Introduction
PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone) is used in industries like aerospace, medical, and automotive. These fields demand high precision and reliability.
To meet these standards, you need two things:
- The right type of PEEK material
- A strong quality control process from start to finish
This guide breaks down what that looks like.
Picking the Right Type of PEEK
PEEK isn’t one-size-fits-all. It comes in different grades. Each has its own strengths depending on how the part will be used.
Here are some common types:
- Virgin PEEK: Strong and tough; used when purity is critical
- Glass-Fiber Reinforced PEEK: More rigid; resists long-term pressure and heat
- Wear-Resistant PEEK: Mixed with PTFE (a slippery material), graphite, or carbon fiber; helps reduce friction
- Carbon-Fiber Reinforced PEEK: Very strong, stiff, and wear-resistant; good for tough mechanical parts
- ESD PEEK: Helps prevent static buildup
- Mineral-Filled PEEK: Offers better shape stability
Choosing the right one depends on your needs—whether it’s strength, wear resistance, or heat control.
Quality Starts with the Raw Material
PEEK needs to come from trusted sources. Always check that your supplier is certified.
Every batch of PEEK should go through tests like:
- FTIR analysis: Confirms the chemical structure
- Moisture checks: PEEK absorbs moisture, which can ruin parts during molding
Before molding, the pellets should be pre-dried at about 150°C for several hours. This step keeps out bubbles, warping, and weak spots.
Monitoring the Molding Process in Real Time
Once molding starts, quality control doesn’t stop.
Modern machines track key data like:
- Melt temperature
- Injection pressure
- Cycle time
This data is collected using sensors. When something goes off-target, the system flags it right away. That way, you can fix problems before parts are made incorrectly.
PEEK needs high heat—around 370–400°C. Tight temperature control helps avoid problems like uneven flow or incomplete parts.
Inspecting Every Part After Molding
After molding, each part needs a close look.
The inspection process often includes:
- First-article inspection: Checks the first part off the line
- CMM measurements: These machines check the exact size of each part
- Visual inspection: Looks for surface flaws using magnification
If you’re making medical parts, you may also need to test biocompatibility. This checks whether the material is safe to use inside the body. Tests follow ISO standards.
In critical applications, inspecting every part helps ensure full reliability.
Summary: What Quality Looks Like
To get high-quality PEEK parts, you need the right material and a plan to control quality at every step.
That means:
- Choosing the correct PEEK grade
- Verifying material with tests like FTIR
- Pre-drying pellets to prevent moisture problems
- Using real-time monitoring during molding
- Performing detailed inspection after molding
Conclusion
Making strong and reliable PEEK parts takes more than good machines. It starts with careful material selection and continues through every step of production.
With the right process in place, you can meet the strict needs of aerospace, medical, and other high-demand fields.
