PEEK

Polyetheretherketone offers advanced quality performance similar to that of PPS (polyphenylene sulfide) plastic, but can operate at higher temperatures—up to 480°F (249°C) in continuous use. Virgin or unfilled PEEK is naturally abrasion resistant and exhibits high chemical and hydrolysis resistance. In addition, PEEK high performance plastic produces very little smoke or toxic fumes when exposed to flame, and carries a V-O flame rating. 

Thanks to its excellent wear resistance and its ability to withstand continuous exposure to extreme temperatures, hot water, and steam, PEEK plastic is a popular choice in the medical device and life sciences industries, where plastics must undergo autoclave sterilization. PEEK is also common in oil and gas industry applications where parts in deep downhole environments must withstand extreme temperatures, chemicals, and moisture.

Online Plastics® offers PEEK rod in 0.375”, 0.5”, 0.75”, and 1” diameters and in 12”, 24”, 36”, and 48” standard lengths. Our PEEK rods are available cut-to-length to meet the needs of your specific application. In addition, our PEEK sheet material is available in numerous lengths and thicknesses to cater to your specific project needs.

PEEK plastic is a semicrystalline thermoplastic with excellent mechanical and chemical resistance properties that are retained at high temperatures. The processing conditions used to mold PEEK can influence the crystallinity and enhance the mechanical properties of the material. Some grades have a useful operating temperature of up to 250 °C (482 °F). The thermal conductivity of the material also increases linearly when the active temperature is between room and solidus temperature. PEEK is also highly resistant to thermal degradation and attacks from organic and aqueous environments, with a high resistance to biodegradation.
 
In more scientific terms, the Young's modulus is 3.6 GPa and its tensile strength is 90 to 100 MPa. PEEK has a glass transition temperature of around 143 °C (289 °F) and melts around 343 °C (662 °F). It can also be susceptible to halogens and strong Brønsted and Lewis acids and other halogenated compounds and aliphatic hydrocarbons at high temperatures. PEEK sheet and PEEK rod are also soluble in concentrated sulfuric acid at room temperature, although dissolution can take a very long time unless the polymer is in a form with a high surface-area-to-volume ratio, such as a fine powder or thin film.

Premium polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is used for a wide range of industrial applications where only the finest plastic materials will suffice. Due to its robust nature, PEEK is most commonly used for demanding applications that need to perform well in extreme environments. PEEK plastic is used in various industries including: aerospace, chemical & gas, healthcare, filter manufacturing, pharmaceutical, food and beverage and more. Some of the more common applications for PEEK plastic, include:

• Pistons

• Bearings

• Pumps

• Electrical cable insulation

• Ultra-high vacuum applications

• Medical implants

• Compressor plate valves

• Filters

• Food drying systems

• And more 

Depending on your specific application needs, PEEK plastic is available in a variety of formats and material options. Two of the most common varieties of PEEK high performance plastic that Online Plastics offers, include:
 

Unfilled Virgin Grade PEEK Plastic

Our Standard Virgin Grade PEEK is FDA compliant, which makes it appropriate for use in laboratory and medical environments. Virgin PEEK plastic also displays natural abrasion resistance, which is important for heavy-duty applications. 

Glass Filled PEEK Plastic 

This unique type of PEEK is reinforced with glass fibers, which significantly reduces its expansion rate and increases the flexural modulus. This makes it ideal for applications that require improved stability, strength, and stiffness at temperatures above 300º F. 

Glass Filled High Performance PEEK Plastic Features & Benefits 

Glass filled PEEK offers many distinct thermal, electrical, physical and mechanical properties, some of which include:

• Excellent high temperature resistance

• Good chemical resistance

• Biocompatible

• FDA compliant

• Withstands autoclave and hot steam

• When exposed to flame displays very low smoke and toxic gas emissions

• Good mechanical properties at elevated temperatures

• Easily machined and fabricated

• Stiff and strong 

Polyetheretherketone rod and sheet is known by numerous names throughout the industry. Some of the common names for PEEK plastic material, includes:

• Victrex

• Tecapeek®

• Ketron® PEEK

• Sustapeek®

• DuraPeek® 

In addition to Victrex, Ketron and other polyetheretherketone plastics, Online Plastics also offers premium grade specialized plastics that can be used for extremely brutal environments. These highly advanced PEEK rod and PEEK sheet materials, include: 

• PEEK 1000 - Offers greater steam and wear resistance

• Carbon-Reinforced PEEK - Exhibits exceptional wear capabilities

• PEEK HPV - Provides outstanding bearing performance 

PEEK plastic can be easily machined through CNC milling processes and is commonly used to produce high-quality plastic parts that are thermostable and both electrically and thermally insulating. Filled grades of PEEK can also be CNC machined, but special care must be taken to properly manage stresses in the material. In addition, since PEEK has such a high melting point compared to other thermoplastics it can be used for applications that require materials that will not falter under extreme conditions.