Polyether ether ketone is a colourless organic thermoplastic polymer in the polyaryletherketone
family, used in engineering applications.
Synthesis PEEK polymers are obtained by step-growth
polymerization by the dialkylation of bisphenolate salts.
Typical is the reaction of 4,4'-difluorobenzophenone with the disodium salt of hydroquinone, which
is generated in situ by deprotonation with sodium carbonate.
The reaction is conducted around 300 °C in polar aprotic solvents - such as diphenyl
sulphone.
Properties PEEK is a semicrystalline thermoplastic with
excellent mechanical and chemical resistance properties that are retained to high temperatures.
The processing conditions used to mold PEEK can influence the crystallinity, and hence
the mechanical properties.
The Young's modulus is 3.6 GPa and its tensile strength 90 to 100 MPa.
PEEK has a glass transition temperature of around 143 °C and melts around 343 °C. Some
grades have a useful operating temperature of up to 250 °C . The thermal conductivity
increases nearly linearly versus temperature between room temperature and solidus temperature.
It is highly resistant to thermal degradation as well as attack by both organic and aqueous
environments.
It is attacked by halogens and strong Bronsted and Lewis acids as well as some halogenated
compounds and aliphatic hydrocarbons at high temperatures.
It dissolves completely in concentrated sulfuric acid at room temperature.
Applications Because of its robustness, PEEK is used to
fabricate items used in demanding applications, including bearings, piston parts, pumps, HPLC
columns, compressor plate valves, and cable insulation.
It is one of the few plastics compatible with ultra-high vacuum applications.
PEEK is considered an advanced biomaterial used in medical implants.
It is finding increased use in spinal fusion devices and reinforcing rods.
It is extensively used in the aerospace, automotive, and chemical process industries.
PEEK's mechanical properties at elevated temperatures have led to it being used in at least two
varieties of Reprap extruder as thermal insulation.
This means the main mechanical structure of the extruder can be made of the same material
that is being extruded, provided that the PEEK insulator prevents heat from traveling
beyond the intended melt zone.
Shape memory PEEK in biomechanical applications PEEK is not traditionally a shape memory polymer;
however, recent advances in processing have allowed shape memory behavior in PEEK with
mechanical activation.
This technology has expanded to applications in orthopedic surgery.
References ^ A.K. van der Vegt & L.E.
Govaert, Polymeren, van keten tot kunstof, ISBN 90-407-2388-5
^ David Parker, Jan Bussink, Hendrik T. van de Grampe, Gary W. Wheatley, Ernst-Ulrich
Dorf, Edgar Ostlinning, Klaus Reinking.
"Polymers, High-Temperature".
Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry.
Wiley-VCH, Weinheim,.
doi:10.1002/14356007.a21_449.pub3.
^ David Kemmish "Update on the Technology and Applications of PolyArylEtherKetones"
2010.
ISBN 978-1-84735-408-2.
^ Material Properties Data: Polyetheretherketone, www.makeitfrom.com
^ J. Blumm, A. Lindemann, A. Schopper, "Influence of the CNT content on the thermophysical properties
of PEEK-CNT composites", Proceedings of The 29th Japan Symposium on Thermophysical Properties,
October 8–10, 2008, Tokyo ^ Lauzon, Michael.
"Diversified Plastics Inc., PEEK playing role in space probe".
PlasticsNews.com.
Crain Communications Inc.
Retrieved May 6, 2012.
^ Anonymous.
"Surgical Technologies; MedShape Solutions, Inc.
Announces First FDA-cleared Shape Memory PEEK Device; Closing of $10M Equity Offering".
Medical Letter on the CDC & FDA.
External References Application note on methods of characterizing
the crystallinity of PEEK