micro porous structure can promote cell adhesion and proliferation of BMCSc. The formation mechanism of the multiscale porous structures has also been discussed. This novel approach may provide a simple and effective strategy for surface modification of PEEK to improve its mechanical and biological response.

Construction of biomimetic textures and modification of self-lubrication mechanisms on the surface of sulfonated polyether ether ketone films

Construction of biomimetic textures and modification of self-lubrication mechanisms on the surface of sulfonated polyether ether ketone films

Experimental investigation on low‐velocity impact performance of carbon fiber reinforced polyether ether ketone thermoplastic composite materials in room and elevated temperature

AbstractCarbon fibers woven‐ply reinforced polyether ether ketone (C/PEEK) thermoplastic composites are widely used in aerospace and high‐tech industries because of their exceptional resistance to low‐velocity impact. In this paper, experimental investigation is carried out to determine the low‐velocity impact performance of C/PEEK laminates at room temperature (RT) and high temperature (90°C and 150°C) environments. Both macroscopic and microscopic analyses are applied to examine the influence of temperature on the mechanical response and damage mode of the material. The attention of this investigation is on impact parameters such as maximum contact force, energy absorption rate, indentation depth, and damage mode. The findings show significant changes in material stiffness, rate of energy absorption, and indentation depth with rising temperature. Temperature variations have a notable effect on the PEEK matrix plasticity, C/PEEK composite interlaminar properties, crack initiation and propagation, and damage mode at the overlaps of warp and weft fibers, resulting in a transition from brittle to ductile failure.Highlights Experimental investigation is carried out to study the low‐velocity impact performance of C/PEEK. The effects of impact energy and environmental temperature on the low‐velocity impact performance of C/PEEK are investigated. The mechanism of how environmental temperature affects the damage mode of C/PEEK is investigated.

Innovative PEEK in Dentistry of Enhanced Adhesion and Sustainability through AI-Driven Surface Treatments.

This research investigates using Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) in dental prosthetics, focusing on enhancing the mechanical properties, adhesion capabilities, and environmental sustainability through AI-driven data analysis and advanced surface treatments. The objectives include improving PEEK's adhesion to dental types of cement, assessing its biocompatibility, and evaluating its environmental impact compared to traditional materials. The methodologies employed involve surface treatments such as plasma treatment and chemical etching, mechanical testing under ASTM standards, biocompatibility assessments, and lifecycle analysis. AI models predict and optimize mechanical properties based on extensive data. Significant findings indicate that surface-treated PEEK exhibits superior adhesion properties, maintaining robust mechanical integrity with no cytotoxic effects and supporting its use in direct contact with human tissues. Lifecycle analysis suggests PEEK offers a reduced environmental footprint due to lower energy-intensive production processes and recyclability. AI-driven analysis further enhances the material's performance prediction and optimization, ensuring better clinical outcomes. The study concludes that with improved surface treatments and AI optimization, PEEK is a promising alternative to conventional dental materials, combining enhanced performance with environmental sustainability, paving the way for broader acceptance in dental applications.

Compressive properties and biocompatibility of additively manufactured lattice structures by using bioactive materials

Porous bioactive materials were widely used in orthopedic implant fields because of their excellent mechanical properties and porous spaces. However, most porous types are predominantly stacked in two-dimensional configurations, which significantly limits their mechanical property range and adversely affects the modulus matching between the porous implants and surrounding bone tissues. Hence, various lattice structures were prepared using 3D printing technology with bioactive materials, and characterized by mechanical and biological tests. Numerical simulations were conducted to analyze the effect of relative density and geometric parameters on the equivalent compressive properties of the lattice structures. The results showed that the lattice structure exhibited a broad elastic modulus range, which can be adjusted to align with the mechanical properties of human cortical and cancellous bones, thereby helping to mitigate stress shielding in orthopedic implants. The biocompatibility of the 3D-printed solid materials was assessed in vitro using a cell counting assay kit-8 (CCK-8). The results indicated that poly-ether-ether-ketone (PEEK), carbon fiber reinforced PEEK (CFR/PEEK), nylon, and titanium (Ti) alloy all exhibited good biocompatibility, with no significant differences observed among the four materials. This study further enhances the understanding of bioactive lattice structures in the biomedical field and offers new possibilities for orthopedic repair.

Utilization of Water-Insoluble Carbon Nitride-Phosphotungstic Acid Hybrids in Composite Proton Exchange Membranes.

Phosphotungstic acid (HPW) can retain water in proton exchange membranes to increase proton conductivity; however, its water-soluble nature limits further application. In this work, we combined HPW and graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) via sintering to prepare water-insoluble hybrids (HWN), where HPW was chemically linked to g-C3N4 to fix HPW. Then, HWN fillers were added to a sulfonated polyether ether ketone (SPEEK) matrix to prepare composite membranes. The conductivity of the composite membrane with 10 wt% HWN is up to 0.066 S cm-1 at room temperature, which is 53% higher than that of the SPEEK control membrane (0.043 S cm-1). The composite membrane also showed stable proton conductivity after being immersed in water for 2000 h. Therefore, our study demonstrates that preparing water-insoluble nanofillers containing HPW components through sintering is a promising approach.

Study on the effect of radiation-resistant resin on water radiolysis

In recent years, the use of radiation-resistant resins of polyimide and polyether ether ketone becomes increasing as vessels for irradiation and unsealed radioisotope experiments. However, in our radiolysis experiments, the possibility of interaction between radiolysis products of water and the resin was found, suggesting concerns that the resin may affect reactions in water in radiation fields. To clarify the interaction, dichromate (Cr2O72−) reduction and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) formation in γ-radiolysis of water were compared with and without the resin. The Cr2O72− reduction amount in aqueous solution with the resin became larger than that without the resin at the same dose, indicating the promotion of Cr2O72− reduction by the resin. On the other hand, the H2O2 formation in pure water with and without an electron scavenger were almost independent of the presence of resin. These suggested the interaction between hydroxyl radical and the resin in contact with water in radiation fields.

Molecular Dynamics Simulation and Experimental Study of the Mechanical and Tribological Properties of GNS-COOH/PEEK/PTFE Composites.

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were first employed to achieve the optimal sintering temperature of carboxyl-functionalized graphene (GNS-COOH)-modified polyether ether ketone (PEEK)/polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) composites. A model of GNS-COOH/PEEK/PTFE composites was constructed to simulate the effects of different sintering temperatures on the mechanical and tribological properties, as well as their underlying atomic mechanisms. Samples of PTFE composites were prepared and characterized through experimental methods. Results revealed that the sintering temperature significantly affects the intermolecular forces, mechanical properties, and tribological characteristics of the composites. The agglomeration of the PEEK/PTFE composite matrix was effectively mitigated by introducing GNS-COOH. When the sintering temperature was controlled at 360 °C, the compressive strength of GNS-COOH/PEEK/PTFE composites was improved compared to GNS/PEEK/PTFE composites, albeit with a slight reduction in wear resistance. This study provides a theoretical reference for the preparation process and performance evaluation of new materials.

Characterization and modeling of laser transmission welded polyetherketoneketone (PEKK) joints: Influence of process parameters and annealing on weld properties

Welding high-performance thermoplastics has gained popularity across various industries such as automotive, aerospace, and medical. Laser transmission welding (LTW) has emerged as an effective method for joining thermoplastic parts due to its precise control and high joint quality. PAEK (polyaryletherketone) are wide spreading over various industrial applications as a substitute to metals and thermosets when high durability and performance are required. Polyetherketoneketone (PEKK) is one of these PAEK and it has received less attention than PEEK until now. PEKK, being a semi-crystalline thermoplastic, requires additional care during processing due to its propensity to crystallize. This study presents both experimental and numerical investigations into LTW of PEKK molded parts, aiming to understand the influence of welding parameters and crystallinity on weld joint morphology and mechanical properties. PEKK plates, prepared in amorphous and semi-crystalline states, are subjected to LTW using a 975 nm diode laser. Material characterization confirms differences in crystallinity between the samples, which affect their thermal and optical properties, which are crucial for welding. Welding tests are conducted with varying laser power (between 75 and 95 W) and semi-transparent part thickness (2 and 4 mm). The morphology of joints is analysed. Assemblies undergo post-weld annealing treatment to examine its influence on weld crystallinity and consequent mechanical properties. Results reveal an anisotropic distribution of crystallinity within the heat-affected zone (HAZ). The depths of the molten layer (ML) and semi-crystalline layer (scL) vary with laser power and assembly type. A notable decrease in weld strength with laser power is highlighted, while annealing leads to enhanced crystallinity and improved weld strength. Despite variations, high weld strengths are achieved with annealing. Computational modelling elucidates the complex interplay between laser irradiation, temperature distribution, and crystallization kinetics observed experimentally. Overall, this comprehensive investigation provides valuable insights into optimizing LTW parameters for PEKK parts.