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Polyetherketones

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Polyetherketones (PEK for short) are polymers whose molecular backbone contain alternating ketone (R-CO-R) and Ether (R-O-R) functionalities. The most common are Polyaryletherketones (PAEK), in which there is an aryl group linked in the (1–4)-position between each of the functional groups. The backbone, which is thus very rigid, gives the materials very high glass transition and melting temperatures compared to other plastics.

Synthesis

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Polyetherketones can be obtained by condensation of 4,4′-difluorobenzophenone and potassium or sodium salt of hydroquinone:

Types

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The most common of these high-temperature resistant materials is polyetheretherketone (PEEK).

Other types of polyetherketone are:

  • PEKK = Polyetherketoneketone
  • PEEKK = Polyether ether ketone ketone
  • PEKEKK = Polyetherketoneetherketoneketone

Applications

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Space and aviation: aircraft parts (fins, wing flaps, nose caps, seats). Replacements for metal parts, also in the military field.

Machinery and automotive industry: high-performance molded parts such as bearing cages, gears, sealing rings, valve spring retainers, impellers. Coatings when high resistance to temperatures above 200 °C is required. Coatings made of PEEK or PEK, for example, are suitable for applications up to 230 °C (450 °F).[1]

Electronics industry: wire and cable sheathing, flexible printed circuit boards, semiconductor production, offshore connectors.

Medical technology: endoscope handles, hip joint prostheses.[2] Because polyetherketones can be sterilized without damaging them, PEK is often used for surgical applications.[3]

Properties

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PEK has a high temperature resistance. It is also characterized by high wear resistance.[4] In addition, polyetherketones are highly resistant to chemicals: They are resistant to non-oxidizing acids, grease, lubricants, water vapor, hot water, and concentrated alkalis.[5]

Literature

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  • Beland, S. (1990). High performance thermoplastic resins and their composites. William Andrew.
  • Díez-Pascual, A. M., Naffakh, M., Marco, C., Ellis, G., & Gómez-Fatou, M. A. (2012). High-performance nanocomposites based on polyetherketones. Progress in Materials Science, 57(7), 1106–1190.

References

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  1. ^ "TriboShield® Low Friction Polymer Coatings | GGB". www.ggbearings.com. Retrieved 2022-05-11.
  2. ^ Pye, Andy (2017-02-10). "Operating at PAEK performance: an overview of polyaryletherketones". Prospector Knowledge Center. Retrieved 2022-05-11.
  3. ^ Panayotov, Ivan Vladislavov; Orti, Valérie; Cuisinier, Frédéric; Yachouh, Jacques (2016-07-01). "Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) for medical applications". Journal of Materials Science. Materials in Medicine. 27 (7): 118. doi:10.1007/s10856-016-5731-4. ISSN 1573-4838. PMID 27259708. S2CID 44295083.
  4. ^ "Polyether Ether Ketone (PEEK): Properties, Production & Apps - Matmatch". matmatch.com. Retrieved 2022-05-11.
  5. ^ "Overview of materials for Polyetheretherketone, Unreinforced". www.matweb.com. Retrieved 2022-05-11.