Polymers for heavy engineering applications

PEEK Chemical Resistance Since PEEK™ polymer is semi-crystalline, it is insoluble in all common solvents and has excellent resistance to a very wide range of organic and inorganic liquids. - High temp. crystalline t’plastic resin -Its wholly aromatic structure contributes to its high temp. performance

Material Characteristics: Very high continuous use temperature. Outstanding chemical resistance. Outstanding wear resistance. Excellent hydrolysis resistance. Excellent mechanical properties. Very low flammability and smoke generation. Resistant to high levels of gamma radiation.

PEEK™ polymer is increasingly used in the aerospace industry as a replacement for metal components, because it combines all these characteristics with easy processability. There are many PEEK™ polymer applications in the aerospace industry, such as in-engine, aircraft exterior and aircraft interior components.

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK™) is an engineering thermoplastic which exhibits excellent long- and short-term heat resistance. This semicrystalline material also features inherent flame retardancy.

PEEK™ has good resistance to most strong and weak acids, alkalis and organic solvents. For aerospace applications, PEEK™'s superior flame retardancy is mandatory for cabin interior parts The KETRON PEEK family of materials is based on polyetheretherketone resin. This semi- crystalline advanced material exhibits a unique combination of high mechanical properties, temperature resistance and excellent chemical resistance, making it the most popular advanced plastics material

Aircraft Interior The aerospace industry requires construction materials which are light in weight, have excellent physical and thermal characteristics, and reduce the hazard to passengers and crew in the event of a fire. PEEK exhibits very low smoke and toxic gas emission when exposed to flame.

In-Engine The key performance parameters for most in- engine applications of PEEK™ polymer are the ability to survive high temperatures and the tribological interaction of dry and lubricated material contacts. Tribology may be defined in terms of the interfacial friction and wear of material surfaces in relative motion. Generally, thermoplastics which experience demanding tribological contacts undergo excessive localized heating, resulting in partial melting and material failure.

Compounds based on PEEK polymer, are used to form tribological components due to their outstanding resistance to wear under high pressure and high velocity conditions. PEEK™ polymer has a continuous operating temperature of 500°F (260°C) (UL746B) and retains a high level of physical properties close to the melting temperature of 645°F (343°C).

Aircraft Exterior The wear performance of the exterior components of jet aircraft depends on the impact of the material surfaces with rain or particulate matter in the atmosphere. Independent testing has shown that, of the materials tested, only high grade ceramics and special metal alloys show superior rain erosion resistance to PEEK™ polymer

Polyaryletherketone (PAEK) Leanding materials among the high-temp stable thermoplastics Allow continuous operating temp. of 250C Tg and Tm depends on the ratio of the ketone to ether groups Various complicated configurations can be obtained such as PEKEKK

Characterized as it favourable bahavior in fire The density of PAEK fumes in fire is the lowest of the TPs It has low corrosive and toxic fumes The quantity of the heat released upon the outbreak of a fire is quite low-meet aviation regulations for interior use Polyaryletherketone (PAEK)

Polyamide-imide (PAI) Engineering thermoplastic Excellent dimensional stability, high strength at high temp., & good impact resistance Creep resistance is among the best of the thermoplastics Dimensional stability is extremely good

Extremely resistant to flame & quite low smoke generation However, PAI is attacked by some acids at high temp., and by steam at high pressure and temp. Used in structural parts which require high strength at high temp, aerospace product, underground environment, automotive parts; timing gear, piston rigs, etc. Polyamide-imide (PAI)

Liquid Crystal Polymer Sometimes called super polymers Outstanding strength at extreme temp., excellent mech. properties retention after exposure to weathering, good dielectric properties, and low CTE Available in amorphous and crystalline grades

Major application of LCPs are in metal and ceramic replacement that require resistance to high temperature. Used in automotive & aerospace part- that require ability to withstand high temp. & flame retardance Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP)