Why is PEEK so expensive
As we all know, PEEK in engineering plastics, its price is much more expensive than ordinary engineering plastics. This is inseparable from the outstanding performance of PEEK. Compared with other resin materials, PEEK performs very well in terms of high temperature resistance, mechanical properties, stability, corrosion resistance, aging resistance, processing properties, etc. PEEK is a semi-crystalline polymer with excellent comprehensive properties, which can be used as an alternative to metal materials in most occasions and is widely used in a wide range of applications.
Why the price of PEEK material is so expensive, there are:
1.Expensive synthetic monomer raw materials
PEEK polymerization needs two main monomers 4,4 ‘-difluorobenzophenone and hydroquinone are expensive, in addition to the use of sodium salt particle size, purity have relatively high requirements.
2.Harsh reaction conditions and high cost
PEEK polymerization process must ensure the reaction in the anaerobic state, while the reaction temperature is as high as 310-340℃, in order to obtain a higher purity PEEK resin, it is necessary to carry out dozens of alcohol refined process and washing process for the crude product.
3.High technical requirements
PEEK has good processing performance, but because the melting point of PEEK is as high as 343℃, and the adhesion of PEEK is relatively strong, the material, structure and temperature control requirements of the molding equipment barrel, screw, mold and equipment are relatively high.
4.Wide range of products, high early research and development costs
In order to meet the requirements of various working conditions of customers, not only the common carbon fiber reinforced, glass fiber reinforced and other basic brands, but also need to develop anti-static brands, conductive brands, wear-resistant brands, high-strength brands; At the same time, it also needs a lot of research and development work such as structural design, mold design, process design, and mold testing in the early stage.
5.Small batch of products, non-standard specifications
Due to the excellent comprehensive performance of PEEK, it can be used in a wide range of industries, but most of them are used on special occasions, so the shape size, structural characteristics, specifications and models are different. At present, we have more than 1500 kinds of products using PEEK.
6.Mostly for the trial stage, high promotion costs
PEEK synthesis has been monopolized by the British Wiggs, PEEK has been promoted and used in foreign countries for 30 years, but the domestic market’s understanding of PEEK materials, applications have just begun, many customers are in the trial stage, the promotion cost is relatively high.
7.High product requirements, many processing processes
Because PEEK material is expensive, customers have relatively high requirements for finished products, appearance quality, tolerances, surface finish, etc., need to be strictly controlled, some product structure is complex, so the processing process is more, need to participate in more personnel, resulting in increased costs.
Junsun Medical has established an advanced manufacturing base in China in compliance with GMP requirements. The implantable PEEK is produced under a Quality Management System in accordance with ISO 13485 and ISO 9001. We can provide consistent performance, safe and reliable medical grade materials to medical device manufacturers worldwide.
