Solvay launches wear-resistant grades of PEEK
S olvay Advanced Polymers Llc's portfolio of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) resins now includes five wearresistant grades that are being marketed as replacements for metals.
These products includes two unmodified and three modified PEEK materials designed for high-performance injection-moulded applications, including seal rings, thrust washers, brake components, gears and needle bearings for use in the automotive, industrial and heavy-duty equipment industries.
According to Solvay, these formulations provide an effective all-plastic alternative to more complex metal-based designs, including rolling components for high-temperature friction and wear applications, in both lubricated and nonlubricated environments.
Solvay KetaSpire unmodified PEEK is cited as one of the industry's most chemically resistant plastics, offering excellent strength, superior fatigue resistance and a heat deflection temperature up to 315ยฐC. A graphite/carbon-fibre/PTFE-filled grade is suitable for both lubricated and non-lubricated applications, and there is a carbon-fibre/PTFE-filled grade for lubricated environments.
The AvaSpire line of proprietary PEEK-based compounds includes a carbon-fibre/graphite-filled grade for high load-bearing applications in lubricated environments. Two carbon-fibre/graphite/ PTFE-filled grades have high and low melt-flow characteristics respectively, and are suitable for both lubricated and non-lubricated environments.
An important advantage of all AvaSpire grades, says Solvay, is that although 30% cheaper than comparable PEEK grades they provide comparable strength and modulus, and equivalent or better chemical resistance.