Peek injection is a process used to inject high-performance polymers into small plastic parts with tight tolerances. It uses a unique step-growth polymerization to achieve a low viscosity, resulting in rapid crystallization and less warping during cooling. This allows for a precise control of the injection parameters, and it makes Peek injection ideal for applications that require a high level of accuracy or complex geometries. Peek has several advantages over other plastics, including corrosion resistance, chemical stability, flame retardancy, and strength. These properties make it a popular material for replacing metal in manufacturing applications.
PEEK is a thermoplastic that can be molded and formed by various methods, such as injection molding, extrusion, and compression molding. It is an odorless, colorless plastic with good mechanical properties and high tensile strength that rivals alloy materials. PEEK has excellent fatigue resistance and is resistant to stress cracking, making it a great replacement for metals. It is also insoluble in any solvent except concentrated sulfuric acid and has high thermal stability.
Due to its superior performance and versatility, peek is a popular choice for a wide range of industries, including aerospace, automotive, and medical devices. It is highly durable and can withstand a variety of environmental conditions, from harsh chemicals to radiation sterilization. In addition to its strength and durability, peek injection is also environmentally friendly, making it an attractive alternative to other plastics.
Injection molding PEEK is challenging, but it can be made easier if proper processing temperatures are maintained. If the right processing temperatures are not used, PEEK can become more prone to fatigue and stress cracking. This is why it is essential to ensure the temperature is correct throughout the entire process.
This is especially important when working with a new material like Peek, as it can be prone to failures that are not found in other plastics. These failures can be caused by a number of things, such as cold material points, silver lines, fusion marks, porosity, and warpage.
To avoid these problems, it is crucial to understand the injection molding process of PEEK before beginning production. PEEK has a very high melting point and is a very dense material. It is not a melt-flowing material, so it must be fed through the mold at a very slow rate. It is also essential to keep the injection mold clean to prevent contamination from other plastics, which can cause a number of different defects in the finished product.
PEEK injection molding Ohio requires a special machine to maintain the correct processing temperatures. The injection machines should be set to a temperature between 350 degC and 400 degC (662 degF-752 degF). Additionally, the PEEK pellets or grains should be dry before injection molding, as they can absorb moisture from the air. If the PEEK is not properly hydrated, it can lead to cold material points, silver streaks, and other defects. The tensile strength results of nine groups of orthogonal experiments were evaluated using the mechanical tensile test equipment (CMT4304).