Polyether ether ketone, or PEEK, is a high-performance engineered polymer with excellent heat tolerance and one of the highest strength-to-weight ratios of any thermoplastic. This material can be used as an alternative to other materials such as aluminum, steel, glass, and other polymers. PEEK’s strength is complemented by its lubricity and high purity for demanding applications.
Our research, engineering, and production teams have developed a diverse collection of PEEK products to fuel innovation for medical, oil and gas, aerospace, automotive, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) applications. This rigid plastic is considered one of the highest-performing materials of its kind. PEEK’s considerable advantages as a material science solution are generating breakthroughs in many markets.
In analytical applications, PEEK’s high burst pressure, purity, and chemical resistance assure that PEEK tubing will stand up to the pressures needed for critical laboratory work and not contaminate the results. In a biomedical setting, PEEK can be subjected to sterilization procedures such as autoclaving and gamma irradiation.
We also offer PEEK in a more lubricious version, PEEK Glide™. Our PEEK Glide™ products give engineers a new option for applications that require the performance of standard PEEK, but could benefit from enhanced lubricity.
At Zeus, we can extrude PEEK and PEEK Glide™ into many forms, such as multi-lumen tubing, monofilament, and our super-thin-walled Sub-Lite-Wall™ tubing. We can also apply post-extrusion forming for a variety of demanding applications, including heat forming, tipping, tapering, flaring, and flanging.
Learn more about our Value-Add services and our other performance options.
Note: The information in the Zeus website, catalog, and other sources presents and discusses generally accepted properties for non-pigmented virgin polymer resins from which Zeus fabricates its line of extruded products. Actual properties may change due to processing method, resin grade, extruded dimensions, and other variables. It is the end user’s responsibility to fully evaluate and test the fitness of the product for their specific application.
Braiding – Our PEEK drawn fiber monofilament boasts excellent abrasion and corrosion resistance, tensile strength, and tenacity. This monofilament is an ideal braiding material for wire and cable sheathing and performs well in extreme temperatures up to 500 °F (260 °C). PEEK drawn fiber is also an alternative for catheter braiding reinforcement where metal is not suitable.
Critical Fluid Transfer – PEEK’s chemical resistance, mechanical integrity, and high maximum service temperature make it ideal for critical fluid transfer where heat is a prime concern. PEEK can withstand exposure to a wide range of acids, bases, and solvents. PEEK’s high purity and ability to tolerate high burst pressures also make it an excellent choice for pharmaceutical, analytical, and biomedical applications to ensure analyte fluids remain contaminant-free.
Fiber Optics – Furcation tubing (also known as jacketing) is commonly used in fiber optics to protect these fragile communication devices. PEEK and PEEK Glide™ easily slide over fiber optics without damaging the delicate fibers while decreasing strain and friction. PEEK can also be formed into shapes and multi-lumens to allow multiple channels through which fibers can be inserted into a single outside diameter tubing. PEEK reinforced optical fiber is also available and provides excellent abrasion, chemical, and radiation resistance at high temperatures, making it an ideal choice for strain sensing applications.
Insulation – PEEK’s dielectric properties mean that wherever it is used, it also provides insulation in addition to physical and mechanical protection.
Mandrel Coverings – PEEK’s ability to withstand extremes of temperature, pressures, chemical exposure, and physical wear and tear makes PEEKshrink™ a great choice for mandrel coverings on which to build components.
Replacement for Metal – PEEK’s superior strength-to-weight ratio allows engineers to consider replacing heavier metal parts with PEEK. PEEK’s ability to withstand physical and mechanical stress, heat tolerance, and chemical resistance gives this material many other advantages over metal parts.
Wire Harness – PEEK is a good material for protecting and insulating wires while decreasing weight and increasing fuel efficiency.
Wire Splicing – PEEKshrink™ heat shrink provides excellent electrical insulation and chemical resistance, making it an excellent splicing aid.
Convoluted Tubing – This tubing contains multiple convolutes in series, resulting in a highly flexible and maneuverable tubing material. Commonly called flexible conduit, this tubing is used as a protective covering for wires and fiber optics in critical areas of aerospace, automotive, and general industrial applications.
Custom Profiles – We excel in the production of tight-tolerance custom profiles for our extruded products. From standard products, such as guide rail covers, to ultra-precise extruded profiles for minimally invasive surgical devices, we have developed the technology to bring unique extruded profiles from concept to reality. Our other custom PEEK profiles include engineered surface tubing and splines.
Extruded Tubing – This dynamic and high-performing thermoplastic exhibits toughness, high temperature tolerance, and exceptional chemical resistance, making it suitable for a wide range of demanding applications. PEEK tubing can be used to protect its contents from abrasion and mechanical stresses and provide insulating properties for electrical applications.
Multi-Lumen – As multi-lumen tubing, this PEEK product contains numerous lumens, or “passages,” to create multiple working channels that run the length of the tubing. Multi-lumen tubing is widely used in medical devices such as catheters, electronic devices, and fluid handling applications. Zeus manufactures multi-lumen tubing with tight tolerance capabilities and high quality standards.
PEEK Drawn Fiber – PEEK drawn fiber is an ideal material from which to form a braided sleeve that is expandable and flexible for protecting wires and hoses. This high-tensile-strength and lightweight material exhibits excellent friction and wear properties when used in abrasive environments. PEEK is also commonly utilized in medical settings for catheter braiding to provide structural reinforcement where metals are not preferred.
PEEK Reinforced Optical Fiber – Our PEEK reinforced optical fiber enables performance in harsh environments up to 260 °C (500 °F) with our 100% PEEK secondary coating, which maintains strain transfer and optical properties while being free of compression-induced attenuation in continuous lengths up to 15,000 ft (4.572 km).
PEEK Wire – Also known as magnet wire, our PEEK wire results from the extrusion of PEEK over a wide range of solid conductors and conductors in stranded forms, such as copper wire. This wire is specifically aimed for use in challenging environments such as oil and gas, automotive, aerospace, and electrical industries. Zeus PEEK magnet wire delivers superior abrasion resistance and the ability to withstand intense burdens and exposure to caustic fluids. For some applications, little or no varnish is required.
PEEK Lay-Flat™ Tubing – This product is tubing that is pressed flat and delivered spooled onto rolls or cut to length. Lay-Flat™ tubing provides a seamless flattened tubing with extremely thin walls and flexibility. PEEK Lay-Flat™ tubing provides strength, lubricity, and chemical inertness. Our PEEK Lay-Flat™ is also utilized for its insulating capabilities as slot liners and phase insulation for motors.
PEEKshrink™ – This heat shrinkable material provides all of the benefits of PEEK in a shrink-to-fit form. PEEKshrink™ encapsulation provides a layer of protection for sensitive components used in many applications, including medical devices, electronics, telecommunications hardware, and oil exploration equipment.
PEEK Sub-Lite-Wall™ – This custom-ordered tubing is typically purchased for tubing requiring wall thicknesses < 0.005″ (< 0.127 mm). Thin-walled tubing is particularly important where space considerations are key, such as within the interior of endoscopes or as heat shrink over wiring to allow greater packing.
Biocompatibility – PEEK has a proven history of use within medical devices. For more information on PEEK’s biocompatibility, contact us today.
Chemical Resistance – PEEK is highly resistant to almost all commonly encountered chemicals, including acids, bases, water, and hydrocarbons.
Excellent Purity – The highly pure nature of PEEK means that virtually no chemicals will leach out of the tubing to contaminate the exterior of the tubing or its contents.
Exceptional Torsion Stability – The characteristic rigidness of PEEK means that this tubing transmits torsional or twisting force extremely well for applications that may require distal manipulation of the material or its contents, such as wiring, fiber optics, or sensors.
Flame Resistant – PEEK tubing is safe to use at elevated temperatures, is flame resistant, and UL 94 V-0 compliant (1.45 mm thickness material).
High Burst Pressure – Tubing made with PEEK can withstand high burst pressures.
High Strength-to-Weight – The lightweight nature of PEEK plastics, combined with their extensive beneficial properties, enables PEEK tubing to be used in place of heavier components such as metal and other plastics.
High Temperature Resistance – PEEK can safely operate at temperatures up to 500 °F (260 °C).
Impact and Wear Resistance – PEEK tubing and recovered heat shrink are extremely resistant to impacts, wear, and other physical trauma.
Low Coefficient of Friction – PEEK Glide™ possesses a low coefficient of friction for applications that require reduced drag.
Sterilizable – PEEK easily tolerates several sterilization protocols, including gamma irradiation and autoclaving. .
Thermoformable – As a thermoplastic, PEEK is very amenable to post-extrusion customizations such as heat forming, flaring, tipping, tapering, and flanging.
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