PEEK material (chemically known as polyetheretherketone) is manufactured by Ensinger in standard stock shapes for machining. It is extruded in sheet, rod and tube that may use Victrex® PEEK 450G or Solvay Ketaspire® KT-820 polymer. PEEK is a unique semi crystalline, engineering thermoplastic that also offers excellent chemical compatibility.
Parts manufactured from high temperature plastic PEEK polymer can also operate at temperatures up to 260°C (480°F) and have a melting point around 341°C (646°F). PEEK plastic is often used in hot water or steam environments because it maintains physical properties such as flexural and tensile strength at a high level despite the severe environment. Polyetheretherketone is often viewed as one of the engineering thermoplastics that tends to command a high price, however experienced users have come to realize the added value that PEEK materials bring, by offering the possibility of manufacturing parts that are lighter, stronger and able to survive longer under harsh conditions.
PEEK is one of the best heat-resistant materials among high performance plastics. Even when used at 260°C for 5000 hours, the strength is almost the same as in the initial state and excellent in thermal stability. PEEK has a long lifetime in the harshest environments.
PEEK has some of the best mechanical strength characteristics available among engineering plastics, including the following:
PEEK is also resistant to bending and, compressive stress, so it can also be used in situations where stability is required. In addition to standard PEEK, the following modified high-strength grades are available.
Unfilled PEEK natural is the most balanced material in high temperature environments, where non-lubricated sliding and non-contamination is required. Still, many applications call for special PEEK bearing grades as TECAPEEK PVX black, containing a multiple filler system (graphite, carbon fiber and PTFE), to fulfill a combination of requirements:
With this combination of criteria, this bearing grade material can be used in harsh environments of 100 to 300°C. PEEK is used where conventional materials (POM, PA / Nylon etc.) would be beyond their limits. Because of these excellent sliding characteristics, they are used in gears, bearings, sliding bearings, and many other applications. In order to avoid thermal overload of a bearing, the resulting frictional heat should be dissipated as quickly as possible from the sliding surface of the bearing. The better the thermal conductivity of the part, the faster the heat is dissipated and overheating can be reduced. The fillers carbon fiber and graphite make TECAPEEK PVX black a superior bearing grade with improved thermal conductivity.
The sliding behavior always depends on the overall sliding system, and on parameters like sliding partner, load, sliding speed, surface roughness, temperature and so on.
PEEK materials can comply to many standards and are used in various industries.
Find here the full portfolio.
Fields of applications
PEEK reinforced grades exhibit rigidity and strength superior to unfilled PEEK. Improved heat deflection temperature, elastic modulus and hardness are also characteristics of carbon and glass filled PEEK.
E-Modulus
|
|
TECAPEEK natural | 4200 MPa |
TECAPEEK CF30 black | 6000 MPa |
TECAPEEK GF30 natural | 6300 MPa |
A perfect choice whenever reinforced grades cannot be used
Higher glass transition point and melting point than unfilled PEEK. Especially excellent strength, hardness, fatigue resistance, and dimensional stability at 150 to 200 ° C.
Tg1) |
Tm2) |
|
TECAPEEK natural | 150°C | 341°C |
TECAPEEK HT black | 160°C | 375°C |
TECAPEEK ST black | 165°C | 384°C |
1) Glas transition temperature
2) Melt temperature
TECAPEEK PVX black
TECAPEEK TF10 blue
Fields of applications
Ball bearing retainers, sliding bearings, seals, rollers, guidance etc.
TECAPEEK ELS nano black
TECAPEEK SD black
Optimized for CMP in semiconductor manufacturing, compatible with various slurries
TECAPEEK CMP natural
TECAPEEK SE natural
TECAPEEK CMF white
Contributes to improve safety in food production
TECAPEEK UD blue
TECAPEEK ID blue
To request material samples or ask for a quotation please navigate through the product detail pages.
If you are not sure what material to use for your application, or if you have questions on technical details feel free to contact our technical support for advice.
In any manufacturing environment, machine utilisation is always a priority. Waterjet cutting parts might speed the part manufacturing process, yet still be limited by smaller plate sizes that require frequent change over. Ensinger's 1000mm wide PEEK plates offer additional machinable surface area that can increase part yield per plate by up to 30%.
Waste of material is unnecessary and expensive. Reduce your yield loss by selecting the perfect match for you. Choose from many different dimensions in stock and on request.
Sometimes it is best for a designer or machinist to try and look at things from a different perspective. Let our technical experts help you figure out the best way to nest your parts in the most appropriately sized shape from Ensinger's large selection of PEEK stock shapes.
Machined from TECAPEEK SM natural (spin molded PEEK tube)
Machined from TECAPEEK natural and TECAPEEK PVX
Machined from TECAPEEK natural
Machined from TECAPEEK black
Machined from TECAPEEK CLASSIX™ white
Machined from TECATEC PEEK CW50 black (PEEK composite)
Typical applications that are machined from PEEK plastics:
Electronical industry: insulators, connectors and wafer-carrier
Mechanical engineering: gear wheels, sliding elements, compressor- and pump-components, drives, bushings, valves and rollers
Automotive industry: clutch and gearbox components and turbocharger impeller
Conveyor technics: guidances, strokes, rollers, grippers, and valves
Medical industry: parts for surgical instruments and short term implants
Food industry: valves, blenders, strippers, dosing systems and kneaders
Oil- and gas industry: drill heads, sealings and sensors