PEEK

PEEK Components (PolyEtherEther Ketone)

Fluoropolymers

Fluoropolymers are ideal for pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical processing equipment because they have excellent chemical and thermal resistance. Their molecules have continuous non-reactive surfaces and are compatible with virtually all chemicals and solvents. They are far more resistant to chemical attack than conventional chlorinated and hydrocarbon polymers, and have far higher service temperatures. There are a number of materials in the Fluoropolymer family. PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) is the original Fluoropolymer, discovered by DuPont in 1938. From this original development there have been a number of other materials developed – trying to improve on the difficult processing characteristics of PTFE. These have been more or less successful, having to trade properties of PTFE in order to attain other characteristics. The principal materials used in the industries that we serve are:

• PTFE
• PEEK
• PCTFE
• PVDF
• PFA
• PVDF

PEEK (Polyether ether ketone) – is a semicrystalline thermoplastic with excellent mechanical and chemical resistance properties that are retained to high temperatures. PEEK has a glass transition temperature at around 143 °C and melts around 343 °C. It is highly resistant to thermal degradation as well as attack by both organic and aqueous environments. It dissolves completely in concentrated sulphuric acid at room temperature.

Because of its robustness, PEEK is used to fabricate items used in demanding applications, including bearings, piston parts, pumps, HPLC columns, compressor plate valves, and cable insulation. It is one of the few plastics compatible with ultra-high vacuum applications. PEEK is considered an advanced biomaterial used in medical implants. It is extensively used in the aerospace, automotive and chemical process industries.

Typical applications

Bearings, piston parts, pumps, HPLC columns, compressor plate valves, cable insulation and medical implants.