11 Jul 2002
PEEK-HT™ polymer adds superior high temperature heat performance to Victrex® PEEK™ polymer portfolio
Victrex® plc is launching PEEK-HT™ polymer, a unique high performance material developed for applications that demand superior higher temperature resistance. With a glass transition temperature of 157°C (315°F) and a melting temperature of 374°C (705°F), this semi-crystalline, unreinforced polymer delivers extended high temperature performance, while offering all the key characteristics of natural PEEK™ polymer, including toughness, strength and chemical resistance.
With its ease of processing, high precision reproducibility and long-term product reliability, PEEK-HT™ polymer offers manufacturers a premium material which is still a more cost-effective, lightweight alternative to metals. Key industries where there is a demand for extreme heat resistance applications are for example the automotive, aerospace and engineering industries. Typical applications include engine compartment applications, headlamp reflectors, aircraft components, sub sea connectors, heat exchanger parts and industrial valve linings.
A period of intense testing by Victrex® has proven the superior performance of
PEEK-HT™ compared with other high performance materials. Compared with the performance of standard PEEK™ polymer, unreinforced PEEK-HT™ polymer provides:
• Superior high temperature performance
- The ability to retain mechanical and physical properties to temperatures up to 30°C (54°F) higher than PEEK™ polymer.
- Up to 3 times the wear resistance of PEEK™ polymer (450G) at high temperatures
- Long-term creep and fatigue resistance over a wide temperature range
- Substantially higher tensile strength and flexural modulus at 250°C (482°F).
• Improved compressive strength
• Exceptional resistance to chemicals, solvents and fuels
• Inherent low flammability, low smoke emission
• Good electrical properties
• Excellent hydrolysis resistance
• Consistent ease of processing
• Availability in powder or granules
This important addition to the Victrex® portfolio has already been fully tested and commercially proven in down hole and sub sea environments. It has been specified for the body of an 8 pin connector used in oilfield exploration and production, where it offers long-term product reliability after prolonged exposure to extreme temperature and pressure levels. Furthermore, the PEEK-HT™ polymer eliminated product failure problems associated with assembly and secondary operations, as it is injection moulded as a single component.
PEEK-HT™ polymer is available as powder, PEEK-HT™ P22, or granules, PEEK-HT™ G22.
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 £72m in the last financial year.
The company exports 95 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.
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PEEK-HT™ polymer adds superior high temperature heat performance to Victrex® PEEK™ polymer portfolio
