1. What is PEEK?
PEEK (Polyetheretherketone) is a high-performance specialty engineering plastic belonging to the polyaryletherketone (PAEK) family. Known for its high-temperature resistance, mechanical strength, chemical resistance, and wear resistance, it is considered the plastic with properties closest to those of metal.
PEEK is often used to replace metal or high-cost alloys in many extremely demanding applications and is a core material in industries such as aerospace, medical, and automotive.
Ii. Main Performance Characteristics
High-temperature resistant
-The continuous operating temperature can reach up to 250℃
-Short-term temperature resistance exceeds 300℃
คุณสมบัติเชิงกลที่ดีเยี่ยม
-The tensile strength is between 90 and 100 MPa
-High strength and high rigidity, it can remain stable even at high temperatures
Chemical corrosion resistance
-It is almost unaffected by oils, acids, alkalis and organic solvents
-Only highly concentrated strong oxidizing acids (such as sulfuric acid) can cause corrosion
Wear-resistant and self-lubricating
-Low coefficient of friction
-It is commonly used in moving parts such as gears, bearings and sealing rings
Flame retardant performance
-Natural flame retardant, UL94 V-0
-No additional flame retardants are needed
Electrical performance
-It can still maintain good insulation even in high-temperature and high-humidity environments
Iii. Common Application Fields
Aerospace: Replacing metals to manufacture lightweight components
อุตสาหกรรมยานยนต์ : Engine compartment, transmission components, reducing weight while improving fuel efficiency
Medical devices: Implants (spinal fixation, dental), high-temperature resistant and sterilized surgical instruments
Petroleum and natural gas: Pipelines, valves, seals, high-temperature resistant and corrosion-resistant
Electronic and electrical: insulating parts, connectors, cable sheaths
Iv. Processing Methods
PEEK can be processed through various techniques:
-Injection molding (suitable for mass production)
-Extrusion molding (rods, tubes, films)
-Compression molding
-Precision machining (CNC, processing high-precision parts)
V. Market Value of PEEK
As a high-end engineering plastic, PEEK is much more expensive than general-purpose plastics.
-Unit price range: 200-500 RMB/kg (depending on the brand)
-Representative suppliers: Victrex (UK), Solvay (Belgium), Evonik (Germany)
✨ In a nutshell: PEEK is the "high-performance king" in the plastic industry and is often used as a lightweight alternative to metals and ceramics in extremely demanding scenarios.
Vi. Comparison of Engineering Plastics
| Property / Material | PEEK | กปปส | PA (Nylon) | POM (Acetal) |
| Heat Resistance | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 250 °C cont. / 300 °C short-term | ⭐⭐⭐ ~180 °C | ⭐⭐ 100–120 °C | ⭐⭐ 100–110 °C |
| ความแข็งแรงทางกล | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Near metal level | ⭐⭐⭐ Medium-high | ⭐⭐ Good | ⭐⭐ Medium |
| Chemical Resistance | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very good | ⭐ Limited | ⭐ Limited |
| Wear & Friction | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent | ⭐⭐ Average | ⭐⭐ Good | ⭐⭐⭐ Very good |
| การหน่วงไฟ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ UL94 V-0 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ UL94 V-0 | ⭐ Additives required | ⭐ Additives required |
| Electrical Properties | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent insulation | ⭐⭐⭐ Good | ⭐⭐ Moderate | ⭐⭐ Moderate |
| Price Level | 💰💰💰💰💰 Very high (200–500 RMB/kg) | 💰💰💰 Medium (60–120 RMB/kg) | 💰 Low (20–40 RMB/kg) | 💰 Low (20–35 RMB/kg) |
| การใช้งานทั่วไป | Aerospace, medical implants, automotive engines, oil & gas equipment | Medical devices, hot water systems | Gears, bearings, auto parts | Gears, bearings, pumps, sliding parts |
Vii. Characteristics of Molecular Structure
PEEK is a semi-crystalline thermoplastic, and its molecular chains include:
-Aromatic ring → provides high thermal stability
-Ketone group (-CO -) → provides strength and rigidity
-Ether bond (-O -) → increases flexibility and toughness
This makes PEEK possess both rigidity, toughness and chemical resistance.
Viii. Common Modification Types
Pure PEEK: High purity, widely used in medical and electrical fields
Glass fiber reinforced PEEK (GF30) : Higher rigidity and strength, suitable for structural components
Carbon fiber reinforced PEEK (CF30) : High strength, wear resistance and electrical conductivity, it is often used in aviation and oil and gas equipment
Self-lubricating PEEK (containing PTFE/ graphite /MoS₂) : Lower friction and longer service life
Ix. Market Trends and Prospects
Growth drivers
-The lightweight demands of aerospace and automotive electrification
-Medical implants and high-end surgical instruments
-The demand for miniaturization and high-temperature resistance in the electronic and electrical industry
-The Asian market (China, India, South Korea, Japan) is growing rapidly
Main challenges
-High price and great processing difficulty
-Specialized equipment has high requirements
-Competition from low-cost substitutes
-Fluctuations in raw material and energy costs
Future trends
-Costs are expected to be gradually optimized
-More customized modified grades (high thermal conductivity, medical grade, bio-based) have emerged
-3D printing is growing rapidly in PEEK applications
-The requirements for sustainable development and recycling have been raised
X. Summary
PEEK is not merely plastic; it serves as a bridge connecting metals and polymer materials. Although it is expensive and difficult to process, it has become an irreplaceable strategic material in the high-end manufacturing field. With the acceleration of the trends of lightweighting, personalization and environmental protection, PEEK will continue to expand its application territory in the next decade.