PEEK Rod

PEEK Rod is considered one of the highest performing materials worldwide, offering a unique combination of properties. It boasts excellent high-temperature performance, with a high continuous service temperature of 260°C and a melting point of 343°C, higher than that of PTFE or PPS. PEEK Rod also exhibits a high tensile strength of 90-100 MPa, as well as exceptional chemical and wear resistance. It is biocompatible and highly resistant to attack by both organic and aqueous environments.

The main disadvantage of PEEK Rod is its relatively high price, which can be up to four times that of PTFE. This cost factor often limits its application to high-value items. Additionally, PEEK is not a shape memory polymer and lacks the ability to return from a temporarily deformed state to its original shape by an external stimulus like a temperature change.

PEEK Rod excels in high-temperature applications, with a short-term operating temperature of 300°C, 40 degrees higher than PTFE, making it 15% higher. It is 53% harder than Acetal and possesses 36% more tensile strength than nylon 6, 6, while being almost 60% stiffer. PEEK Rod exhibits excellent machine-ability, flame retardancy, and wear and slide properties.

PEEK Rod is widely used to fabricate items for demanding environments, such as bearings, piston parts, pumps, and compressor plate valves. It finds extensive application in aerospace, automotive, and chemical process industries. Moreover, PEEK is compatible with vacuum applications and serves as a metal replacement for high-temperature uses, making it a key material for various industries, including the oil and gas sector. It also plays a crucial role in alternative energy production for constructing equipment and components in solar, wind, nuclear, geothermal, and hydropower.

PEEK Rod's stiffness drops off significantly, and its expansion rate increases above 150°C. In such cases, alternative materials like PAI (polyamide-imide) may be a better choice for close tolerance bearings or seals operating at temperatures above 150°C.

PEEK Rod requires stress-relief through an annealing process before machining to prevent surface cracks and internal stresses. Silicon carbide cutting tools are recommended for natural PEEK Rod, and dry machining is best to preserve its biocompatibility. However, PEEK does not dissipate heat like metals, and in certain cases, a coolant such as pure water may be used to dispel the cutting heat.

PEEK Rod's low surface energy makes it challenging to glue, and bonding may require specialised adhesives. Surface roughening may have a positive effect on adhesion.

Natural PEEK grades comply with FDA regulations for extensive food contact.

PEEK exhibits very good abrasion and high wear resistance.

PEEK Rod demonstrates resistance to a wide range of chemicals and solvents.

PEEK's exceptional radiation resistance makes it unique, as it can absorb over 1000 units of radiation without a noticeable loss of mechanical properties.

PEEK is also known by other trade names, including Victrex® PEEK, Arlon®, and Ketron®.

PEEK Rod is available in natural (off-white) colour and in diameters ranging from 5 mm up to 180mm.

PEEK Rod offers outstanding performance with its robustness and high-temperature capability. Its use in demanding applications and compatibility with vacuum applications make it an excellent choice for various industries.

Despite its excellent properties, the high cost of PEEK Rod may make it unsuitable for most low-end or low-cost components.

PEEK is a unique and high-performance engineering plastic, exhibiting exceptional thermal stability, chemical resistance, and radiation resistance. Its superior mechanical properties and low coefficient of friction make it an ideal choice for various applications, particularly in demanding environments.