PEEK Material | A Complete & Definitive Guide
What is PEEK Material?
PEEK (polyetheretherketone) is a high-performance organic thermoplastic polymer with excellent mechanical strength. PEEK material has the ability to maintain stiffness at high temperatures, giving it a proven track record in challenging environments such as aerospace, automotive, and electronics.
PEEK Uses and Material Applications
Peek material properties make it suitable for many different applications. This innovative thermoplastic offers temperature, chemical, and abrasion resistance.
Aerospace
Aircraft parts made of PEEK are chemically resistant to jet fuel, de-icing solutions, steam, salt, water, and hydraulic fluid. PEEK is also lighter than metals, leading to fuel efficiencies.
Automobile
PEEK material can be used in the production of seals and brake components for vehicles. Its resistance to chemicals and strength at high temperatures make it ideal for these applications.
Medical
PEEK has been used as a spinal implant since the 1980s, with efficacy and safety. It is now broadly accepted as a radiolucent alternative to metallic biomaterials.*
Dental
PEEK material is most often incorporated into removable partial dentures. Its excellent abrasion and compressive resistance means it can handle chewing and tearing motions.
Other uses
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- Semiconductor machinery components
- Bushings, bearings, seals, and back-up rings
- Pump and valve components
- Food processing machinery components
PEEK Material Properties
PEEK material has excellent strength, hardness, and temperature resistance. It is also radiolucent, meaning it is almost entirely invisible in x-ray photographs and under fluoroscopy. PEEK has a glass transition temperature of around 143 °C (289 °F) and melts around 343 °C (662 °F). Some grades have a useful operating temperature of up to 250 °C (482 °F). It is highly resistant to thermal degradation, as well as to chemicals or water..***
Because of these PEEK material properties, it is an excellent choice for applications from aerospace to biomedical.
Silicon Nitride PEEK vs. Conventional PEEK
Silicon nitride PEEK composite combines the unique and beneficial bioactivity of silicon nitride with the familiar fit, feel, and processing properties of conventional PEEK polymer.
This material is produced by compounding an extremely fine particulate form of silicon nitride into an implant-grade PEEK matrix. Subsequent forming operations produce new surfaces with the same enhanced properties as the original stock composite, giving device manufacturers design and process flexibility when working with this material.
Compared with conventional PEEK, silicon nitride PEEK avoids coating delamination concerns since the bioceramic is uniformly dispersed throughout the polymer volume instead of adhered to the surface. In addition to exhibiting comparable mechanical properties to monolithic PEEK, silicon nitride PEEK has demonstrated improved imaging properties along with resistance to biofilm formation and up regulation of bone cell activity during testing in vitro.**
Ordering Components Made from PEEK Material
Many manufacturers produce components from PEEK material. Generally, you can contact the manufacturer directly to order components.
It is also possible to enter into an OEM partnership with a PEEK material manufacturer to create custom components. SINTX is available for this type of collaboration.
SINTX is a flexible partner that can deliver one of the best silicon nitride products, perfected by years of experience. Let our leading R&D and manufacturing teams collaborate on specialized and niche application development for your company. Our unique silicon nitride PEEK material is reliable, strong, and antipathogenic.
With years of research and expertise, we’re experts in silicon nitride application development. Our unrivaled in-house manufacturing capabilities allow for intricate designs and shapes that can be rapidly developed, prototyped, and tested across a wide variety of medical and non-medical applications.
Get started on your custom PEEK material components by requesting a quote from SINTX.
Silicon Nitride PEEK Material Datasheet
Download the Silicon Nitride PEEK Material Datasheet to learn more about Flex-SN PEEK (SINTX’s Silicon Nitride PEEK Composite)
PEEK Material FAQs
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What is PEEK material made of?
PEEK is a thermoplastic polymer made of polyether ether ketone.
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Is PEEK material biocompatible?
PEEK is biocompatible, but does not fully fuse with bone because it is hydrophobic. Silicon nitride PEEK (a blend of PEEK and Si3N4) is biocompatible, bioactive, and has shown bacterial resistance and superb bone affinity.****
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PEEK material price?
PEEK material price per pound is generally higher than other high-temperature thermoplastics. This higher price point is often a surprise, especially compared with other polymers. However, these other polymers can’t compete with the advanced properties of PEEK.
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What are the Mechanical properties of PEEK?
PEEK is a semicrystalline thermoplastic with excellent mechanical and chemical resistance properties. It has a tensile strength of 90-100 MPa. and a glass transition temperature of around 143 °C (289 °F). PEEK melts around 343 °C (662 °F)****.
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What does PEEK stand for?
PEEK stands for polyether ether ketone. It is an organic thermoplastic polymer in the polyaryletherketone (PAEK) family, commonly used in engineering applications.
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Where can I find a PEEK manufacturer?
It’s fairly easy to find a PEEK manufacturer, either by word of mouth or searching online. Finding a silicon nitride PEEK manufacturer may require more searching, especially if you want a manufacturer based in the US.
References
*https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0142961207005467
**https://www.nature.com/articles/srep44848
***https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyether_ether_ketone