PEEK: The “Super-Plastic” for Extreme Missions

When standard engineering plastics like Nylon or PC reach their breaking point, PEEK (Polyetheretherketone) is just getting started. Often referred to as the “Platinum” of the plastic world, PEEK is a high-performance thermoplastic that can comfortably replace stainless steel and titanium in the most demanding environments on Earth—and in space.

It is the material of choice for the aerospace, medical, and semiconductor industries. Why? Because it is virtually indestructible. It resists chemicals that melt other plastics, it can be sterilized thousands of times, and it maintains its structural “backbone” at temperatures that would turn a Lego brick into a puddle.

Technical Specs: The Elite Profile

Engineering Without Compromise

In Injection Molding, PEEK is a formidable challenge that rewards the effort. It requires specialized machines capable of reaching extremely high temperatures ($350^\circ\text{C}$ to $400^\circ\text{C}$) and molds that are heated to nearly $200^\circ\text{C}$ to ensure proper “crystallinity.”

The result is a part with zero “creep”—meaning it won’t deform even under constant heavy loads over many years. Because it is naturally “self-lubricating” and wear-resistant, it is frequently used for high-speed bushings, thrust washers, and aircraft engine components where weight savings are critical.

The Medical Edge:

PEEK has a “Modulus of Elasticity” very similar to human bone. This makes it the premier choice for spinal cages and orthopedic implants, as the body doesn’t treat it as a “foreign” rigid object as much as it might with metal.

Are you looking to reduce weight by replacing metal parts in a high-heat or high-pressure system? I can help you navigate the specialized tooling requirements needed to bring your PEEK design to life.