16 Jul 2003
Victrex® PEEK™ polymer pumps up the power in electrodynamic loudspeakers
Cabasse, based in Brest, France, an established manufacturer of ultra-high yield speaker systems, has turned to Victrex® PEEK™ polymer for the spiders on its latest range of professional loudspeakers. The innovative use of the high performance polymer has allowed Cabasse to build on its reputation for “uncompromising acoustics” by significantly improving the power capacity of the transducer.
An electrodynamic loudspeaker is a transducer with a very poor yield. All parts surrounding the movable unit inside these 1,000 watt speakers, (acoustic diaphragm, coil, spider, front suspension), must exhibit outstanding heat resistance, as 97% of the electrical power delivered by the amplifier is dissipated in the form of heat. Cabasse’s R&D manager Yvon Kerneis explains: “Spiders are traditionally manufactured from a cotton fabric coated with phenolic resin. However, at full power, we have measured temperatures as high as 270°C in the coil area. With a very high melt temperature, (343°C), and a continuous operating temperature of up to 260°C (UL746B), the monofilament yarn of Victrex® PEEK™ polymer gave us the necessary high temperature resistance”.
A further important criterion in material selection for Cabasse was strength and fatigue resistance, as guide parts like the spider must withstand significant displacements. Victrex® PEEK™ polymer fabric delivers an ideal combination of stiffness, elongation at yield and, most importantly, very high fatigue resistance.
In addition to its excellent combination of mechanical and thermal properties, Victrex® PEEK™ polymer’s inherent ease of processing has simplified Cabasse’s manufacturing process and thereby improved productivity.
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 £59m in the last financial year. The company exports 97 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 Polyetheretherketone. Victrex plc is the sole manufacturer and supplier of the Victrex® PEEK™ brand polymer world-wide. PEEK™ is a trademark of Victrex plc.
Related images
An outstanding combination of high temperature resistance, strength and fatigue resistance has made Victrex® PEEKTM polymer the material of choice for the spider inside this Cabasse loudspeaker.
(Photo Victrex® PEEKTM VXPR171E0703)
