Alexei Volkov
PEEK, short for polyether ether ketone, is a high-performance engineering plastic with exceptional chemical resistance, mechanical strength, and dimensional stability. It is a lightweight, stiff, and durable material with high heat resistance, making it suitable for various applications across multiple industries. PEEK is often used in demanding environments, such as aerospace, automotive, oil and gas, food and beverage processing, and medical implants. Its unique properties, including high tensile and flexural strength, make it a popular choice for manufacturing parts that require strength, stability, and the ability to withstand harsh conditions.
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What You'll Learn
PEEK's unique chemical structure
PEEK (polyetheretherketone) is a high-performance engineering thermoplastic with a unique chemical structure that makes it incredibly strong and dimensionally stable under load and in harsh environments. Its structure gives it excellent mechanical, chemical, electrical, and thermal properties, making it suitable for a wide range of applications across almost every industry.
The unique chemical structure of PEEK results in a combination of outstanding properties. It has high strength, stiffness, toughness, fatigue resistance, biocompatibility, chemical stability, radiolucency, and abrasion resistance. PEEK is also hydrophobic, which can limit its use in biological applications. However, its resistance to degradation and compatibility with various surface treatments make it suitable for long-term performance in challenging environments.
PEEK's chemical structure is PFAS-free, meaning it does not contain fluorinated compounds. This makes it an attractive option for PFAS-free applications. PEEK's structure also provides excellent resistance to a wide range of liquids, including steam, water, and seawater, as well as outstanding resistance to harsh chemicals. It is insoluble in common solvents and does not undergo hydrolysis.
The processing conditions used to mould PEEK can influence its crystallinity and mechanical properties. PEEK is a semi-crystalline thermoplastic, and its crystallinity imparts excellent resistance to liquids. PEEK polymers are obtained through the step-growth polymerization of dialkylation of bisphenolate salts. Its high melting point of 343°C (649.4°F or 662°F) allows for processing using injection moulding or extrusion methods, and it can be used for 3D printing and CNC milling.
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PEEK's heat resistance
PEEK (polyether ether ketone) is a high-performance engineering plastic with exceptional heat resistance. It can maintain its stiffness and dimensional stability at high temperatures, making it suitable for continuous use at temperatures up to 338°F (170°C). PEEK has a glass transition temperature of around 143°C (289°F) and melts at approximately 343°C (649.4°F to 662°F). Its unique chemical structure as a thermoplastic polymer gives it incredible strength and stability under load and in harsh environments.
The heat resistance of PEEK plastic enables its use in demanding applications across various industries. It is one of the few plastics compatible with ultra-high vacuum applications, making it ideal for aerospace, automotive, and chemical industries. PEEK is also used in medical implants, such as skull reconstruction and spinal implants, due to its biocompatibility and high strength.
In the aerospace industry, PEEK is used for components that must withstand elevated temperatures, such as bushings, bearings, seals, pumps, and valves. PEEK seals are commonly utilised in fluid applications, benefiting from PEEK's high-temperature performance (up to 260°C/500°F) and low thermal conductivity.
The heat-resistant properties of PEEK make it a versatile and reliable material for numerous applications, contributing to its popularity across industries. However, prolonged exposure to elevated temperatures can cause PEEK to become more brittle over time, with degradation occurring more rapidly at higher temperatures.
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PEEK's applications in the aerospace industry
PEEK (polyetheretherketone) is a high-performance engineering plastic with a wide range of applications in the aerospace industry. It has been used in the aerospace industry since the early 1980s, when it was commercialized by Victrex. Today, more than 20,000 aircraft rely on PEEK-based solutions.
PEEK is known for its exceptional chemical resistance, mechanical strength, and excellent dimensional stability. It is also lightweight and has high-temperature resistance, making it ideal for manufacturing internal structural components of aircraft, such as seats, door components, and floor supports. PEEK's high-temperature resistance allows it to maintain stiffness at high temperatures, with a continuous use temperature of up to 338°F (170°C) and a melting point of 343°C (649.4°F or 662°F).
The use of PEEK in aerospace applications offers several benefits. Firstly, it helps reduce weight while retaining metal-like properties, making aircraft more fuel-efficient and cost-effective. PEEK-based composites have been used by companies like Airbus and Boeing to improve quality and reduce weight and costs. For example, Airbus used PEEK for a primary structural component in the door of the A350 XWB, reducing costs by 40%. Additionally, PEEK's high-temperature resistance and dimensional stability allow it to maintain its integrity under extreme conditions, making it suitable for demanding applications.
The emergence of PEEK 3D printing technology has also revolutionized aerospace manufacturing processes. With 3D printing, companies can rapidly prototype and test designs, reducing the time and cost traditionally associated with engineering and prototyping. This technology has allowed for greater design freedom and the ability to produce highly complex and customized parts.
While PEEK has transformed many aspects of the aerospace industry, it also faces some challenges, such as high costs and processing difficulties. However, with continuous advancements in technology, these challenges may be addressed, and the application scope of PEEK is expected to further expand.
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PEEK's biocompatibility
PEEK (polyetheretherketone) is a high-performance engineering plastic with exceptional chemical resistance, mechanical strength, and excellent dimensional stability. It is also biocompatible, as demonstrated by years of research and patient use. Its biocompatibility is an important area of focus for medical practitioners, and its inertness is one of its major advantages as a biomaterial.
Biocompatibility considers the interactions that take place between a biomaterial and its host environment, including potential toxicity, mutagenesis, and immunogenesis. PEEK has been proven safe in all of these areas, with no cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, or immunogenicity. This means that it does not cause cell injury or death, damage to the cell's genetic structure, or any other adverse biological response.
The biocompatibility of PEEK makes it suitable for use in a wide range of medical applications, including implants (surgical, cranial, lumbar, spinal, etc.) and scaffolds for bone regeneration. It has been used successfully in spinal fusion cages for 20 years, and its high strength and modulus, which approximate human bone, make it a popular choice for spinal implants and skull reconstruction. PEEK is also used in medical implants such as creating partial replacement skulls in neurosurgical applications and reinforcing rods.
While PEEK is biocompatible, it is biologically inert, which means it does not fully integrate with adjacent bone tissues upon implantation. However, this issue can be addressed through surface modification or the use of bioactive coatings, such as titanium dioxide (TiO2), which has been shown to improve osteoblast compatibility.
Overall, PEEK's biocompatibility, combined with its high-performance characteristics, makes it a valuable material in the medical field, offering safe and versatile options for implants and other applications.
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PEEK's production and processing
PEEK (polyetheretherketone) is a high-performance engineering plastic with exceptional mechanical and chemical properties. It is known for its high-temperature resistance, stiffness, and dimensional stability. The production and processing of PEEK involve several steps that contribute to its unique characteristics and make it suitable for a wide range of applications.
Production of PEEK
PEEK is produced through a standard process called step-growth polymerization, which is achieved by the dialkylation of bisphenolate salts. One example of this process is the reaction of 4,4'-difluorobenzophenone with the disodium salt of hydroquinone in a polar aprotic solvent, such as diphenyl sulfone, at around 300 °C. This reaction generates the PEEK polymer, which has a stiff aromatic polymer base that contributes to its high-temperature resistance and wear resistance compared to other polymers.
Processing of PEEK
The processing of PEEK involves various techniques, including injection moulding, compression moulding, and extrusion. Injection moulding is commonly used for producing intricate and detailed components, while compression moulding is preferred for larger and more straightforward shapes. PEEK requires high temperatures for injection moulding and experiences anisotropic shrinking during cooling, so mould pressure must be carefully managed to prevent unwanted shrinking.
To enhance the crystallinity and improve the mechanical properties of PEEK, an annealing process is often employed. Annealing involves heating the material and then gradually cooling it to reduce internal stresses and improve stability. PEEK's exceptional properties, including its high-temperature performance, chemical resistance, and dimensional stability, make it a versatile material for applications in industries such as aerospace, automotive, medical, and chemical.
Grades of PEEK
PEEK is available in various grades, including general and brand-specific options. Some common grades include virgin PEEK (unfilled), which is naturally abrasion-resistant, and glass-filled PEEK, which offers enhanced mechanical and thermal properties, excellent resistance in harsh chemical environments, and electrical insulation. Additionally, carbon-fiber-reinforced PEEK provides the highest strength and stiffness, outstanding wear resistance, and superior load-carrying capabilities.
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Frequently asked questions
PEEK stands for polyether ether ketone, a type of plastic polymer.
PEEK is a high-performance engineering plastic with exceptional chemical resistance, mechanical strength, and dimensional stability. It has high heat resistance, with a melting point of around 343°C (649.4°F) or 662°F, and can maintain its physical properties at high temperatures. It is also lightweight, wear-resistant, and easy to process.
Due to its unique properties, PEEK is used in a wide range of industries, including aerospace, automotive, chemical, medical, semiconductor, and food and beverage. It is used for manufacturing parts such as bearings, pumps, valves, medical implants, and electrical cable insulation.
PEEK is available in various grades, including unfilled/virgin PEEK, glass-filled/glass-reinforced PEEK, carbon-fiber-reinforced PEEK, and optical, metal, and X-ray detectable PEEK. Each grade offers enhanced properties for specific applications.
Solvay is the only US-based producer of PEEK resin. Other producers include Victrex PLC (formerly part of Imperial Chemical Industries) and Ketaspire.
