(Newswire.net — October 28, 2013) Anaheim, CA — PEEK is commonly used as a replacement for stainless steel, and many other types of metal, and even glass. PEEK is the shortened name for Poly Ether Ether Ketone, and is a plastic material with many of the highest listed properties of a plastic sheet or rod.
Some of the benefits of using PEEK in your application are: weight reduction, water and wear resistance, chemical resistance, and hardness. PEEK, the apex of the plastic pyramid of plastic materials, is comparable in strength, yet lighter than stainless steel. PEEK does not experience corrosion, out gassing, or leaching (which could cause contamination). It is chemically resistant and inert with most acids and chemical bases. PEEK is weldable, machinable, and can be used with existing stainless steel or polymer fittings without the normal electrolysis experienced with other dissimilar metals. It can be bonded with epoxies, polyurethanes, or silicones.
PEEK is a common choice for demanding applications, compressors are a good example. When looking for a material intended for valve plate applications, you would want something with a high degree of physical strength that will also maintain high impact and cyclic fatigue resistance. This is especially important in cases where compressor plates are expected to compress highly acidic gas streams which can potentially challenge the chemical compatibility of most other valve plate materials. That is why PEEK is the only choice for this tough compressor valve plate application. PEEK is capable of withstanding the high temperatures and is very chemical resistant. PEEK can lengthen the lifespan of sealing elements in the valve, especially when compared to other materials.
PEEK is a workhorse in the medical plastic arena. It has been recognized as an effective Biomaterial for implantable medical device applications. Some common applications are:
- – Spinal cages
- – Bone fixation screws
- – Cardiac & Neurological leads
- – Dental Implant Components
Numerous independent studies have shown the long-term compatibility of PEEK in the human body. The excellent chemical resistance allows PEEK it to be utilized anywhere in the human body. It has the ability to maintain its structural reliability and physical properties throughout the duration of a patients’ life. Some studies have even shown that up to 75% of PEEK plastic demand is used for Spinal fusion applications! This may be because PEEK, when compared to metals like Titanium or Stainless steel, has excellent Biometric properties ( meaning that it will begin degrading well after the patient has moved on and that it will not interrupt the surrounding tissues), with little or no material degradation.
It is pretty easy to see how wonderful PEEK truly is with its excellent thermal, chemical, and water resistant qualities, its resistance to abrasion and fatigue. This material is a common semi-finished shape, and is available in sheet ranging from .250”- 4.0” + thickness and in rod ranging from .250”- 6.0” + diameter.
A few of the key suppliers of PEEK resin currently are: Victrex®, Solvay®, Evonik®, Devol® and several others. Common trade names for PEEK Sheet, PEEK Rod and PEEK Tube are: Victrex® PEEK, AvaSpire®, KetaSpire®, Arlon® and more.
PEEK replaces many plastic materials that have excellent properties, just not the complete combination that the PEEK material supplies. The world of plastics is continually moving forward, and with innovations in technology, medicine, and in industrial applications growing at an astonishing rapid rate, such a versatile material like PEEK makes the possibilities infinite!
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