What is PEEK Materials (Polyether ether ketone)?
PEEK Material (Polyether ether ketone), it is a high-performance engineering plastic with exceptional chemical resistance, mechanical strength, and dimensional stability. It is resistant to steam, water, and seawater hydrolysis.
PEEK sheet has the capacity to keep rigidity at high temperatures and may be used indefinitely at temperatures up to 338 degrees Fahrenheit (170oC). This technical plastic has a long history of success in demanding applications such as aerospace, oil and gas, food and beverage processing, and semiconductors.
PEEK Material properties used to produce products utilised in demanding applications, such as bearings, piston components, pumps, HPLC columns, compressor plate valves, and cable insulation, because to its toughness. It’s one of the few polymers that can withstand ultra-high vacuum.
PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone) Material Parts
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PEEK IS WIDELY USED FOR:
- Semiconductor machinery components
- Aerospace parts
- Bushings, bearings, seals, and back-up rings
- Pump and valve components
- Vacuum wand handles
- Down hole electrical connectors
- Medical instrument parts
- Food processing machinery components
PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS:
- Strong and stiff
- Chemical resistant, hydrolysis resistant, autoclavable
- Easy to machine and fabricate
- Good mechanical properties at elevated temperatures
- UL 94 V-0 flammability rating (0.059″ thickness)
- Very low smoke and toxic gas emissions when exposed to flame
COMMON BRANDS:
- TECAPEEK®
- SustaPEEK
- Ketron®
STANDARD SIZES
| SHEET | Dimensions: 6 in x 6 in – 24 in x 48 in |
| Thickness: 0.250 in – 4 in |
| ROD | Outside Diameter: 0.187 in – 6 in |
| TUBE | Outside Diameter: 30 mm – 210 mm |
OPTIONS AVAILABLE
| COLOR | Natural, Black, Dark Blue |
| GRADES | Glass-Filled, Bearing Grades, FDA Compliant, Metal and X-ray Detectable |
Length, width, thickness, and diameter tolerances vary by size, by manufacturer, brand, and grade. Custom sizes and colors available upon request.
PEEK Plastic Properties and Material Options
Virgin PEEK (unfilled)–It is naturally abrasion resistant.
Glass-Filled PEEK– It offers enhanced mechanical and thermal properties over those of basic PEEK, plus excellent resistance in harsh chemical environments and is electrically insulative.
Bearing Grade PEEK– It has enhanced bearing and wear properties. TECAPEEK® PVX is an ultra high performance bearing material with wear enhancing additives.
FDA Compliant PEEK– It grades available that meet FDA requirements.
Optical, Metal and X-ray Detectable PEEK– TECAPEEK® UD is a dark blue FDA compliant detectable PEEK designed for the food and beverage processing and pharmaceutical industries. This metal and x-ray detectable material has a heat deflection temperature of over 300°F and excellent resistance to a wide range of cleaning chemicals.
Tech Tip– When polymers are required for applications that involve large changes in temperature, best practices involve selecting a filled grade of a stable (low CTE) base polymer. When fillers are added to highly stable base polymers such as VICTREX® PEEK, the resulting composites exhibit extremely low CTE values, which makes PEEK a good candidate for applications requiring plastics with CTEs as close as possible to those of metals.
TYPICAL PROPERTIES OF HDPE
| UNITS | ASTM TEST | PEEK | PEEK 30% GLASS-FILLED | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength | psi | D638 | 14,000 | 24,620 |
| Flexural modulus | psi | D790 | 590,000 | 1,450,000 |
| Izod impact (notched) | ft-lbs/in of notch | D256 | 1.6 | 1.84 |
| Heat deflection temperature @ 264 psi | °F | D648 | 306 | 599 |
| Maximum continuous service temperature in air | °F | 480 | 482 | |
| Water absorption (immersion 24 hours) | % | D570 | 0.50 | 0.11 |
| Coefficient of linear thermal expansion | in/in/°Fx10-5 | D696 | 2.6 | 1.2 |
| Coefficient of friction (dynamic) | 0.25 | 0.30 |
Please ask your Petron Thermoplast representative for more specific information about an individual brand.
Explore the physical, mechanical, thermal, electrical, and optical properties of PEEK.
Sort, compare, and find the plastic material suited for your application using our interactive properties table.
PEEK PROPERTIES COMPARISON GRAPHS
What are the Applications of PEEK Machining?
PEEK (Polyether ether ketone) machining is widely used across multiple industries due to its exceptional mechanical properties, chemical resistance, and high-temperature stability. Here are some of the key applications of PEEK machining:
1. Aerospace
Bushings, brackets, and sealing elements.
2. Automotive
Bearings, piston parts, gears, and insulating components.
3. Medical
Surgical instruments, implants, and dental components.
4. Electronics
Insulating connectors, circuit board supports, and semiconductor components.
5. Oil and Gas
Seals, valves, compressor rings, and anti-wear components.
6. Food Processing
Bearings, gears, and food-contact machine parts.
7. Semiconductor Industry
Wafer handling components, chip carriers, and test sockets.
8. Chemical Processing
Pump and valve components, seals, and wear rings.
PEEK machining allows for the customization of parts across these industries, providing components that maintain their integrity in challenging environments, ensuring performance, reliability, and longevity.
PEEK Machined Components
PEEK (Polyetheretherketone) is a high-performance thermoplastic that, when machined, produces precision components for various industries. Here are some of the common PEEK machined components:
Process of PEEK Machined Parts Manufacturing
The manufacturing of PEEK (Polyether ether ketone) machined parts involves a highly controlled process to ensure that the final components meet the stringent requirements of industries like aerospace, medical, and automotive. Below is a step-by-step breakdown of the PEEK machining process:
1. Material Selection
The first step is selecting the appropriate grade of PEEK for the application. Different grades of PEEK, such as unfilled, carbon-filled, glass-filled, or medical-grade, are chosen based on the mechanical, thermal, and chemical requirements of the part.
2. Cutting the Raw Material
The PEEK material is cut into rough blanks using band saws or other cutting equipment. These blanks are slightly oversized, leaving material for finishing during the machining process.
3. CNC Machining
CNC machining is the primary method for producing PEEK parts due to its precision and ability to handle complex geometries. The main CNC machining processes for PEEK include:
- Turning
- Milling
- Drilling
- Routing
4. Tooling Considerations
PEEK is a tough, abrasive material, so high-quality tooling is critical. Carbide or diamond-coated cutting tools are used to maintain sharpness and precision during machining.
5. Precision and Tolerances
Throughout the machining process, tight tolerances are maintained to ensure the parts meet exact specifications. CNC machines allow for precision in both simple and complex geometries, which is critical in industries like aerospace and medical.
6. Post-Machining Processes
After machining, parts may have sharp edges or burrs that need to be removed. Deburring ensures a clean finish and eliminates sharp edges that could interfere with the component’s function.
7. Quality Control
Every finished part undergoes a rigorous final inspection to ensure it meets the desired specifications. This includes verifying dimensions, surface finish, and mechanical properties.
8. Packaging and Shipping
Machined PEEK parts are carefully packaged to prevent damage during shipping. Anti-static bags, cushioning materials, or custom packaging may be used to ensure the parts remain intact and free from contamination.
9. Prototyping and Production
Before mass production, PEEK parts often go through a prototyping phase. CNC machining allows for the rapid creation of prototypes, which are tested for functionality, fit, and performance in real-world conditions. Adjustments can be made to the design and machining process before scaling up to full production.
PEEK Chemical Structure and Properties
PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone) is a semi-crystalline thermoplastic polymer characterized by its high performance in extreme conditions. The chemical structure of PEEK consists of a linear aromatic polymer backbone. It features alternating ketone (C=O) and ether (R-O-R) groups along its chain, with aromatic rings (benzene) forming the backbone. Its repeating unit can be represented as:
Chemical Formula: C₁₉H₁₂O₃
Chemical Structure: (-C₆H₄-O-C₆H₄-CO-C₆H₄-)n-
Where:
- The C₆H₄ represents the phenyl group (benzene ring).
- The O represents the ether bond.
- The CO represents the ketone bond.
PEEK Properties
1. Thermal Properties:
- Glass Transition Temperature (Tg): ~143°C
- Melting Point: ~343°C
- Continuous Service Temperature: ~250°C, with short-term stability up to 300°C.
- Excellent resistance to thermal degradation and capable of operating at high temperatures.
2. Mechanical Properties:
- High Tensile Strength: Around 90-100 MPa, depending on the grade.
- High Stiffness and Rigidity: Due to its semi-crystalline structure.
- Excellent Creep Resistance: Maintains structural integrity under long-term stress.
- Good Wear Resistance: High durability against friction and abrasion.
3. Chemical Resistance:
- Inertness: Highly resistant to chemicals such as acids, bases, solvents, and hydrocarbons.
- Resistant to Hydrolysis: Withstands exposure to steam, water, and other liquids without degrading.
- Resistant to Radiation: Withstands exposure to radiation without major structural damage.
4. Electrical Properties:
- High Dielectric Strength: Provides excellent insulation.
- Low Dielectric Constant and Loss: Effective as an insulator in electrical applications.
- Stable Electrical Properties: Maintains performance across a wide range of frequencies and environmental conditions.
5. Biocompatibility:
- Non-toxic: Suitable for use in medical applications, including implants and surgical instruments.
- Resistant to Sterilization: Can withstand various sterilization methods such as autoclaving and gamma radiation.
6. Flame Retardancy:
- Inherent Flame Resistance: PEEK exhibits low smoke and toxic gas emission when exposed to flames.
- UL94 V-0 Rating: It self-extinguishes, making it suitable for high-temperature environments requiring fire safety.
Conclusion
At Petron Thermoplast, we offer premium PEEK Machined Parts or PEEK Machined Components, renowned for their exceptional mechanical strength, thermal stability, and chemical resistance. With superior resistance to wear, heat, and chemicals, PEEK materials provide reliability and longevity in even the most challenging environments. Whether for high-precision machining or complex custom applications, Petron Thermoplast delivers PEEK material parts that meet the stringent demands of modern industries, ensuring top-quality performance and unmatched durability.
