Difference Between PEEK and PEEK GF30
If you have done plastic or metal machining, then you have probably heard of PEEK. It’s an engineering thermoplastic polymer used for a number of applications from plumbing pipes to medical devices. But is it PEEK or PEEK GF30? This article will tell you what the differences are and how to determine which one your customer needs.
So what is PEEK? PEEK is short for polyetheretherketone. It’s a type of plastic with extremely high strength, stiffness, and high-temperature capabilities. In this article, I will cover the difference between PEEK and PEEK GF30. In addition, I will share what machining methods are available for both.
Before we go into the difference between PEEK and PEEK GF30, let’s discuss exactly what they are. And I mean exactly. Here, at NOVON Plastics, we often assume (and correctly so) that our clients already know exactly what PEEK and PEEK GF30 are. However, there may be new clients who stumble upon our website and wonder what these terms mean. We also have clients that come to us because they’re trying to figure out whether to machine their parts in PEEK or PEEK GF30. For this reason, we want to take a little bit of time to discuss the similarities and differences between PEEK and PEEK GF30.
What is the difference between PEEK plastic and PEEK GF30?
PEEK is a registered trademark of Victrex Plc, and PEEK GF30 is a generic equivalent. The generic equivalent offers the same high-performance properties as PEEK but at a fraction of the price.
PEEK (PolyEther Ether Ketone) is a family of materials that have properties similar to polycarbonate. It is generally considered to be a high-performance engineering plastic. The PEEK family has a wide range of applications and uses including medical-grade products, automotive parts like brake components, food packaging, and aerospace applications.
PEEK Plastic round bar can be cut to a wide variety of sizes and finishes, as well as being machined to meet specific manufacturing requirements. The plastic material is ideal for a range of applications including consumer goods, electrical parts, and medical equipment.
The moisture absorption properties of PEEK are better than those of PEEK GF30. This property can be particularly important in medical applications where implants will come into contact with bodily fluids. Both materials resist moisture absorption well, but PEEK will maintain its properties longer than GF30 when exposed to moisture.
PEEK GF30 plastic rod is a highly sophisticated product that has been designed for maximum performance and strength. It has been modified with the addition of an amorphous phase that makes it even more durable than standard PEEK. This gives it greater resistance to cracking under heavy loads, making it perfect for high-stress applications such as aerospace engineering, automotive manufacturing, and military applications.
PEEK GF30 is also used in applications where parts need to be both strong and lightweight, like car engine components, as it weighs 30% less than steel yet can withstand temperatures of up to 500°C.
How is PEEK GF30 machining done?
PEEK GF30 is a proprietary grade of PEEK. It is produced by kEWARD Plastics Performance Polymers, having a density of 1.20 g/cm3 and melting point at 546 °C. This grade of PEEK was developed to be used in machining high-temperature applications by using a proprietary molding process called MeltBlowing Technology (MBT). With MBT, the resin is melted and then forced into a fine fiber for forming.
PEEK GF30 machining has been used for decades to make parts with complex shapes or tight tolerances on small production runs. Even though it is considered an older technology in some senses, it has proven itself to be one of the best ways to achieve high accuracy and repeatability from most materials and processes within machine tool industries.
So, whether you are cutting PEEK GF30 machining or PEEK, be sure to use the right PEEK drill bits and use the procedures that are recommended by the manufacturers. If you don’t follow these guidelines, you could end up damaging the bit, your PEEK material, or your machine.
