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POLYETHER-ETHERKETONE
(PEEK)
PEEK
is a high temperature-resistant thermoplastic suitable for wire coating,
injection molding, film, and advanced structural composites.
The material has good engineering properties, that is, tough, strong,
rigid and creep resistance. The material also resists a wide range of solvents
and exposure to radiation.
Applications
include wire and cable coatings, automotive engine parts, aerospace components,
bearings, woven monofilament and film.
PEEK resins are marketed by ICI Advanced Materials Group under the
Victrex tradename in unreinforced, 20 and 30% glass-fiber-reinforced, and 30%
carbon-fiber-reinforced grades.
PEEK
resins can be molded or extruded in conventional thermoplastic processing
equipment at 660 to 750o F. Mold shrinkage is about 1% for the
unreinforced polymer and 0.1 to 1.4% for the reinforced grades, depending on
fiber orientation.
The
wholly aromatic structure of PEEK contributes to its high-temperature
performance. And its crystalline character gives it resistance to organic
solvents, resistance to dynamic fatigue and retention of ductility on short-term
heat aging. Molded PEEK components absorb much less water than many other
thermoplastics.