High-Performance Metal Replacement Materials, PEEK Polymer

VICTREX® PEEK Polymers for Reliable Replacement of Metal

VICTREX PEEK polymers may successfully replace metals such as aluminum, titanium, magnesium, brass, corrosion-resistant (CRES) or stainless steel and specialty alloys because they offer a unique combination of mechanical, thermal and tribological properties, combined with excellent chemical resistance and electrical performance.

VICTREX PEEK polymers can be used as a matrix for thermoplastic composite prepregs reinforced with carbon, glass or aramid continuous fibers. VICTREX PEEK-based composites offer a recyclable, lean manufacturing solution with higher fracture toughness versus epoxy.

Replacement material for metal poppets in hydraulic and pneumatic compressors
Corrosion resistant bearings and thrust washers for sub sea environments
Balance shaft module gears for automotive applications

Several new VICTREX PEEK polymer grades and compounds are available to maximize mechanical properties along with thermoplastic processing flexibility. Material developments at Victrex Polymer Solutions have included the addition of VICTREX PEEK 90 grades to the existing 150, 380 and 450 polymer grades. The 90 family of grades are primarily aimed at applications where high flow is required. These compounds allow for high levels of filler incorporation without any loss in processability. Structural fillers include chopped glass fiber (GL grades), chopped carbon fiber (CA grades), and special high modulus carbon fibers (HMF). The 90HMF grades offer significantly increased tensile strength and modulus compared to standard carbon fiber compounds. Higher temperature requirements have driven further innovation at the molecular level to create VICTREX HT™ polymer and VICTREX ST™ polymer. These products provide improved mechanical performance at 15°C to 25°C higher temperatures while maintaining the excellent balance of properties of VICTREX PEEK polymer. These higher temperature platforms are also available in glass and carbon reinforced compounds for structural applications.

VICTREX PEEK polymer is readily available in finished form such as stock shapes, injection and compression molded parts, films and coatings. Victrex Polymer Solutions has introduced APTIV® Films and VICOTE® Coatings, based on VICTREX PEEK polymer, to optimize consistency in a range of product forms. Extruded VICTREX PEEK pipe/tubing is also available in a range of sizes.

VICTREX® PEEK polymer replaces metal poppets for improved compressor valve performance

Manufacturers of check valves and pressure relief valves for hydraulic and pneumatic compressors are constantly looking for ways to improve the performance of their products. Valve performance, more than any other component, determines compressor efficiency.

To achieve improvements such as reduced fluid leakage, noise reduction, longer valve life, and cost reduction, a number of manufacturers are turning to Performance Plastics Ltd. (PPL), a high performance injection molding specialist, for assistance. To meet the requirements, PPL suggests replacing the metal poppets in the valves with poppets made of VICTREX PEEK polymer, a high performance thermoplastic. Substituting plastic for metal maintains strength while improving corrosion resistance, reducing weight, and allowing for greater design flexibility.

One of the major benefits using VICTREX PEEK polymer is that it allows the valves to operate in high and low pressure applications. This increases the number of applications in which their valves and compressors can be used.


Poppet valves from Performance Plastics Ltd. Made with VICTREX PEEK polymer.	VICTREX PEEK polymers offer excellent strength for demanding applications

VICTREX® PEEK polymer extends service life in offshore systems, substitutes metal solutions

To overcome corrosion problems associated with bronze components for floating production, storage and off-loading systems (FPSO's), the industry has turned to VICTREX PEEK polymer and VICTREX PEEK-based compounds. These polymer bearings and thrust washers in the mooring systems, driving chain systems and swivels provide an extended service life, significant weight reduction and excellent load bearing capabilities.

Corrosion resistance in sub sea environments is of prime importance as FPSO's are constructed in open or unprotected water to facilitate the mooring of tankers at offshore oil and gas exploration stations without jetties and breakwaters. Unlike bronze components, which can develop severe galvanic corrosion, VICTREX PEEK polymer bearings and thrust washers provide excellent chemical- and long-term corrosion resistance as well as superior wear resistance.

Switching to VICTREX PEEK polymer has provided significant weight savings compared to metal solutions and the polymer’s excellent load bearing capabilities can help to create moulded components that can carry the maximum loads for longer periods of time.

VICTREX PEEK polymer requires no external lubrication and its excellent dry running capabilities ensure long-term tribological performance and a service life.


Bearing and seal ring made from VICTREX PEEK polymer	Relative temperature index of VICTREX PEEK polymer is one of the highest of all thermoplastic materials

VICTREX® PEEK polymer replaces metal in balance shaft module gears for automotive applications

Automotive industry manufacturers are constantly looking for ways to reduce noise and vibration as well as improve efficiency. Metaldyne has achieved both in their balance shaft module product line made with VICTREX PEEK polymer.

Balance shaft modules are used to cancel the inherent shaking forces associated with in-line 4 cylinder engines. As an industry leader in balance shaft and balance shaft module design, Metaldyne co-developed gears molded from VICTREX PEEK polymer for their balance shaft modules. VICTREX PEEK polymer was chosen for its excellent fatigue strength, chemical resistance, high temperature resistance and strength at elevated temperature. The innovative design minimizes mass, rotational inertia, and NVH (noise, vibration and harshness).

Victrex Polymer Solutions offers a state-of-the-art test rig for polymer gears with the following features:

RPM up to 6,000
Torque up to 40Nm
Adjustable center distance (Max OD 150mm)
Flexible configuration (spur, helical, worm gears)
Dry and lubricated testing – oil temperatures up to 150°C (302°F)
Equipped with torque transducers and incremental encoders on both input and output shafts
Incremental encoders capable of resolving down to 0.0007 rad (0.04”) convert?
Instrumented to allow for analysis of input and output characteristics of gear pair under test


Balance shaft module gear from Metaldyne based on VICTREX PEEK polymer	VICTREX PEEK polymer offers excellent fatigue properties

VICTREX PEEK high performance polymer enables engineers to find new solutions to addresses challenges of weight reduction, higher temperatures and speeds, and reduced maintenance and production costs.

Victrex Polymer Solutions, the world’s leading manufacturer of VICTREX PEEK polymer, offers excellent, high-performance thermoplastics that allow engineers and designers to reach new levels of systems cost savings, differentiation, and quality.

Metal Replacement Benefits:

High temperature performance
Weight reduction
Fatigue performance
Longer life and more reliability
Less maintenance more up time
Wear resistance
Chemical resistance
Hydrolysis resistance
Fire, smoke and toxicity performance
Electrical properties
Noise reduction
Vibration dampening

VICTREX^® PEEK Polymer: