Peek use in Semi-Conductor Applications – Wafer Manufacturing

February 7, 2023  |  , , ,

 

PEEK is short for polyether ether ketone. These polymers are notable for their phenylene rings and oxygen bridges, which result in resilience, durability, and strength.

Wafer manufacturing is a term used to describe the process of creating chips, otherwise known as integrated circuits, which are used in everyday devices.  You will find chips in everything from cars to military jets.  PEEK is great for semiconductor applications because of its outstanding combination of physical properties.

  • Longer Lifetime – CMP (chemical-mechanical positioning) rings made with PEEK can provide less downtime, and more throughput with up 2x wear resistance compared to other materials.
  • Potential Yield Enhancement – Low particle generation and higher purity, resulting in lower outgassing and extractives that may lead to yield improvements
  • Faster Process – PEEK endures proceseess with up to 260° and harsh chemicals, which allos for faster processing and less cooling time.

Semiconductor equipment manufacturers use PEEK screws and fasteners in wet benches. Chip manufacturers use hydrofluoric acid which is a corrosive chemical that can damage metals. Since PEEK is chemical-resistant, chip manufacturers are utilizing PEEK screws. These screws are used in the production of ICU’s since they are a high-purity material and possess low-outgas properties. PEEK is also used to manufacture manifolds for semiconductor production equipment.

Performance Plastics’ team of experienced engineers possess the expertise to design and manufacture technically challenging projects and offer complex solutions within the semiconductor industry.

For more information on how Performance Plastics can assist in your material selection challenges, please contact Rich Reed, VP Sales & Marketing at 513.321.8404 or rreed@performanceplastics.com.

 

https://youtu.be/XRmbryDk6WQ

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PEEK For Industrial Applications

October 18, 2022  |  , ,

gears made out of Ryton plastic

PEEK is a high-performance engineering plastic with outstanding resistance to harsh chemicals, excellent mechanical strength, and dimension stability. PEEK (Polyetheretherketone) is an organic thermoplastic polymer, comprised of a semi-crystalline structure which gives it a strong chemical structure.

PEEK is an excellent choice for industrial applications because of its ability to resist harsh conditions:

Resistant to a Wide Range of Chemicals: 

PEEK performs in the toughest chemical environments, capable of resisting more than 140 types of acids, bases, oils, liquids, salts, and elements.

 Immense Temperature Resistance: 

PEEK has an extremely high melting point at 662 °F. It can be used in applications with temperatures up to 482 °F. 

 Extended Resistance to Hydrolysis Process: 

Hydrolysis refers to the chemical process where water is added to a substance. PEEK has the ability to withstand exposure to steam and water for long periods of time without degrading.

 Great Durability: 

PEEK is tough, stiff, and extremely strong.  It has the capability to withstand friction and can perform for long periods of time without suffering from wear and tear.

PEEK is an optimal choice for industrial applications. Most industries see PEEK as the preferred material for parts that are used in extremely harsh application industries. These include oil and gas, mining, heavy equipment, and renewable energy.

Performance Plastics’ team of experienced engineers possesses the expertise to design and manufacture technically challenging projects and offer complex solutions within harsh application industries.

For more information on how Performance Plastics can assist in your material selection challenges, please contact Rich Reed, VP Sales & Marketing at 513.321.8404 or rreed@performanceplastics.com.

 

 

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PEEK® for Aerospace/Defense Applications

September 26, 2022  |  , ,

PEEK or polyetheretherketone belongs to a family of polymers called polyketones or iPAEKs.  This means that is it built from the following building blocks:

  • ARYL
  • ETHER
  • KETONE

PEEK is one of the highest performing thermoplastics in the world.  Compared to metals, PEEK based materials are very light weight, easily shaped, resistant to corrosion and have considerably higher specific strength (strength per unit weight).

PEEK is optimal for aerospace applications because although it is a thermoplastic, it boasts heat resistance, little to no reaction against harmful chemicals and radiation, and comparable tensile and load strength to that of titanium and steel while being many times lighter.

PEEK® does not offer merely two or three properties that mark it as the polymer of choice for aerospace/defense; it has a whole variety of them.  They include:

  • High heat resistance

Tests have shown that PEEK polymer has a continuous use temperature of 260°C (500°F). This can make it suitable for use in a wide range of thermally aggressive environments.  PEEK tolerates friction and resists wear in dynamic applications like thrust washers and seal rings.

  • Chemically unreactive

PEEK resists the damage that can be inflicted in chemically aggressive operational environments. It can resist jet fuel, hydraulic fluids, de-icers and insecticides used in the aerospace industry.  This holds true over wide ranges of pressure, temperature, and time.

  • Mechanically strong

PEEK offers excellent strength and stiffness over a wide temperature range.  PEEK-based composites have specific strength many times that of metals and alloys.  “Creep” refers to a material becoming permanently deformed over an extended period when under constant applied stress. “Fatigue” refers to the brittle failure of a material under a repeated cyclic loading.  PEEK has both high creep and fatigue resistance thanks to its semi-crystalline structure and has been shown to be more durable than many other polymers and some metals over a long and useful lifetime.

  • Difficult to ignite or burn

PEEK has excellent flammability performance.  It resists combustion up to almost 600°C.  When it can be made to burn at very high temperatures, it will not support combustion and it emits little smoke. This is one reason why PEEK is widely used in commercial aircraft.

Aerospace/defense part manufacturers now use PEEK as a way to improve the weight and durability of their parts.  PEEK is a standard high-performance plastics in the aerospace/defense industry applications.

Performance Plastics’ team of experienced engineers possess the expertise to design and manufacture technically challenging projects and offer complex solutions within the aerospace/defense industries.

For more information on how Performance Plastics can assist in your material selection challenges, please contact Rich Reed, VP Sales & Marketing at 513.321.8404 or rreed@performanceplastics.com.

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Types of Plastics used in the Semiconductor Industry

August 23, 2022  |  , , , ,

Precision and purity are key in the semiconductor industry.  Plastics help maintain high standards of precision and purity during semiconductor production, ensuring that less time and resources are wasted and that electronics function properly.

Since plastics are typically insulators, they may seem an unlikely material for use in semiconductor / electrical applications. However, in recent years, the composition of some plastic materials has been adapted to make these plastic materials behave as conductors or semi-conductors as opposed to insulators.

The semiconductor industry requires components that are manufactured from materials having a combination of heat resistance, conductivity, insulating, and shielding properties. All these properties are exhibited by high performance plastics. They are ideal materials with which to produce end products, as well as parts in the processing equipment used to manufacture semiconductors.

High performance plastics such as Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene (FEP), Polyether Ether Ketone (PEEK), and Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), are characterized by their exceptional properties in different areas. High performance plastics are largely used where highest demands are placed on thermal or chemical resistance or product mechanics.

  • FEP – Fluorinatedethylenepropylene is a copolymer of hexafluoropropylene and   tetrafluoroetheylene;   boosts chemical resistance and useful low friction properties, and is  easily formable.  FEP is soft, slightly flexible, possesses a lower melting point of 260°C and is highly transparent and resistant to sunlight.  It is vastly superior in some coating applications involving exposure to detergents.

 

  • PEEK – Poly Ether Ketone  is a semicrystalline thermoplastic with exceptional high temperature performance, mechanical strength, and chemical resistance. It is capable of maintaining its stiffness at high temperatures and is suitable for continuous use up to 260°C (480°F). In addition, PEEK does not undergo hydrolysis and can be used for significantly long periods of time in areas where steam or water is common.

 

  • PTFE – Polytetrafluoroethylene is a tough, flexible, non-resilient material of average tensile strength with great thermal properties and excellent resistance to chemicals and passage of electric current. The coefficient of friction is unusually low and believed to be lower than any other solids. PTFE is an outstanding insulator over a wide range of temperatures and frequency.

Performance Plastics are specialists in high performance plastics engineering for the semiconductor industry. We partner with our customers to offer solutions to some of the most challenging applications.  For more information, please contact Rich Reed, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at 513.321.8404 or email rreed@performanceplastics.com.

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PEEK® Use in Medical Applications

August 16, 2022  |  , , ,
Thermoplastic medical spinal implant component, precision thermoplastic medical check valve, non-contaminating Thermoplastic medical valve component, precision thermoplasticmedical spinal implant component, non-contaminating medical spinal implant component

High Precision, PEEK, Thermoplastic Medical Spinal Implant Component

PEEK® is an organic thermoplastic polymer that offers excellent mechanical and chemical resistance properties because of its chemical make-up.  PEEK® is short for polyether ether ketone, which means it’s a member of the polyaryletherketone family. These polymers are notable for their phenylene rings and oxygen bridges, which result in resilience, durability and strength.

PEEK® is great for medical applications because it is one of the few high-performance polymers that is a bio-material – it is highly resistant to radiation which allows for easy sterilization.

  • Biocompatibility – PEEK® is a proven biomaterial, which means it is considered safe for use with in vivo applications. PEEK® shows no signs of cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, or immunogenetics.  The material has been successfully in use for over 20 years.
  • A favorable flexural modulus – Compared to metals such as titanium, stainless steel and other metal biomaterials, PEEK® is much more flexible. It behaves much more like bone in how it flexes and bears weight.  It does not cause stress shielding in nearby bone.
  • Pure radiolucency – PEEK® renders transparent on X-rays, CT and MRI scans – which makes it easy for surgical teams to track the positioning of implants and detect complications.

Many medical device manufacturers now use PEEK® as a way to improve the biocompatibility of load bearing implants.  PEEK® is increasingly becoming the new standard biomaterial across a range of medical, orthopedic, and dental applications.

Performance Plastics’ team of experienced engineers possess the expertise to design and manufacture technically challenging projects and offer complex solutions within the medical industry.

For more information on how Performance Plastics can assist in your material selection challenges, please contact Rich Reed, VP Sales & Marketing at 513.321.8404 or rreed@performanceplastics.com.

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PEEK, PAEK and PEI are Great Alternatives During Material Shortages

July 19, 2022  |  , , , ,

Navigating supply chain issues in this economic environment where there are rampant material shortages is an ongoing challenge. But many commonly used engineered resins may serve well as replacements for your application. Performance Plastics are experts in material selection and can assist your organization in choosing the best material based on the functionality of your part.

PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone), PAEK (Polyaryletherketongs) and PEI (Polyetherimide) are high performing engineering thermoplastics that offer a unique combination of thermal stability, chemical resistance, and excellent mechanical properties.

PEEK is extremely tough and has very high impact strength.  Due to the crystalline nature of the material, a high degree of mechanical properties is retained close to their melting temperature.  The also have a low creep and good wear properties.  It is also known for excellent chemical resistant during hydrolysis. PEEK is actively used in metal to plastic replacement applications.

PAEK is a high thermal stability material that offers high strength and high resistance to oxidation. It offers better solvent resistance and is more amorphous based on its semi-crystalline structure.  This makes it an excellent choice for medical components, sea equipment and valve components.

PEI is a high-performance engineering plastic that offers outstanding thermal, mechanical and chemical properties.  It is often the best choice where high mechanical strength is needed in conjunction with high temperature, corrosion and wear resistance. This makes PEI an excellent alternative for applications requiring tight tolerances and low warp such as medical devices, scientific equipment parts and semiconductor equipment components.

Performance Plastics are specialists in high performance plastics engineering for many industries including medical, defense and industrial applications. We partner with our customers to offer solutions to some of the most challenging applications.  For more information, please contact Rich Reed, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at 513.321.8404 or email rreed@performanceplastics.com.

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Plastic’s Edge over Metal in Medical Device Fabrication

February 21, 2022  |  , , ,
Thermoplastic medical spinal implant component, precision thermoplastic medical check valve, non-contaminating Thermoplastic medical valve component, precision thermoplasticmedical spinal implant component, non-contaminating medical spinal implant component

High Precision, PEEK, Thermoplastic Medical Spinal Implant Component

As technology continues to advance, medical device designers are being asked to increase performance and longevity of devices while decreasing costs. One of the most effective methods of achieving both goals is through a metal-to-plastic conversion using a medically compatible resin.

Newer polymers allow for the design of multiple features into one molded component and can replace metal components or multiple smaller parts. By improving the product design and manufacturing process with the latest materials and plastic manufacturing techniques, medical device designers can improve performance of the medical device while reducing its cost.

Medical devices continue to get smaller and more complicated. The size and complexity issues present opportunities for metal-to-plastic conversion. Small tools often are used by professionals who are gloved, and resins offer the ability to apply texture and reduce weight. By using a material that provides improved wet-grip characteristics and ergonomics, designers are able to improve the overall functionality of products. The use of properly selected thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) allows for products that withstand sterilization to be made more effectively.

Instruments that must be repeatedly cleaned and sterilized, sometimes multiple times a day such as dental instruments, can now be made from high-performance materials such as polyether imide (PEI), or polyetheretherketone (PEEK) polymers. These improvements result in better medical devices often at lower manufacturing costs.

Medical resins are ideal for bone implants. Devices made from PEEK polymer are a better match to the normal flexibility of a bone for implants. When a stainless-steel implant is used, the adhesion between the implant and bone tends to loosen over time, because the bone has a small amount of flexibility. A stainless-steel implant does not flex.

By using PEEK polymer as the implant stem, rather than traditional stainless steel, the polymer has close to the same flexibility as the bone and there is a reduced tendency for the implant to loosen over time. This compatibility between bone and polymer makes a more effective medical device — one that will allow better long-term outcomes, especially as the average life span of an implant increases in tandem with the life expectancy of the general population.

 

 

https://www.plasticstoday.com/medical/plastics-edge-over-metal-medical-device-fabrication

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Metal to Plastic Conversion for Medical Applications

February 3, 2022  |  , , , , , , ,

With the population aging and improving technology, medical device designers are being asked to increase performance and longevity of devices as well as decrease costs.  One of the most effective methods of achieving both these goals is a metal-to-plastic conversion.

Plastics can be used to replace even the most sophisticated medical device by incorporating simple design modifications.  High performance polymers offer the same strength and rigidity as some metals along with some additional advantages.

Advantages of the medical resins include:

  • Reduced Device Weight
  • Increased Design Freedom – Moldability of all Features
  • Improved Functional Aesthetics
  • Reduced Sterilization Burden
  • Improved MRI Compatibility

At Performance Plastics, we are experts in injection molding, specializing in high performance plastics.  Ultem® PEI and Peek are premium medical grade resins that are ideal for the manufacturing of medical parts and components.  Medical grade resins provide excellent mechanical properties and are highly resistant to chemicals and thermal degradation, making them highly desirable materials for plastic injection molded products within the medical industry.

At Performance Plastics, we utilize a unique combination of extensive material knowledge, mold flow analysis, a design system and process expertise to eliminate or minimize the need for secondary operations. Our expertise in process control allows us to effectively injection mold medical resins into parts with extremely tight tolerances. This gives us the ability to provide an injection molded part made from the highest strength and stiffness of any medical resin.

PEI is one of the many high performance polymers Performance Plastics specializes.  For more information on Performance Plastic’s capabilities, please contact Rich Reed, our Vice President of Sales and Marketing at 513.321.8404 or email at rreed@performanceplastics.com.

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Performance Plastics – Specialists in Metal to Plastic Conversion

August 26, 2021  |  , , ,
carbon fiber filled PEEK thermoplastic gear

Proprietary impregnated PEEK distributor gear for improved performance and useful life

Metals have been the first choice of design engineers for almost three centuries. Developments in highly engineered thermoplastics materials are challenging that dominance. The aerospace and automotive industries have led the charge in this dramatic changeover, initially driven by the need to reduce weight to gain fuel efficiency. Advanced thermoplastic and thermoset systems, including fiber reinforced compositions, are now finding their way into almost every industry.
PEEK is a mainstay material for a growing variety of applications in many different industries. Its popularity is due to excellent friction and wear characteristics, extended durability under punishing environmental conditions, including high temperatures, abrasion and aggressive chemical environments.

Unfilled PEEK resins emit extremely low levels of smoke and toxic gas when exposed to a flame. Glass and carbon reinforced PEEK resins offer high thermal stability and are among the strongest thermoplastics in the market.
PEEK has a long list of outstanding characteristics making it one of the most popular alternatives to metal:

• High mechanical strength and dimensional stability
• Excellent resistance to harsh chemicals
• High wear resistance
• Low coefficient of friction; high abrasion and cut-through resistance
• Excellent performance at high temperatures

Performance Plastics uses various grades of PEEK resin as metal replacements in applications where few other fluoropolymers would be considered. PEEK is widely used in industries such as: aerospace (commercial and defense), automotive, marine, industrial and energy (fossil fuel and renewable). To discover how PEEK polymer resins can make the transition from metal to thermoplastic easier, please visit our website at https://performanceplastics.com/capabilities/polymer-seals or contact Rich Reed, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, at (513) 321-8404 or RReed@performanceplastics.com

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Injection Molded Peek Seals

July 21, 2021  |  , , , , , ,

Performance Plastics offers the expertise and technology to produce net shape seals in high-performance materials such as PEEK.  PEEK (polyetheretherketone) polymer is a high-performance thermoplastic material with outstanding mechanical, thermal and chemical resistance properties

Seals have been used since ancient times and have evolved into a wide variety of shapes and materials. Mechanical seals are used to seal the openings of and joints between mechanisms to contain pressure and form a barrier to prevent the fluid (water or oil) used by a machine from leaking to the external environment.  Commonly used in pumps, motors, and compressors, seals are one of the most essential components to ensure a machine operates reliably and effectively.

PEEK is an organic thermoplastic polymer that offers excellent mechanical and chemical resistance properties for applications that are maintained at high temperatures. PEEK seals can be heated, cooled, and heated again without degradation since they are composed of thermoplastic materials.

PEEK polymer seals are well suited for demanding applications such as aerospace, automotive, and medical because of their robustness. They offer outstanding chemical resistance over a wide range of temperatures and are an excellent option for extreme applications where failure is not an option.  Performance Plastics’ team of experienced engineers possess the expertise to design technically challenging seals and offer complex solutions across a wide range of industries.

For more information on how Performance Plastics can solve your seal selection   challenges, please contact Rich Reed, VP Sales & Marketing at 513.321.8404 or rreed@performanceplastics.com.

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