LNG & Hydrogen

VICTREX CT™ Polymers are specifically engineered PEEK grades designed to maintain exceptional ductility and sealing performance at cryogenic temperatures down to -269°C. Unlike standard PEEK, our CT grades offer superior elongation at break and optimised mechanical properties that prevent brittle failure in extreme cold, whilst maintaining performance up to +260°C.

VICTREX CT™ Polymers offer several advantages over PCTFE: higher elongation at break with lower modulus for improved ductility, lower and more constant coefficient of thermal expansion for better dimensional stability, higher thermal conductivity for faster temperature response, and a significantly wider operating temperature range (-269°C to +260°C vs PCTFE's limitations). Additionally, CT™ 200 provides lower friction coefficients, enabling smaller actuators and space savings.

Shell has specified CRYO PEEK in their MESC SPE 77/302 and 77/200 specifications, making VICTREX CT™ Polymers approved for use in all Shell cryogenic ball valves (-196°C to -101°C, max 150°C) without limitations on size or pressure class. This makes us the first and only PEEK material to achieve this specification from a major oil company, establishing a new industry reference standard.

The validation process typically involves material property verification, prototype seat insert manufacturing, and performance testing to your specific standards (API 6D, ISO 28921, or company specifications). With Shell MESC approval already achieved, the pathway is established. We provide full technical support, processing guidelines, and can facilitate connections with qualified component manufacturers.

Yes, VICTREX CT™ Polymers are fully industrialised and available through our established global supply chain (contact our team for local support). As the inventors of PEEK with over 40 years of manufacturing excellence, Victrex has the capacity and infrastructure to support projects from prototype to full-scale production.