{"id":2072,"date":"2021-06-21T21:27:00","date_gmt":"2021-06-21T21:27:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sybridge.com\/?p=2072"},"modified":"2023-09-25T10:07:15","modified_gmt":"2023-09-25T15:07:15","slug":"know-your-materials-peek","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sybridge.com\/know-your-materials-peek\/","title":{"rendered":"Know Your Materials: Polyetheretherketone (PEEK)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Originally published on fastradius.com on June 21, 2021<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

PEEK was first conceived in 1978 \u2014 relatively recently by manufacturing standards \u2014 as a high-temperature resistant material for cable insulation. Over the past 50 years, PEEK has developed into one of the most widely used materials for high-performance applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, PEEK is one of the most commonly manufactured polyaryletherketones (or PAEKs) for large-scale production runs. To make the most out of this versatile and adaptable material, engineers and product teams should familiarize themselves with the properties, characteristics, and limitations of PEEK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is PEEK?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

PEEK is a polymer created by step-growth polymerization, in which the polymer chain doubles with each polymerization step. This material boasts incredible electrical resistance along with heat resistance, wear resistance, and fatigue resistance. PEEK is also creep-resistant, meaning it will retain its shape in harsh environments and high temperatures, and when placed under mechanical stress. Along with being tough, PEEK is lightweight and easy to manufacture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since PEEK is physically light yet highly resistant to corrosive substances, it is well-suited for a variety of manufacturing methods. PEEK can be processed using injection molding or additive manufacturing, where its high melting point permits faster feeds and speeds. PEEK can also be manufactured via CNC machining. Across manufacturing methods, PEEK offers repeatability and accuracy component-to-component and can produce parts with tight tolerances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pure, unfilled PEEK is quite durable on its own, but PEEK is also often reinforced with carbon or glass fibers to become less brittle. Glass-filled PEEK offers more stiffness than unfilled PEEK and is often used in the oil and gas industries to ward off poor reactions to steam, chemicals, and high temperatures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One disadvantage of glass-filled PEEK is its tendency to wear down mating parts. Carbon-filled PEEK has increased compressive strength, which dramatically lowers its expansion rate and supports better wear-resistance and load-carrying capabilities. Carbon-filled PEEK also has more thermal conductivity, increasing a part\u2019s lifespan and performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Properties and Mechanical Specifications of PEEK<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

PEEK was developed as a high-heat-resistant plastic and only melts at an extremely high temperature. PEEK also releases very low smoke and toxic gas emissions when exposed to fire, reducing hazards when near flame or extreme heat. This makes PEEK an excellent choice for manufacturing methods that require heating and melting, like injection molding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some\u00a0other mechanical specifications\u00a0for pure, unfilled PEEK include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n