Optinova today launched PEEK Tubing at ACHEMA 2022, a brand-new product capability never before possible at Optinova and a great addition to our extensive industrial portfolio.
Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) is a high-performance semicrystalline thermoplastic polymer in the polyaryletherketone (PAEK) family. PEEK, with its durability in punishing environments, is one of the few high-performance thermoplastics that can handle the extensive machining needed to produce complex components.
PEEK is often compared to PTFE because they are both high performance thermoplastics. PEEK and PTFE are the two go-to materials of choice for high-pressure engineered applications. Although the two materials share a lot of similar material properties, there are three important areas where PEEK is believed to perform better than PTFE.
PEEK can withstand higher temperatures and stress than PTFE
This is particularly true when used for HPLC applications. Compared to PEEK, PTFE is softer and cannot withstand high pressures as well. In different situations where one might use PTFE, PEEK can substitute with similar or better results. Also, when PEEK is made to burn at very high temperatures, it emits little smoke and does not combust. PEEK tubing is strong yet lighter than metal materials. This is one reason why PEEK tubing is widely used in commercial aircraft.
PEEK is stronger and has lower level of deformation than PTFE
PEEK features one of the highest strength-to-weight ratios of any thermoplastic on the market. Compared to PTFE, PEEK exhibits higher stiffness, dimensional stability with temperature and resistance to creep. Applications requiring strength and low levels of deformation would usually employ PEEK, whereas those requiring resistance to voltage or chemicals utilize PTFE.
Compared to metals such as aluminum and steel, PEEK has greater tensile strength and can withstand prolonged exposure to high temperatures, harsh chemicals, and moisture. PEEK is also considerably lighter than steel or aluminum but does not sacrifice strength in any way. Common applications for PEEK include tubing, piston components, pumps and cable insulation. PEEK tubing is used extensively in advanced engineering, aerospace, food and beverage, and automotive industries. PEEK is an ideal solution for applications requiring strengths and low level of deformation. PEEK has excellent mechanical and chemical resistance properties that are retained to high temperatures.
Optinova offers PEEK tubing at a variety of specifications. You can have your orders cut to size and machined into fabricated parts to meet the needs of just about any application.
Over 50 years of experience serving hundreds of long-term partners, Optinova’s reputation for quality and consistency has been an industry standard that we work hard to maintain every day.
Oliver Komp, VP Business Line Industrial, Optinova Group
PEEK Tubing
PEEK is an ideal solution for applications requiring strengths and low level of deformation. PEEK has excellent mechanical and chemical resistance properties that are retained to high temperatures.
Industrial Tubing
By combining unique polymer properties with advanced production processes, our industrial tubing can handle fluid and gas in the most challenging environments.
Technology
Together with our partners, we constantly strengthen our position as innovation leader in the industry.