High Temperature Grade Parts In Aerospace - PEEK Material

High-temperature lightweight materials are key for aircraft applications. Aircraft engines can reach temperatures up to 3812 degrees Fahrenheit (2100 degrees Celsius). High-altitude vehicles experience the greatest temperature changes compared to ground operations. Aircraft components and equipment must be able to withstand these temperatures. In addition to high pressure, Vibration, shock and corrosion to maintain reliable, safe operation, among the advanced materials on the market, PEEK is the material of choice for critical aerospace and defense component applications.

Industrial-grade PEEK material is a thermoplastic known for its flame retardancy, abrasion resistance and high impact strength. It is known for retaining its mechanical properties at high temperatures, making it ideal for aircraft components, as well as its:

1. Excellent wear resistance

2. Excellent chemical resistance

3. Surprisingly high ductility

4. Extremely high elongation

5. Hydrolysis resistance

6. Low exhaust volume

7. Thermal stability

The diversity of PEEK aerospace applications includes: flight control components, fuel system components, aircraft interiors, engines and aerodynamics-related components. Benefits of PEEK's thermal properties for aerospace materials:

There are many reasons to choose PEEK for aircraft parts. Aircraft often experience extreme temperature fluctuations due to altitude changes. Therefore, it is critical that aircraft components maintain their functionality and integrity in various business environments. While metals play a key role in aerospace materials, especially structurally, they cannot compete with thermoplastics in several areas, including thermal and electrical isolation, as well as PEEK materials: In thermal applications, there are three reasons why metals are a better choice:

1. Insulation and radar absorbency: Military ships and aircraft rely on stealth to complete critical missions and projects. Thermoplastics like PEEK are natural radar absorbers and are also thermally and electrically insulating. These properties take into account flame retardancy, radar emissivity, weight reduction, and insulating properties, all rolled into one.

2. Corrosion resistance: Whether on airplanes, drones or space vehicles, exposure to harsh chemicals is inevitable. PEEK continuously handles temperatures up to 480 degrees Fahrenheit (249 degrees Celsius) and maintains functionality in hostile environments when exposed to water, chemicals, aircraft fuel and steam. This quality alone extends the service life of the aircraft, saving operators costly maintenance services and reducing MRO downtime, allowing each aircraft to be used more hours per year.

3. Flame and smoke prevention: PEEK carries a VO flammability rating, and when exposed to flames, smoke and toxic gas emissions are very low. Therefore, PEP is an ideal candidate for interior aircraft components. Today's commercial jet engines can reach temperatures as high as 3,092 degrees Fahrenheit (1,700 Celsius). At such thermal indexes, aircraft materials must remain functional, and PEP is an excellent material for many applications within PEEK's thermal performance range. PEEK is a material of choice not only because of its thermal properties, but also as a lightweight material, it cuts excess weight that would otherwise increase fuel usage in aircraft. It is estimated that operators can achieve weight savings of up to 60% by converting metal components to the high-performance polymer PEEK, which means lower annual fuel costs, reduced emissions, a reduced carbon footprint and extended flight range.

PEEK and other thermoplastics continue to gain traction as materials of choice for high-performance aircraft and aerospace manufacturing applications. It is important to focus not only on the thermal properties of the material, but also on the overall performance of the material and how it will fit into your design. When researching machine shops for your performance plastics aerospace application, look for a manufacturer that machines plastic only. Some manufacturers process metal and plastic on the same machine, which can contaminate precision polymer machined parts with trace amounts of metal debris.