Ketron Peek: Sheets, Rods & Tubes

Ketron Peek Characteristics

• Very high maximum allowable service temperature in air (250°C continuously, up to 310°C for short periods)
• High mechanical strength, stiffness and creep resistance, also at elevated temperatures
• Excellent chemical and hydrolysis resistance
• Inherent low flammability and very low levels of smoke evolution during combustion
• Very good dimensional stability
• Excellent wear and frictional behaviour (particularly Ketron PEEK-HPV and PEEK-CA30)
• Excellent resistance against high energy radiation (gamma & X-rays)
• Good electrical insulating and dielectric properties (except for Ketron PEEK-HPV and PEEK-CA30)

Ketron PEEK Applications

Pump wear rings

30% Carbon fibre-reinforced Ketron PEEK improves centrifugal pump efficiency by permitting closer inning tolerances and eliminating corrosion, galling and wear problems (Prior materials: Bronze)

Electrical housing

Ketron PEEK offers precise machinability, mechanical stability and superior electrical insulating characteristics in this coil former that focuses an electron beam to create detail on silicon chips. (Prior materials: Epoxy thermoset)

Bushings, bearings, seals, back up rings

In applications ranging from aircraft to oilfield drilling, components machined from Ketron PEEK improve performance and reliability. (Prior materials: Reinforced PTFE, PPS, Bronze)

Ketron Peek Technical Notes

From 150°C onwards (above the glass transition temperature), the mechanical properties of all Ketron Peek grades drops off significantly and the coefficient of linear thermal expansion increases considerably. Consequently, a material like Torlon* PAI would be better suited for close tolerance parts operating under high loads at temperatures over 150°C.

Like most reinforced materials, Ketron Peek-HPV, Ketron Peek GF30, Ketron Peek CA30 and Ketron Peek TX exhibits a moderate toughness and impact strength. Therefore, all "internal" corners of parts made from these materials should be radiused (R> 1mm) and edges chamfered to maximise part toughness.

Ketron Peek Availability

Ketron PEEK-1000 (PEEK) natural (brownish grey) / black

Ketron PEEK-1000 stock shapes are produced from virgin polyetheretherketone resin and offer the highest toughness and impact strength of all grades. The composition of the raw materials used for the production of the natural stock shapes complies with the directives of the European Union and the American FDA regulations concerning plastic materials intended to come into contact with foodstuffs. These features, added to its excellent sterilisability by means of steam, dry heat, ethylene oxide and gamma irradiation, make this grade very popular in medical, pharmaceutical and food processing industries.

Ketron PEEK-HPV (PEEK + CF + PTFE + graphite) black

The addition of carbon fibres, PTFE and graphite to virgin PEEK results in a "Bearing Grade". Its excellent tribological properties (low friction, long wear and high Pressure-Velocity capabilities) make this grade especially suited for bearing and wear applications.

Ketron PEEK-GF30 (PEEK-GF30) natural (brownish grey)

This 30% glass fibre reinforced grade offers higher stiffness and creep resistance than Ketron PEEK-1000 and has a much better dimensional stability. Ketron PEEK-GF30 is very appropriate for structural parts carrying high static loads for long periods of time at elevated temperatures. Its suitability for sliding parts, however, is to be carefully examined since the glass fibres tend to abrade the mating surface.

Ketron PEEK-CA30 (PEEK-CF30) black

This 30% carbon fibre reinforced grade combines even higher stiffness, mechanical strength and creep resistance than Ketron PEEK-GF30 with an optimum wear resistance. Moreover, the carbon fibres provide 3.5 times higher thermal conductivity than virgin PEEK, dissipating heat from the bearing surface faster.

Ketron PEEK - TX (PEEK + solid lubricant) blue

This new member of the Ketron PEEK family has been developed especially for the food industry. Like Ketron PEEK-1000, this new internally lubricated material has a food contact compliant composition, but offers far superior wear and frictional performance, making it especially suitable for a wide variety of bearing and wear applications in the 100 to 200°C service temperature range.

Ketron Peek Downloads