14 Nov 2001
Lightweight, durable braiding for aerospace cabling
One of the fastest growing application areas for the UK-based extruder ZYEX Ltd. is PEEK™ polymer monofilaments for protective braiding. Developed specifically to protect the electrical and hydraulic cables used in aerospace and associated industries, this lightweight, precision-woven braiding can provide either a flexible, expandable sleeve structure with a wide range of possible diameters, or a tight over-braid of an existing cable assembly on the machine itself.
Noel Briscoe, ZYEX Technical Manager explains: “The proven wear resistance of PEEK™ polymer over a wide range of conditions led us to the discovery that hollow PEEK™ monofilaments can, in certain situations, enhance the specific abrasion resistance of cable assembly in line with the most stringent industry requirements”.
The selected PEEK™ 381G grade has been specifically developed to be compatible with a range of extrusion techniques including monofilament production. Characterised by its uniformity and its fineness, PEEK™ polymer fibre provides a lower weight and improved abrasion and flex fatigue performance at high temperatures compared with competitive materials.
The PEEK™ polymer monofilaments have an additional 95°C temperature capability over nylon 6/6 fibres and much higher elongation compared to PPS fibre, giving excellent impact recovery. Furthermore, with its outstanding melt viscosity, the PEEK™ polymer is easier to process than virtually any other high temperature-resistant polymer.
Standard PEEK™ monofilaments for these applications are circular in cross-section and range in diameter from 0.20mm to 0.40mm.
In addition to the standard black and natural beige monofilaments, ZYEX offers red, green, yellow, blue, orange, brown and violet products to meet aerospace industry requirements for braiding identification.
Reader enquiries
Helen SwarbrickVictrex plc
Victrex Technology Centre
Hillhouse International
Thornton Cleveleys
Lancashire FY5 4QD
United Kingdom
Tel +44 1253 897700
Fax +44 1253 897701
United Kingdom
Notes for editors
Victrex plc, which has its sales, technical and production headquarters at Thornton Cleveleys in Lancashire, UK, had a turnover of more than £58m in the last financial year. The company exports 98 percent of its VICTREX® PEEK™ polymer output to OEMs in the automotive, industrial, medical, food and electronics market sectors in Europe, North America and Asia Pacific.
Information on products, technical support services and sales and distribution contacts worldwide, can be accessed through the company’s web site: www.victrex.com
The PEEK™ Trademark
For many years Victrex plc has been using the PEEK™ trademark to refer to its brand of Polyaryletherketone. Victrex plc is the sole manufacturer and supplier of the PEEK™ brand polymer world-wide. PEEK™ is a trademark of Victrex plc.
Related images
Photo caption:
Zyex chose PEEK™ polymer for its proven wear resistance, easy processing and lower weight in designing their protective braiding to protect the electrical and hydraulic cables used in aerospace and associated industries.
