What is PEEK ?
Poly-ether-ether-Ketone (PEEK) resin is a new type of special engineering plastics with properties comparable to polyimide, known as ultra-heat resistant thermoplastic resin.
1. Chemical Structure
2. Properties
PEEK is an aromatic crystalline thermoplastic polymer with a melting point of 334℃ and has the following properties:
- Short-term heat resistance: The thermal deformation temperature of glass fiber or carbon fiber reinforced can reach more than 300℃.
- Long term heat resistance :UL temperature index (RTI) 250℃.
- Toughness: PEEK is a very flexible resin.
- Flame retardant: UL94V-0 (1.5mm), self-extinguishing, combustion smoke is the least of all resins.
- Corrosion resistance/drug resistance: No solvent except concentrated sulfuric acid can corrode it.
- Heat resistant water (Can be used in 200 ~ 300℃ steam).
- PEEK has the highest fatigue and creep resistance in all thermoplastics.
- Processability: In addition to injection molding, can also be applied to various molding methods.
3. Applications
Poly-ether-ether-ketone (PEEK) resin is a kind of special engineering plastics with excellent performance. Compared with other special engineering plastics, PEEK resin has many significant advantages, such as excellent high-temperature mechanical properties, good self-lubrication, chemical corrosion resistance, flame retardancy, peel resistance, radiation resistance, stable insulation, hydrolysis resistance and easy processing, etc.. PEEK is widely used in aerospace, automobile, electronics, medical, food processing and other fields.
Excellent performance and wide application, PEEK resin was first used in the aerospace industry to replace aluminum and other metals in various aircraft components. In the automotive industry, PEEK resin has good friction resistance and mechanical properties, and is used as raw material for making engine hoods. A variety of components, including bearings, gaskets, seals, clutches and gear rings, are widely used in automotive transmission, braking and air conditioning systems.
PEEK resin is an ideal electrical insulator, under the harsh working conditions such as high temperature, high pressure and high humidity, still can maintain good electrical insulation performance, so the electronic information field has gradually become the second largest application area of PEEK resin. In the semiconductor industry, it is commonly used to manufacture wafer bearers, electronic insulation diaphragms and various connecting devices. As a semi-crystalline engineering plastic, PEEK is insoluble in almost all solvents except concentrated sulfuric acid, so it is commonly used in the production of compressor valve discs, piston ring seals and various chemical pump body valve parts.
PEEK resin also withstands up to 3000 cycles of autoclaved sterilization at 134℃. This feature enables it to be used in the production of surgical and dental equipment with high sterilization requirements and repeated use. PEEK is not only light in weight but also non-toxic Corrosion resistance and other advantages, it is the closest material to human bones and can be organically combined with the body. Therefore, it is another important application in the medical field to use PEEK resin instead of metal to make human bones. PEEK resin was developed by the former ICI company in the United Kingdom in the late 1970s. Since its appearance, it has been regarded as an important strategic defense military material, and many countries have restricted its export.
