What is PEEK ? And the characteristics of PEEK

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a semi-crystalline high-temperature thermoplastic that is increasingly used in high-tech industrial fields such as high-performance medical tubing, aviation, machinery, electronics, chemicals, and automobiles due to its biocompatibility, excellent physical and electrical properties, chemical resistance, and easy sterilization.

PEEK was first used in the aerospace field, replacing aluminum and other metal materials in manufacturing various aircraft parts. In the automotive industry, PEEK resin has good friction resistance and mechanical properties. As a raw material for manufacturing engine inner covers, various parts such as bearings, gaskets, seals, and clutch rings are widely used in automobile transmission, braking, and air-conditioning systems.

PEEK machine is an ideal electrical insulator. It can still maintain good electrical insulation properties under harsh working conditions such as high temperature, high pressure and high humidity. Therefore, the electronic information field has gradually become the second largest application field of PEEK machine,  manufacturing pipes, valves and pumps for transporting ultrapure water. In the semiconductor industry, it is often used to manufacture wafer carriers, electronic insulation diaphragms and various connecting devices. As a semi-crystalline engineering plastic, PEEK is insoluble in almost all solvents except concentrated sulfuric acid, so it is often used to make compressor valve plates, piston rings, seals and various chemical pump bodies and valve components.

The characteristics of PEEK are as follows

1. Excellent resistance to high and low temperatures, allowing long-term use at temperatures up to 260 degrees.

2. PEEK material can resist corrosion and aging.

3. PEEK material has high resistance to dissolution.

4. PEEK material has the conditions for high temperature, high frequency and high voltage electrical properties.

5. PEEK material has strong flexibility and rigidity.

6. PEEK material is relatively wear-resistant and has strong anti-corrosion properties.

7. The raw materials include implant grade and intervention grade. (with biocompatibility report)

PEEK polyetheretherketone can also withstand up to 3,000 cycles of autoclaving at 134°C. This feature allows it to be used in the production of surgical and dental equipment with high sterilization requirements and repeated use. PEEK polyetheretherketone not only has the advantages of light weight, non-toxicity, corrosion resistance, etc., but it is also the material closest to human bones and can be organically combined with the human body. Therefore, using PEEK polyetheretherketone resin instead of metal to manufacture human bones is another important application in the medical field. Domestic production develops rapidly. PEEK resin was developed by the original British company ICI in the late 1970s. Since its inception, it has been used as an important strategic national defense material, and many countries have restricted exports.