KetaSpire® PEEK

One of the Most Chemically Resistant Plastics that Outperforms the Competition

What is KetaSpire® PEEK

PEEK is the acronym for polyetheretherketone, and it is considered one of the highest performing semi-crystalline thermoplastics commercially available. PEEK can operate at continuous-use temperatures up to 240°C (464°F), allowing it to replace metal even in the most severe end-use environments.

KetaSpire® PEEK is available in powders that can be applied as protective coatings onto metal substrates of various shapes and geometries. Powder grades with different particle sizes are available to enable electrostatic powder coating application and for the formulation of dispersion or slurry coatings.

KetaSpire® resins can be readily processed using conventional injection molding equipment. The equipment should be capable of achieving and maintaining the required processing temperatures of up to 385 °C (725 °F) on the injection unit and up to 205 °C (400 °F) on the mold. The molding machine should be equipped with a linear transducer to monitor screw position and should be capable of controlling the polymer injection through a velocity/position profile. The molding machine should have the capability to generate injection pressures of up to 240 bar (35 kpsi) to allow for fast injection.

KetaSpire® PEEK can be readily fabricated using injection molding or extrusion processes. These processes require capital expenditures for molds and/or dies, but are quite economical for large numbers of molded articles or high volumes of extruded profile. Compression molding provides a useful, cost-effective alternative for producing only a small number of parts or for making shapes larger than those that are practical with these processes.

Why KetaSpire® PEEK?

KetaSpire® PEEK (polyetheretherketone) offers the best combination of fatigue resistance and chemical resistance. PEEK chemical resistance is similar to that of PPS (polyphenylene sulfide). However, PEEK can operate at higher temperatures and retains its excellent mechanical properties at continuous-use temperatures up to 240 °C (464 °F), allowing it to replace metal in severe end-use environments. Glass fiber-reinforced and carbon-fiber-reinforced grades, as well as specialty grades, provide a wide range of performance options.

Exceptional chemical resistance to organics, acids and bases
Very good wear and abrasion resistance
Best-in class fatigue resistance
Excellent dimensional stability
Excellent resistance to hydrolysis in boiling water and superheated steam
Superior dielectric with low loss at high temperatures and frequencies
Ease of processing
High purity

Notes

Currently available for sale only in North America.

KetaSpire® is not approved for use in any healthcare application unless it has been specifically and previously verified by Syensqo Specialty Polymers. Please contact us by clicking here if you have questions about a specific application. Please contact us by clicking here if you have questions about a specific application.

Shelf Life: Ketaspire has an indefinite shelf life if stored under dry, ambient conditions in its original undamaged packaging.

See below for a list of downloadable brochures and more.

KetaSpire® KT 810FP

KetaSpire® KT 810FP is a fine powder form of KT-810 resin. It is an ultra-high molecular weight natural PEEK resin having a melt viscosity ranging from 0.51-0.65 kPa-s. KT-810FP is processable by extrusion, injection molding, and compression molding and comes with a median particle size that is typically in the 35-50 micrometer range.

KetaSpire® KT 820FP

KetaSpire® KT 820FP is a low flow grade of unreinforced PEEK, supplied in a natural-colored, fine powder form. KT-820FP is processable by compression molding and is suitable for applications in transportation, electronics, chemical processing, and other industrial uses.

KetaSpire® KT 820SFP

KetaSpire® KT 820SFP is the low flow grade of unreinforced PEEK, supplied in a natural-colored, super-fine powder form. This super-fine PEEK powder is suitable for water-borne coatings, electrostatically driven powder coatings, and resin pre-impregnation of continuous fiber composites. This super-fine powder is produced to a median particle size D50 of about 30 micrometers.

KetaSpire® KT 820UFP

KetaSpire® KT 820UFP is the low flow grade of unreinforced PEEK, supplied in a natural-colored, ultra-fine powder form. This ultra-fine PEEK powder is suitable for water-borne coatings, electrostatically driven powder coatings, and resin pre-impregnation of continuous fiber composites. This ultra-fine powder is produced to a median particle size D50 of about 10 micrometers.

KetaSpire® KT 880FP

KetaSpire® KT 880FP is a high flow grade of unreinforced PEEK, supplied in a natural-colored, fine powder form. KT-880FP is processable by compression molding and is suitable for applications in transportation, electronics, chemical processing, and other industrial uses.

KetaSpire® KT 880SFP

KetaSpire® KT 880SFP is the high flow grade of unreinforced PEEK, supplied in a natural-colored, super-fine powder form. This super-fine PEEK powder is suitable for water-borne coatings, electrostatically driven powder coatings, and resin pre-impregnation of continuous fiber composites. This super-fine powder is produced to a median particle size D50 of about 30 micrometers.

KetaSpire® KT 880UFP

KetaSpire® KT 880UFP is the high flow grade of unreinforced PEEK, supplied in a natural-colored, ultra-fine powder form. This ultra-fine PEEK powder is suitable for water-borne coatings, electrostatically driven powder coatings, and resin pre-impregnation of continuous fiber composites. This ultra-fine powder is produced to a median particle size D50 of about 10 micrometers.

Semiconductor

Thanks to its properties, KetaSpire® PEEK is used extensively throughout the semiconductor industry, especially where high-temperature processing is required. It is dimensionally stable at high and low temperatures, and is not affected by harsh chemicals, strong acids, or solvents. KetaSpire® PEEK is also renowned for its exceptional purity from the standpoints of residual ion contamination and outgas resistance, two key enablers for the successful use of plastics in semicon applications.

KetaSpire® PEEK is particularly suited to replace metal parts for wafer handling, bearing surfaces, processing vessels, parts carriers, and IC test equipment sockets & handlers.

Typical applications: semiconductor fabrication and testing; CMP rings; wafer carriers; etch rings; pins and fasteners; in-process trays and transport media.

Oil & Gas

Global energy demands continue to increase, prompting oil companies to move toward deeper drilling and deepwater offshore reserves. These areas involve high pressures (50 kpsi), high temperatures (300°C/572°F), abrasive fluids, saltwater and other conditions that destroy most metals and challenge many plastics. When cost, down-time, and rig personnel safety are at stake, choosing the right material for the job is critical. KetaSpire® PEEK is designed to thrive in these extreme environments. Along with KetaSpire® PEEK, Syensqo offers ultra and high-performance polymers that contribute to arriving at optimal designs for long lasting components. Typical applications: compressor rings, plates, pipes and tubing; seals and back-up seal rings; electrical connectors and components; pipes and tubing for risers and umbilicals; labyrinth seals; bearings; bushings; wear tapes; wire & cable.

Is KetaSpire® PEEK different from other commercial PEEK?

Not all commercial PEEK products deliver the same level of performance. KetaSpire® PEEK offers distinct performance advantages due to Syensqo’s newer polymer production technology. Depending on the grade, KetaSpire® PEEK offers up to 20% higher impact strength, up to 60% higher ductility and better fatigue resistance. KetaSpire® PEEK also offers higher purity and brighter natural-colored compounds.

What is the natural color of KetaSpire® PEEK material?

The natural color of KetaSpire® PEEK is light beige.

It is possible to pigment KetaSpire® PEEK to make it a different color?

Most KetaSpire® PEEK products are available either in a light beige (natural) or black color. However, KetaSpire® PEEK can be easily pigmented to match a variety of colors using commercially available color concentrates/masterbatches. Syensqo generally recommends using masterbatches based on KetaSpire® PEEK.

Does KetaSpire® PEEK contain a halogenated flame retardant?

Since PEEK is inherently flame retardant, KetaSpire® PEEK compounds can achieve a UL-94 V0 rating down to a 0.8-mm thickness without the use of flame retardant additives.

What about the KetaSpire® PEEK’s resistance to chemicals?

KetaSpire® PEEK is compatible with a wide variety of chemicals found in severe end-use environments, and it is considered one of the most chemically-resistant polymers commercially available. This feature, along with its exceptional heat stability, makes KetaSpire® PEEK particularly suited for critical applications in aerospace, automotive, chemical processing, healthcare, oil and gas, electrical, electronic, energy, and more. Results of several testing programs confirm the material’s excellent resistance to organic solvents, acids and bases, industrial fluids, aircraft fluids, automotive fluids, various sterilization methods and outdoor weathering. Samples of pellets and molded shapes are available for customers to use for specific testing relating to their application and end-use environment.