Polyetheretherketone Plastic
Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a special engineering plastic that was successfully developed by the former ICI company in the UK in 1977 and industrialized and mass-produced by Victrex in the UK in the early 1980s. The molecular structure of PEEK contains methacrylate side chains and terephthalic anhydride side chains, with a wide molecular weight distribution, high reactivity of side chain groups, and strong conjugation effect.
PEEK is characterized by high temperature resistance, a glass transition temperature between 143-162°C, and a melting point between 343-387°C. It also has excellent mechanical strength and dimensional stability, wear resistance, chemical corrosion resistance, electrical properties, environmental protection characteristics, and hydrolysis resistance. PEEK can also be filled with carbon fiber, graphite, molybdenum disulfide, etc. to further improve lubrication performance and mechanical strength.
PEEK has been widely used in aerospace, automobile manufacturing, electronics and electrical, medical energy and power, machinery, automotive coatings and other fields due to its excellent performance. Specific applications include dental instruments, endoscopes, dialyzers and other healthcare products, as well as external parts and internal components in aerospace, lightweight components in automotive fuel management systems, etc. PEEK materials can also be used for 3D printing, providing new levels of precision for anatomically correct prostheses or implants.
PEEK Material Properties
PEEK Thermal Properties
PEEK is a semi-crystalline material with a well-defined melting point but a wide softening range. Compared to amorphous plastics, PEEK components are less likely to thermally degrade as temperature increases. PEEK’s excellent thermal stability allows it to maintain many other desirable properties over a wide temperature range.
PEEK Heat Deflection Temperature (HDT)
PEEK plastic has excellent thermal stability with a heat deflection temperature of 160°C or 320°F.
PEEK Maximum Allowable Use Temperature
Ketron ™ 1000 is a standard unfilled grade of PEEK that can withstand continuous use temperatures of 250°C or 320°F.
PEEK Glass Transition Temperature Tg
PEEK has a glass transition temperature of approximately 145°C or 290°F.
Main Applications
A. Automobile and other transportation machinery fields
The growth of PEEK resin in the European market is the fastest in the automotive parts market, especially engine peripheral parts, transmission parts, steering parts, etc., all use PEEK plastics instead of some traditional high-priced metals as manufacturing materials. As the automotive industry adapts to the requirements of miniaturization, lightweight and cost reduction, the demand for PEEK resin will continue to grow. A certain European car model has 44 parts that use PEEK plastics instead of traditional metal products.
B. IT manufacturing field
Semiconductor manufacturing and the electronic and electrical industry are expected to become another growth point for the application of PEEK resin. In the semiconductor industry, in order to achieve high functionality and low cost, the size of silicon wafers is required to be larger and the manufacturing technology is more advanced. Low dust, low gas release, low ion dissolution, and low water absorption are special requirements for the materials of various equipment in the semiconductor manufacturing process. This will be where PEEK resin can show its strengths.
C. Office machinery parts
When PEEK resin is used instead of metal as the material for the separation claws, special heat-resistant bearings, chains, gears, etc. of copiers, the parts can be made lightweight, fatigue-resistant, and oil-free lubricated.
D. Wire coating
PEEK coating has good flame retardancy. Without any flame retardant, its flame retardancy level can reach UL94 V-0. PEEK resin also has the advantages of peeling resistance and radiation resistance, so it is used in special wires in military and nuclear energy related fields.
E. Plates, rods and other fields
When PEEK is used in some special fields, it often encounters the phenomenon of small quantity and large variety. At this time, it is very advantageous to use rods, plates and other profiles for mechanical processing and manufacturing.
F. Fiber field
PEEK fiber (including monofilament) is used in industrial filter cloth, industrial brushes and other products. In the field of composite materials, the charm of PEEK fiber lies in its thermoplasticity and high temperature resistance. In addition to heat resistance, its appeal in industrial filter cloth and industrial brushes also lies in its chemical resistance and wear resistance.
G. Medical analysis equipment field
Because PEEK can withstand repeated high-pressure sterilization, it can be used in medical equipment to manufacture endoscope parts, dental descaling devices, etc. In addition, due to its high strength and low dissolution, PEEK has been used in liquid chromatography columns, tubes, accessories, etc. for instrument analysis. Moreover, because PEEK has good compatibility with the human body, it has successfully replaced traditional titanium metal as an artificial bone material. The main application areas of PEEK.
Recycling of PEEK waste
Ways of recycling PEEK waste
The main ways of recycling PEEK waste are as follows:
A. Mechanical recycling. The waste is made into particles or powder by crushing, grinding, etc., and then processed.
B. Chemical recycling. The waste is converted into new materials through chemical reactions, such as esterification, acylation, etc.
C. Energy recovery. Use waste as fuel for energy recovery.
Advantages of recycling PEEK waste
A. Reduce resource waste and reduce production costs.
B. Reduce environmental pollution and protect the ecological environment.
C. Improve resource utilization efficiency and promote sustainable development.
