Polyetheretherketone

Abstract

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK), which is marketed under the trade name Victrex, has a number of features in common with polyethersulfone. Corrosive gases are not liberated during processing; consequently, corrosion-resistant materials of construction are unnecessary for PEEK equipment. PEEK is a particularly versatile material and a variety of processing techniques can be used to produce a range of products. Since Victrex PEEK is a high-temperature thermoplastic, the effect of temperature on electrical properties is important. Increasing safety requirements have led to the demand for materials with low flammability and, more recently, for materials which have low smoke generation during a fire. The flammability characteristics of PEEK answer the need for such materials. While still early days, the PEEK composite shows much promise as mechanically robust systems capable of operating under a wide range of environments, yet amenable to fast, inexpensive fabrication processes such as thermoforming, punching, riveting, sawing, and drilling.

Topics & Concepts