CNC Machining PEEK

Due to its excellent overall performance, Polyether Ether Ketone (PEEK) can replace traditional materials such as metals and ceramics in many special fields. The machining peek plastic's high temperature resistance, self-lubrication, wear resistance, and fatigue resistance make it one of the most popular high-performance engineering plastics today. CNC machining peek is primarily used in aerospace, automotive, electronics, electrical, and medical device industries.

• PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone) is an aromatic crystalline thermoplastic polymer material that possesses high mechanical strength, high-temperature resistance, impact resistance, flame retardancy, acid and alkali resistance, hydrolysis resistance, wear resistance, fatigue resistance, radiation resistance, and excellent electrical properties.

• Before discussing the processing of PEEK, it is important to have a clear understanding of machining peek plastic processing. CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machining is a manufacturing process that involves the use of computer-controlled machine tools. In the case of custom plastic machining, it involves the precise removal of layers from the plastic material. The technology of carving and machining peek plastic with drilling tools was introduced by MIT in the 1950s, and since it is controlled by a computer, highly accurate products with tight tolerances can be achieved.

• Due to the wide variety of polymers and composite materials, strong technical expertise in polymer materials is crucial when processing peek plastic parts. For example, some plastics are brittle while others can be cut similarly to metals. The challenge with plastics lies in their diverse mechanical properties and behaviors during processing. Therefore, it is important to understand the polymer structure of PEEK when processing it.

When it comes to polymers, there are two fundamental types: thermoplastics and thermosetting plastics. Understanding which type of polymer you are working with is crucial because they have distinct reactions to heat and temperature. Thermoplastics can be repeatedly softened and made flexible as temperature increases, which means the polymer undergoes physical changes upon heating. They have the following characteristics:

• Good resistance to creep

• Can melt before transitioning into a gaseous state

• Soluble in certain solvents

• Expands in the presence of certain solvents

• Allows for plastic deformation when heated

Thermosetting resins, on the other hand, become insoluble and infusible when heated or cured by chemical means, resulting in poor elasticity. They have the following characteristics:

• High resistance to creep

• Cannot be melted

• Insoluble

• Minimal expansion in the presence of solvents

Phenolic materials would be an example of thermosetting materials, while PEEK is an example of a thermoplastic material. Specifically, PEEK is considered a semi-crystalline, high-performance thermoplastic. This allows the machining peek to have sufficient elasticity for processing with various custom peek parts designs, strong mechanical properties that offer fatigue resistance and stress-cracking resistance, as well as a good structure for applications in bearings, wear, and structural applications.

1. Exhibit Biocompatibility

PEEK plastic parts are biocompatible, ensuring they do not cause adverse reactions when implanted in the human body.

2. Provide Mechanical Strength and Durability

CNC machining of PEEK parts offers superior mechanical strength and durability, making them ideal for long-term implants and medical devices.

3. Resist Chemical and Thermal Degradation

PEEK parts resist chemical and thermal degradation, maintaining their integrity even under harsh sterilization processes and exposure to bodily fluids.

4. Enable Radiolucency and Imaging Compatibility

PEEK plastic machining materials are radiolucent, allowing for clear and accurate diagnostic imaging without interfering with X-rays, CT scans, or MRI

Peek is a semi-crystalline, high-temperature resistant plastic with excellent mechanical properties and chemical stability. Its main features include: high temperature resistance, tolerance, high strength, high rigidity and good wear resistance, allowing it to maintain stable performance under various harsh working conditions.

Because machining PEEK materials have excellent comprehensive properties, they can replace metal products, ceramic products, etc. in more and more fields. These include aerospace, automobiles, and electronic parts in the past, as well as current medical care, 3D printing, etc.

1. Automobile field

Parts made of machining PEEK plastic materials are the most widely used in the automotive field. The European market has a high demand for machining PEEK materials, especially parts near automobile engines, transmission parts, steering parts, including PEEK machine screws, PEEK gears, etc., all use PEEK materials. Some cars even contain dozens of PEEK parts.

2. IT industry

In order to achieve low cost and high utilization rate. There is an increasing demand for PEEK materials in the semiconductor industry.

3. Office machinery field

For example, PEEK bearings, bearing bushes, gears, chains, etc. all use PEEK materials. The main reasons include light weight and fatigue resistance. Good lubrication performance etc.

4. Medical industry

Now PEEK can be implanted into the human body through high-pressure sterilization, such as human ribs, skulls, etc., replacing the previous titanium metal. Of course, there are also PEEK denture parts used on teeth.

5. Analytical instruments

PEEK capillary tubes, PEEK connectors, etc. are now widely used in analytical instruments.