PEEK is a semi-crystalline polymer, a special engineering plastic with excellent comprehensive performance. It has a high melting point (343°C), excellent mechanical properties, and excellent biocompatibility. It is currently a popular research injection molding material. Here is a brief introduction of PEEK injection molding properties, characteristics and applications.
Properties & Characteristics Of PEEK Injection Molding
● High temperature resistance: PEEK has a high glass transition temperature (Tg=143℃) and melting point (Tm=334℃), its load thermal deformation temperature is up to 316℃, long-term use temperature is 260℃, and instantaneous use temperature can reach 300 ℃.
● Self-lubricity: PEEK has good sliding characteristics, suitable for occasions that require low friction coefficient and wear resistance, especially the wear resistance of PEEK modified with carbon fiber, graphite and PTFE is very superior.
● Corrosion resistance: PEEK is insoluble in any solvent except concentrated sulfuric acid, and has high chemical stability.
● Flame retardancy: PEEK is self-extinguishing, even if no flame retardant is added, it can reach 94V-0 level of UL standard.
● Ease of processing: Because PEEK has good high temperature fluidity and high thermal decomposition temperature, a variety of processing methods can be used, such as PEEK injection molding, PEEK extrusion molding, PEEK compression molding and PEEK melt spinning.
● Mechanical properties: PEEK has good toughness and rigidity, it has excellent fatigue resistance comparable to alloy materials.
● Electrical properties: PEEK has high volume resistivity and surface resistivity. It can withstand the AC potential field strength of various frequencies under a wide temperature range and environmental changes, and maintain good insulation performance.
● Hydrolysis resistance: The resin and its composite materials are not affected by the chemical influence of water and high-pressure steam, and can be used continuously under high-temperature and high-pressure steam or water environments to maintain good mechanical properties.
● Weather resistance: Excellent weather resistance, polymers can be used to manufacture components with strict working environment requirements or requiring frequent sterilization treatment.
The Application Of PEEK Injection Molding
Because PEEK has excellent comprehensive properties, it can replace traditional materials such as metals and ceramics in many special fields, making it one of the most popular high-performance plastic injection mold material today. It is currently mainly used in aerospace, automotive industry, electrical and electronic and medical machinery and other fields.
Automotive Industry
The growth of PEEK resin in the European market is especially the fastest growing in the automotive parts market. Especially the parts around the engine, variable speed transmission parts, steering parts, etc. have used PEEK plastic injection mold instead of some traditional high-priced metals as the manufacturing material. As the automotive industry adapts to the requirements of miniaturization, light weight and cost reduction, the demand for injection mold PEEK resin will continue to grow.
Aerospace Industry
Even though aluminium is the material of choice for the aerospace industry, PEEK can still find application in some aircraft since it is lighter than aluminium. The only drawback is that PEEK is quite expensive to manufacture, yet it has even better recyclability than aluminium.
Office Machinery Parts
For the separation claws of copiers, special heat-resistant bearings, chains, gears, etc., when PEEK resin is used instead of metal as their material, the components can be lightweight, fatigue-resistant, and can be lubricated without oil.
Medial Applications
In the field of medical analysis equipment, PEEK can withstand repeated autoclaving, and it can be used to manufacture endoscope parts and dental cleaners in medical equipment. In addition, due to the high strength and low dissolution of PEEK, it has been used in liquid chromatography columns, tubes, and accessories for instrument analysis. Moreover, because PEEK has good compatibility with the human body, it has successfully replaced traditional titanium as an artificial bone material.
Electrical Applications
PEEK is an excellent electrical insulator and retains its mechanical properties at high temperatures. It can thus find application in electrical instruments that operate at high temperatures, such as soldering machines.
