Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) is a colourless organic thermoplastic polymer in the polyaryletherketone (PAEK) family, used in engineering applications. It was invented in November 1978[2] and brought to market in the early 1980s by part of Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI), the PEEK division was acquired through a management buyout, giving rise to Victrex PLC.[3]
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| Identifiers | |
|---|---|
PubChem CID
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| Properties | |
| (C19H12O3)n | |
| Molar mass | 288.3 g/mol |
| Density | 1.32 g/cm3 |
| Melting point | 343 °C (649 °F; 616 K) |
| Related compounds | |
Related compounds
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Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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| Polyether ether ketone | |
|---|---|
| Physical properties | |
| Density (ρ) | 1.32 g/cm3 |
| Water absorption—over 24 hours | 0.1% |
| Mechanical properties | |
| Young's modulus (E) | 3.6 GPa |
| Tensile strength (σt) | 90–100 MPa |
| Elongation (ε) at break | 50% |
| Notch test | 55 kJ/m2 |
| Thermal properties | |
| Melting temperature (Tm) | 343 °C |
| Glass transition temperature (Tg) | 143 °C |
| Thermal conductivity (k) | 0.25 W/(m⋅K) |
| [1] | |
Synthesis
editPEEK 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 sulfone.[4][5]
Properties
editPEEK is a semicrystalline thermoplastic with excellent mechanical and chemical resistance properties that are retained to high temperatures. The processing conditions used to mould PEEK can influence the crystallinity and hence the mechanical properties. Its Young's modulus is 3.6 GPa and its tensile strength is 90 to 100 MPa.[6] 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).[4] The thermal conductivity increases nearly linearly with temperature between room temperature and solidus temperature.[7] It is highly resistant to thermal degradation,[8] as well as to attack by both organic and aqueous environments. It is attacked by halogens and strong Brønsted and Lewis acids, as well as some halogenated compounds and aliphatic hydrocarbons at high temperatures. It is soluble in concentrated sulfuric acid at room temperature, although dissolution can take a very long time unless the polymer is in a form with a high surface-area-to-volume ratio, such as a fine powder or thin film. It has high resistance to biodegradation.
Applications
editPEEK is used to fabricate items for demanding applications, including bearings, piston parts, pumps, high-performance liquid chromatography columns, compressor plate valves, and electrical cable insulation. It is one of the few plastics compatible with ultra-high vacuum applications, which makes it suitable for aerospace, automotive, and chemical industries.[9] PEEK is used in medical implants, for example in creating a partial replacement skull in neurosurgical applications.
PEEK is used in spinal fusion devices and reinforcing rods.[10] It is radiolucent, but it is hydrophobic causing it to not fully fuse with bone.[9][11] PEEK seals and manifolds are commonly used in fluid applications. PEEK also performs well in high temperature applications (up to 260 °C/500 °F).[12] Because of this and its low thermal conductivity, it is also used in fused filament fabrication (FFF) printing to thermally separate the hot end from the cold end.
Processing options
editPEEK melts at a relatively high temperature (343 °C / 649.4 °F) compared to most other thermoplastics. In the range of its melting temperature it can be processed using injection moulding or extrusion methods. It is technically feasible to process granular PEEK into filament form and 3D printing parts from the filament material using fused deposition modeling – FDM (or fused filament fabrication – FFF) technology.[13][14] PEEK filaments have been demonstrated for producing medical devices up to class IIa.[15] With this new filament, it is possible to use the FFF method for different medical applications like dentures.
In its solid state PEEK is readily machinable, for example, by CNC milling machines and is commonly used to produce high-quality plastic parts that are thermostable and both electrically and thermally insulating. Filled grades of PEEK can also be CNC machined, but special care must be taken to properly manage stresses in the material.
PEEK is a high-performance polymer, but its high price, due to its complex production process, restricts its use to only the most demanding applications.[16]
Shape-memory PEEK in biomechanical applications
editPEEK is not traditionally a shape-memory polymer; however, recent advances in processing have allowed shape-memory behaviour in PEEK with mechanical activation. This technology has expanded to applications in orthopaedic surgery.[17]
References
edit- ^ van der Vegt, A.K.; Govaert, L.E. (2003). Polymeren, van keten tot kunstof (in Dutch) (5th ed.). DUP Blue. ISBN 90-407-2388-5.
- ^ "Victrex celebrates 40 years of PEEK success". Victrex. Retrieved 2021-11-01.
- ^ "Why PEEK?". drakeplastics.com. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- ^ a b David Parker; Jan Bussink; Hendrik T. van de Grampe; Gary W. Wheatley; Ernst-Ulrich Dorf; Edgar Ostlinning; Klaus Reinking (15 April 2012). Polymers, High-Temperature. Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry. doi:10.1002/14356007.a21_449.pub3. ISBN 978-3527306732. (subscription required)
- ^ Kemmish, David (2010). Update on the Technology and Applications of PolyArylEtherKetones. ISmithers. ISBN 978-1-84735-408-2.
- ^ Material Properties Data: Polyetheretherketone (PEEK), www.makeitfrom.com.
- ^ Blumm, J.; Lindemann, A.; Schopper, A. (2008). "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. pp. 306–8. ISSN 0911-1743.
- ^ Patel, Parina; Hull, T. Richard; McCabe, Richard W.; Flath, Dianne; Grasmeder, John; Percy, Mike (May 2010). "Mechanism of thermal decomposition of poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) from a review of decomposition studies" (PDF). Polymer Degradation and Stability. 95 (5): 709–718. doi:10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2010.01.024.
- ^ a b "PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone)". www.scientificspine.com. Retrieved 2020-05-06.
- ^ Lauzon, Michael (May 4, 2012). "Diversified Plastics Inc., PEEK playing role in space probe". PlasticsNews.com. Crain Communications Inc. Retrieved May 6, 2012.
- ^ "10 Porous TLIF cages to Know...!". SPINEMarketGroup. 2020-02-01. Retrieved 2020-05-06.
- ^ "Properties of PEEK Material". www.uplandfab.com.
- ^ Newsom, Michael (24 March 2014). "Arevo Labs announces Carbon Fiber and Nanotube-reinforced High Performance materials for 3D Printing Process". Solvay Press Releases. LouVan Communications Inc. Retrieved 27 January 2016.
- ^ Thryft, Ann. "3D Printing High-Strength Carbon Composites Using PEEK, PAEK". Design News. Archived from the original on 2 February 2016. Retrieved 27 January 2016.
- ^ Press release Indmatec PEEK MedTec[permanent dead link].
- ^ Yin, Jun; Zhang, Aiqing; Liew, Kong Yong; Wu, Lihua (2008). "Synthesis of poly(ether ether ketone) assisted by microwave irradiation and its characterization". Polymer Bulletin. 61 (2): 157–163. doi:10.1007/s00289-008-0942-6. ISSN 1436-2449. S2CID 97563069.
- ^ 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.