Polyetherketoneketones (PEKK)
Properties and Applications
Polyetherketoneketone (PEKK) is a semi-crystalline high-performance engineering thermoplastic that is relatively easy to process. It posesses high thermal stability, outstanding chemical resistance, and excellent mechanical properties over a wide temperature range. The benzene rings connected to ketone groups provide high modulus and long-term thermal oxidative stability whereas the ether linkages provide toughness, ductility and facilitate ease of processing.1
PEKK is known for its exceptionally good resistance to hydrolysis in hot water and steam and can be used continuously up to
255°F (125°C) for structural applications with little or no permanent loss of its physical properties
and up to 400°F (205°C) for certain more demanding applications. However, it exhibits only moderate resistance to weathering due to damage caused by UV radiation
but has excellent flame retardancy and low smoke generation and
toxicity.
Because of PEKK’s excellent mechanical properties, including high stiffness, high toughness and long-term creep, fatigue and wear resistance, mechanical parts made of (fiber-reinforced) PEKK can replace steel in many applications. It is widely used in the automotive, industrial and chemical industries for structural components including gears, bushes, friction bearings, shafts, ball valve seals, wear plates, yarn & thread guides, and small precission (rotational) parts. Because of its inertness and outstanding chemical resistance, PEKK is suitable for sterilisation and therefore can be used for medical and food contact applications such as dental tools, medical body implants, and cookware.