PEEK (polyetheretherketone) engineering plastic, as a high-performance material, requires attention to the following matters during use, covering processing, storage, safety protection, and waste disposal:
1. Processing considerations
1.1 Drying treatment
PEEK is prone to moisture absorption. Before processing, it needs to be dried at 150°C for 4-6 hours to ensure the moisture content is below 0.02%, avoiding bubble formation or degradation during processing.
1.2 Temperature control
Injection molding: The barrel temperature is controlled at 360-400°C, and the mold temperature is 170-200°C (for high crystallinity products, it should be 200-220°C).
Extrusion molding: Segmental temperature control, preheating the hopper, melting in the middle section of the barrel, stable temperature at the nozzle, avoiding local overheating.
CNC processing: Use hard alloy or diamond tools, and cooling liquid (such as pure water) is required to prevent overheating deformation during processing.
1.3 Pressure and speed
Injection pressure: 80-150 MPa, adjusted according to the shape of the product, thin-walled parts require high pressure (120-150 MPa).
Injection speed: 20-80 mm/s, balancing filling efficiency and surface quality, avoiding trapped air or weld marks.
Extrusion pressure: 10-30 MPa, speed 0.5-5 m/min, ensuring stable extruded product size.
4. Mold design
Select materials with high temperature resistance and wear resistance (such as H13 or S136 mold steel).
Rationally design the parting surface, gating system, and cooling water channels to ensure uniform cooling and reduce internal stress.
Medical-grade molds need surface polishing or hard chromium treatment to improve demolding performance and surface finish.
5. Post-processing
Tempering treatment: Eliminate internal stress and improve dimensional stability. For example, heat at 230°C for 2-3 hours and then cool slowly.
Surface treatment: Medical-grade products need to avoid contamination. In necessary cases, perform precise polishing or electroplating.
2. Storage and transportation
2.1 Environmental requirements
Store in a low-temperature, dry, and ventilated environment, avoiding contact with reactive substances (such as resorcinol, diphenylsulfone).
Store in a sealed container to prevent moisture absorption or contamination.
2.2 Classification management
Medical-grade PEEK should be stored separately to avoid cross-contamination with other materials.
Recycled materials should be mixed in proportion (pure material ≤ 30%, reinforced material ≤ 15%), and strictly cleaned.
3. Safety and protection
3.1 Operating norms
Wear protective equipment (work clothes, gloves, goggles) during processing to avoid skin contact with molten resin.
Prohibit smoking and open flames in the processing area, maintain ventilation to prevent leakage of heat transfer oil or electric shock risks.
3.2 Emergency handling
If powder enters the eyes, immediately rinse with a large amount of water and seek medical attention.
If molten resin comes into contact with the skin, cool with water and seek medical help. Do not use solvents to remove it.
3.3 Environmental requirements
PEEK should be recycled or disposed of in accordance with environmental regulations to avoid microplastic pollution.
Production by-products (such as carbon dioxide， sodium fluoride) should be treated through condensation， alkali liquid absorption， or recovery systems.
4. Specific requirements for application fields
1. Medical industry
Use biocompatible PEEK that meets FDA standards， processed by sterile operation by professional doctors.
Processing equipment should be thoroughly cleaned to prevent impurities from mixing in and ensure product hygiene and safety.
2. Aerospace
Need to pass high-temperature tests and thermal aging tests to ensure the stability of the material in extreme environments.
Mold design should consider a balance between lightweight and high strength to meet the requirements of structural components.
3. Electronic and electrical
Utilize the excellent electrical insulation properties of PEEK to manufacture high-temperature terminals， motor insulation materials， etc.
Control processing temperature to avoid material decomposition affecting electrical performance.
5. Common problems and solutions
1. Part cracking
Reason： Internal stress not eliminated， improper processing temperature.
Solution： Optimize tempering process， adjust processing temperature and cooling rate.
2. Surface roughness
Reason： Insufficient surface smoothness of the mold， uneven cooling. Solution: Polish the surface of the mold, optimize the design of the cooling water channels.
3. Dimension Deviation
Reason: Differences in thermal expansion coefficients, processing deformation. Solution: Adopt symmetrical processing, control the blank allowance, and adjust the clamping method.
