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PEEK or PTFE

Intro to PEEK

• PEEK (polyetheretherketone) is one of the most useful compounds humans

have developed to date. • It is a semicrystalline thermoplastic, classified as a ultra polymer.

• Some useful properties are : radiation resistant, high heat resistance, chemical resistance and virtually no friction.

• Some applications include aerospace technologies, medical implants, automotive technology, and many more.

PEEK Specifications• Polymers of peek are synthesized by step-growth polymerization. • It melts at 350 degrees Celsius, and does not begin to readily deform before

this point. • It is highly radiation resistant, able to absorb over 1000 Mrads. It has an

amazingly high resistance to high levels of gamma radiation. • It has a very low coefficient of friction, only 0.25.• If it is burned, it emits some of the lowest smoke and toxic gas emissions of

any thermoplastic. • It barely absorbs moisture, even when in presence of steam.• It has a very low thermal expansion rate, just 25 micrometers per degree

Celsius. • Excellent resistance to organic acids and phosphorus acid. • Very strong, with a tensile strength of 13 000 psi. • Low conductivity. • Biologically compatible with the human body.

Applications of PEEK

• As PEEK a very strong material, it can be used in many demanding applications. Some of these include: bearings, pistons, pumps, cable insulation and so on.

• It is also one of the only plastics that can be used in ultra-high vacuum situations, and as such can be used in aerospace technologies.

• It is an advanced biomaterial commonly used in medical implants, such as artificial heart valves.

• Because it is resistance to acids, high temperatures and high pressures, it is often used in the chemical processing industry.

• It’s often used in nuclear power facilities for its high resistance to radiation.

• Other applications include the automotive industry, as it is highly resistant to heat and the environment.

Intro to PTFE

• PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) is more commonly known as Teflon.

• It is very well known, and has many useful applications.

• It is a thermoplastic polymer.

• The most common application: the non-stick coating found on many pots and pans, in millions of kitchens throughout the world.

• There are many other common applications of this stupendous polymer.

PTFE specifications• Resistant to many different chemicals, including ammonia, chlorine and

sulphuric acid.• Resistant to UV radiation and other forces of nature.• Very low coefficient of friction, less than 0.1.• Retains it’s properties over a wide range of temperatures, from -240 to 260

degree’s Celsius.• Melts at 330 degree’s Celsius, and is resistant to heat.• It doesn’t absorb moisture, as it’s hydrophobic. • It repels lipids, making for easy cleanup. • It’s a good electrical insulator. • It doesn’t absorb light, so it doesn’t not deteriorate in the presence of harsh

light energy.• It diffuses a transmitted light exceptionally, opening up new applications in

more fields.• Biologically compatible with the human body.

PFTE Applications• Used for non-stick cookware, as it has low coefficient of friction and high

heat resistance.

• Used to make measuring heads in spectroradiometers because it is able to efficiently diffuse a transmitted light over several wavelengths.

• Can be used to prevent insects from climbing onto surfaces.• Is often used to cover armor-piercing bullets, to prevent damage to the

barrel.• Used in many different laboratory equipment, as it is resistant to corrosion. It

is used in tubing for chemicals, magnetic stirrer coatings, etc. • Used in plumbing to seal joints between pipes. • Used in computer technologies, for low friction mouse feet, as well as cable

insulators. • Often used in medical applications, grafted into arteries that begins to

constrict. • Also used in body piercings, as it’s flexible and compatible with the body.

Cons of PEEK

• PEEK is not very resistant to certain concentrated acids, among them nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, and mineral acids.

• Won't decompose readily in nature, as it is so resistant to many things.

• The name is hard to pronounce. Try saying polyetheretherketone three times fast.

• Not many people have heard of this thermoplastic.

• Expensive and difficult to process.

Cons of PTFE

• Traces of PFTE compounds can leak into food, the compound starts to break up at 260 degrees Celsius.

• Fumes are toxic if it burns. Cooking fumes have been found to kill pet birds.

• DuPont is the big player in Teflon.

• May cause cancer when used as a non-stick coating.

• Some evidence suggest it causes birth defects, when used as a non-stick coating.

• Safer alternatives for non-stick coatings are around.

• Small amounts of PFOA have been found on Teflon coatings.

• Won't decompose easily in nature.

• Can actually cause flu-like symptoms.

What Does PEEK Look Like?

What Does PTFE Look Like

BibliographyWe'd like to thank:

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Unspecified author. Teflon chemicals found in humans. [Online] Available http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/teflon.html. August 2, 2004.

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Unspecified author. Polytetrafluoroethylene. [Online] Available http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teflon. May 31, 2010.

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