Properties and Benefits of PEEK Material

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Material | PEEK

Jul 09,

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a linear, aromatic, semi-crystalline polymer that exhibits excellent mechanical and thermal properties. Several grades of PEEK&#; such as Virgin PEEK&#;, 30% Glass Filled PEEK&#;, 30% Carbon Filled PEEK&#;, and Bearing Grade PEEK&#; are preferred for applications in demanding environments. PEEK rods, sheets, and machine parts are sought after for applications across industries. This post aims to discuss PEEK&#;s properties and benefits, which in turn helps you use the material wisely in applications.

Know About the Properties of PEEK Materials

The following table depicts the general mechanical, thermal and electrical properties of Polyetheretherketone.

Mechanical Property Unit 450G 450GL30 450CA30 Coefficient of Friction &#; &#; &#; Flexural Modulus, 23°C psi 594,500 1,450,000 2,900,000 Specific Gravity 1.32 1.49 1.44 Melt Flow Rate g/10 min 3-3.5 1.2-1.5 1.2-1.5 0.48-0.56 Rockwell Hardness, R scale R 126 124 124 Impact Strength, 23°C, Notched Izod ft-lb/in 1.57 1.8 1.59 Water Absorption, 24 hr. % 0.5 0.11 0.06 Elongation, 23°C % 50 2.2 1.3 Tensile Strength, 23°C psi 14,500 24,650 32,770 Thermal Properties Melting Point °C 340 340 340 Deflection Temperature (264 psi) °C 160 315 276 Oxygen Index % 24 &#; &#; Max. Service Temperature °C 250 250 250 Thermal Conductivity Btu-in/hr-ft2-F 1.75 0.43 0.24 Flammability V-O V-O V-O Electrical property Surface Resistivity ohm-sq &#; &#; &#; Volume Resistivity ohm-cm 4.9 x &#; &#; Dielectric Strength (0.05 mil film) KV/cm 190 &#; &#; Dielectric Constant, 21°C, 50 Hz-10 kHz 3.2-3.3 &#; &#; Dissipation Factor, 21°C, 1 MHz 0.003 &#; &#; Arc Resistance sec &#; &#; &#;

 

Benefits of Using PEEK Material

Thermoplastic PEEK offers exceptional performance over a wide range of temperatures. The following are a few other beneficial features of polyetheretherketone.

• Excellent chemical resistance
• Low moisture absorption
• Good wear and abrasion resistance
• High-temperature tenacity
• Long lifespan
• Excellent heat distortion properties
• Low coefficient of friction
• Good radiation resistance
• Ease of processing
• Environmentally friendly
• Low flammability
• Good resistance to hydrolysis
• Resistance to thermal aging
• Resilient when exposed to boiling water and hot steam
• Very low smoke and toxic gas emission when exposed to flame

Typical Application Areas

Owing to the superb benefits and features of polyetheretherketone as aforementioned, the material is largely chosen for applications in marine, automobile, medical, food processing, defense, and oil and gas industries among others. A few examples of the parts manufactured using the material include:

• Oil and vacuum pumps
• Seals and supporting rings
• Hydraulic valves
• Gears
• Thrust washers
• switching jack
• Plug connectors
• Wafer carriers
• Valve seats
• Pump wear parts
• Food contact parts

Having said the benefits and applications of thermoplastic PEEK, would you like to transform PEEK material into parts with strict specifications? There are several manufacturers who possess ample knowledge of working with the material, which enables them to produce parts to strict specifications to support the application equipment performance. SSP Manufacturing, Inc is one such leading manufacturers who have expertise in creating PEEK parts for filling equipment, pharmaceutical equipment, and lab work or other specific applications.

Related Post

PEEK is a popular thermoplastic polymer found in objects as diverse as medical implants and electrical cable insulation.

The plastic has excellent mechanical properties and a high level of resistance to corrosive substances, making it highly desirable for manufacturers across the world. Despite being regularly used for injection molding and 3D printing, PEEK has a high melting point, which would indicate its suitability for subtractive processes like CNC machining &#; although PEEK machining comes with its own set of challenges.

This article goes over the fundamentals of machining PEEK: the material properties of PEEK, the advantages of machining PEEK, common applications of machining PEEK, and tips for how to get the most out of machined PEEK parts.

What is PEEK (

polyether ether ketone)

?

PEEK, or polyether ether ketone, is a high-performance engineering thermoplastic and part of the PAEK family of materials. The semi-crystalline material is used for a wide range of industrial parts and components, exhibiting excellent strength, wear resistance, and abrasion resistance, and retaining its properties even at high temperatures.

PEEK grades offer chemical and water resistance similar to PPS. But with a melting point of 343°C, PEEK can operate at higher temperatures: it can be used continuously to 250°C and in hot water or steam without permanent loss in physical properties.

The high-performance PEEK plastic is available in granular form, in filament for 3D printing, and in bar / rod form for CNC machining. It is typically classified as either industrial-grade or medical-grade.

What are the Advantages of machining PEEK?

There are numerous advantages to PEEK machining, and these can be broken down into two categories: the inherent material advantages of PEEK, and the specific process advantages of using a CNC machine for machining PEEK material.

Material advantages of machining PEEK include:

• Excellent chemical resistance

• Very low moisture absorption

• Wear and abrasion resistance

• Unaffected by continuous hot water / steam exposure

• Some grades biocompatible

• Resistant to biodegradation

Process advantages of machining PEEK include:

• High accuracy

• High repeatability

• Tight tolerances

• Relatively high melting point permits faster feeds and speeds

What are the Limitations of PEEK machining?

Although many machinists use PEEK plastic as a reliable alternative to some metals, there are several limitations to machining the thermoplastic polymer. These include:

• Special handling required to minimize internal stress and heat-related cracks

• Annealing required

• Doesn&#;t dissipate heat well

• Can crack if drilled deeply

What are the Applications of PEEK machining?

PEEK is a material with a surprisingly diverse range of applications, some of which are best served by CNC machining over other manufacturing techniques. Industrial-grade PEEK plastic is used in the aerospace, automotive, chemical, electronics, and energy industries, while medical-grade PEEK plastic is used in healthcare and dentistry.

These common machined PEEK parts are here categorized by whether they use industrial-grade or medical-grade PEEK:

Industrial-grade

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Medical-grade

Rollers and wheels

Implants

Bearings

Spinal fusion devices

Washers, seals & manifolds

Trauma fraction devices

Cable insulation

Orthopedic devices

Blocks

Dental healing caps

Bushings

Spiked washers

Rings

Drug delivery systems

PEEK machining tips

PEEK is a machinable thermoplastic, but critical steps must be taken before, during, and after machining to deliver the best end product.

• Annealing: Annealing is a process performed on PEEK rods to relieve stress and reduce the chances of stresses and surface cracks in the PEEK material during machining. Annealed PEEK is also less likely to deform. Multiple annealing stages may be required depending on the time required for machining.

• Cutting tools: In most circumstances, PEEK can be machined using silicon carbide cutting tools. If the PEEK is reinforced with carbon fiber, or if exceptionally tight tolerances are required, diamond tools should be used. Furthermore, contamination can be avoided if the cutting tools used are not also used on metals.

• Wet or dry: Because PEEK doesn&#;t dissipate heat, it needs to be cooled during machining to prevent deformation or breakage. Standard liquid coolant can be used, unless e.g. medical parts are being machined, in which case the PEEK material needs to be cooled by pressurized air. This is because liquid coolant can affect the biocompatibility of PEEK.

• Drilling: Deep hole drilling can cause cracks, since PEEK has a lower elongation than other plastics.

PEEK machining, PEEK 3D printing, or PEEK injection molding?

PEEK material is not limited to CNC machining. It can also be processed via additive manufacturing or injection molding. Choosing between the processes depends on the desired end product, as well as time and budget constraints.

For 3D printing PEEK, both FFF filaments and SLS powders are available. However, the availability of PEEK for CNC machining and injection molding still far outweighs the options for additive manufacturing. 3D printing is becoming increasingly popular for the printing of biocompatible medical implants, since complex (and partially hollow) geometries can be easily realized.

Injection molded PEEK resin is widely used for medical and aerospace applications and beyond. However, its melting point is at the upper end of many injection molding machine&#;s capabilities, and it may therefore be considered a specialty material. Learn more from our guide on Plastic CNC machining and how to choose the best type for your project.

Customers may also consider other high-temperature plastics besides PEEK, such as PEKK or Ultem.

Machining

3D printing

Injection molding

Complex geometries

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Mechanical performance

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Accuracy & repeatability

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3ERP in an experienced provider of PEEK machining, in addition to many other prototyping and plastic CNC Machining services and parts. Request a free quote for your next project.

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