Text/Polymer

The excellent comprehensive performance of PEEK makes it widely used in automotive, aviation, electronic information, pipeline and other fields. Due to low dielectric constant and replacement of metal by PEEK materials, it can be used in antenna modules, filters, connectors and other related components in 5G field. Today I will introduce you to this material.

1. Material PEEK

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK), as a typical specialty engineering plastic, has excellent mechanical and physical properties. Its structural formula is as follows.

Figure 1-1 Structure of PEEK

The backbone is a high molecular weight polymer formed by alternating ester and ketone bonds. Compared with other heat-resistant plastics, PEEK is currently highest temperature-resistant and best overall performance variety among specialty engineering plastics. traditional thermoplastics can be used.Technological equipment for injection molding, pressing and extrusion. In addition, PEEK has good chemical corrosion resistance, radiation resistance, excellent self-lubricity, flame retardant and chemical resistance, etc.

Second, PEEK manufacturer

PEEK is almost insoluble in all common organic solvents, and high temperatures are often required to dissolve PEEK. In addition, it is not easy to synthesize PEEK and cost is high, so companies with higher production capacity are mainly concentrated abroad.

Table 2-1. Position of world's main PEEK producers in 2019

3. PEEK modification

3.1 Main problems in actual application of PEEK

Ø Wear resistance still cannot meet project needs;

Ø Forming is more difficult;

Ø Adhesion to surface is poor, adhesive force with filler is low;

Ø Poor thermal conductivity.

Therefore, in order to expand scope of PEEK, it is necessary to modify PEEK. At present, main modification methods for PEEK include polymer blending modification, fiber reinforcement modification, inorganic particle filling modification, whisker modification, and synergistic modification.

3.2 Modification of polymer blend

PEEK is blended with other engineering plastics or some specialty engineering plastics. While resulting blended composite can reduce costs and optimize certain properties such as wear resistance, it will significantly impact other PEEK properties.

Blending systems currently under investigation include PEEK/Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) composites, PEEK/PEI composites, PEEK/PTFE composites, TPI/PEEK blends, etc.

3.3 Fiber reinforced modification

Adding reinforcing fibers to polymers can effectively improve wear resistance of PEEK composites and reduce manufacturing costs. However, fiber-reinforced PEEK composite material has certain limitations in manufacturing process. For example, during hot pressing process, during blending process of fiber and PEEK, fiber unity may occur, resulting in poor blend uniformity.

Fiber reinforcement systems currently under investigation include composites based on polyetherketone reinforced with chopped glass fiber (SGF/PEEK); composites based on polyetherketone reinforced with long glass fiber (GFF/PEEK); thermoplastic composite based on etherketone (CFF/PEEK).

3.4 Inorganic particle filling modification

Inorganic particle-filled PEEK systems currently under investigation include micron-sized SiC/PEEK composite materials and reinforced PEEK materials filled with Al2O3 particles.

In addition to above particles, there are other particles such as Cu, SiO2, MoS2, etc. filled to improve processing performance and productivity of composite material manufacturing process.

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