PEEK, or polyetheretherketone, is an engineering thermoplastic with high performance and distinct properties. The polyketone family of polymers includes this stiff material, which is one of the most widely used and typically produced in big amounts.
PEEK is a semi-crystalline thermoplastic with exceptional heat resistance, mechanical strength, and chemical resistance that is also highly machinable. Its polymer structure also enables remarkable mechanical strength, dimensional stability, and environmental resistance.
Some of the main benefits of PEEK include:
- With a high shatter resistance rating, it is rigid and strong.
- Easily machined using polished carbide tooling, polycrystalline diamond (PCD), or diamond-film tooling
- Outstanding resistance to hydrolysis, saltwater, solvents, chemicals, and a variety of other submerged conditions
- Can endure prolonged exposure to temperatures of about 480°F (250°C).
- Its stiffness won’t be significantly impacted by exposure to even greater temperatures in steam or high-pressure conditions.
- Extremely low gas emissions and toxicity when exposed to fires. Safe in a variety of hot settings
- Resistance to creep even in high temperatures
- Used for ultra-high vacuum pumps
- It works well in tough conditions and is a great high-strength substitute for fluoropolymers.
- For improved sanitation and medical uses, it can be autoclaved.
- When subjected to strong acid solutions, such as high molarity nitric and sulfuric acids, it dissolves very slowly.
- It benefits from improved physical qualities, such as increased thermal stability and greater mechanical strength, when glass or carbon-fiber fillers are added.
- PEEK is strong and resistant to abrasion. Even in harsh conditions and applications requiring extended wear, it has an exceptionally long lifetime.
- Able to withstand high-energy radiation
- Low absorption of moisture
- Naturally flame-resistant