Highlights Of PEEK Injection Molding
PEEK injection molding is a polyetheretherketone (PEEK) product manufactured using injection molding. It inherits all the advantages of PEEK resin while achieving complex structures and high dimensional accuracy through precision injection molding:
- Excellent Thermal Stability: Can operate continuously at 260°C, with short-term temperature resistance approaching 300°C, and can withstand repeated thermal shocks without deterioration.
- Superior Chemical Resistance: Stable to most industrial chemicals, including fuels, hydraulic fluids, acids, alkalis, and many solvents.
- Excellent Mechanical Strength and Toughness: Maintains rigidity and impact resistance at high temperatures, and is not easily deformed or broken.
- Excellent Sliding Properties: Low coefficient of friction and high wear resistance, particularly suitable for moving parts in unlubricated or harsh conditions.
- Stable Electrical Properties: Low dielectric constant with minimal influence from frequency and temperature, making it ideal for high-frequency and high-voltage insulation.
- Hygiene and Safety: Complies with FDA, USP Class VI, and RoHS requirements, suitable for medical and food contact applications.
PEEK Injection Molding Process Techniques
Although PEEK has a high melting point and high melt viscosity, with proper process control, it can achieve high-precision molding of complex shapes:
- Raw Material Drying
- Before injection molding, it must be vacuum dried at above 150°C for at least 4 hours to ensure a moisture content below 0.02%.
- Temperature Setting
- Barrel: 360–400°C (slightly lower at the beginning, slightly higher at the end)
- Nozzle: 370–400°C
- Mold: 160–190°C, ensuring uniform crystallinity.
- Injection Strategy
- Use segmented injection: low-speed filling of the runner, high-speed mold filling to reduce shear stress and warpage.
- Maintain high holding pressure to ensure density.
- Mold and Design
- The mold must have a good heat conduction and venting system to avoid air entrapment and scorching.
- During design, ensure uniform wall thickness to reduce stress concentration.
- Post-processing Optimization
- Aging treatment at approximately 180°C can be performed to further release internal stress and improve dimensional stability and mechanical properties.
Applications of PEEK Injection Molding
Due to its high designability and stable performance, PEEK injectin molding has found innovative applications in the following industries:
- Artificial Intelligence: Humanoid robot components
- Semiconductor Manufacturing: Wafer carriers, vacuum chamber components, electrostatic chuck insulation components
- Energy Equipment: Nuclear power plant components, high-temperature structural components for solar thermal power generation systems
- High-End Industrial Equipment: High-temperature guide components for textile machinery, heat-resistant components for printing presses
- Medical Implants: Spinal fixation systems, wound repair implants
- Precision Instruments: Core components for mass spectrometers and gas chromatographs
- Sporting Goods: Lightweight, high-temperature resistant parts for high-end bicycles and racing cars
