PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone) is a premium engineering plastic known for its outstanding performance in extreme conditions. It offers a unique combination of strength, heat resistance, and chemical stability, making it a trusted choice in high-demand industries. PEEK can operate continuously at temperatures up to 250°C and resists harsh chemicals, water, and even radiation.
One of PEEK’s greatest advantages is its mechanical strength. It’s incredibly tough and wear-resistant, which means it lasts longer even under heavy use. Its low flammability and low smoke emission also make it a safe choice for applications where fire safety is important.
Because of these properties, PEEK is often used in aerospace, automotive, medical, electronics, and oil & gas industries.
In the medical field, PEEK is used for implants and surgical tools because it’s biocompatible. In aerospace and automotive applications, it replaces metal parts to reduce weight without compromising strength. It’s also used in electrical insulation and high-performance seals and valves.
PEEK is available in different forms to suit various manufacturing needs, including sheets, rods, tubes, granules (for molding), and filaments for 3D printing. Its versatility and performance make it one of the most reliable materials for challenging environments.
Properties & Grades
- Unfilled PEEK is a highly durable plastic that can handle extreme temperatures and tough environments. It’s strong, stable, and resists chemicals, making it ideal for demanding applications where reliability is critical.
- Made from pure PEEK polymer, Unfilled PEEK has a unique structure that gives it its strength and heat resistance, allowing it to perform well under high stress.
- Glass-filled PEEK is reinforced with glass fibers, making it stronger and stiffer than Unfilled PEEK. It can handle heavy mechanical loads without losing its shape, making it great for structural parts in tough conditions.
- Glass fibers are added to the PEEK material to increase its strength and thermal stability. This gives it more durability and makes it ideal for high-performance applications.
- Carbon-filled PEEK is tough and resistant to wear. It also has low friction, which makes it ideal for parts like bearings that need to slide smoothly and last longer.
- Carbon fibers are added to the PEEK polymer, boosting its strength, wear resistance, and friction-reducing properties.
- Specifically made for moving parts, bearing-grade PEEK offers low friction, excellent wear resistance, and stability. It’s commonly used for parts like bearings and bushings that need to handle constant movement.
- This type of PEEK has special additives that help reduce friction and wear, making it perfect for high-performance, sliding applications.
Applications
They are a base material in applications that do not require any formability beyond minimal bending and/or roll-forming.
- Medical Implants
- Aerospace
- Food Processing
- Oil & Gas
- Automotive