What Is PEEK? Everything You Need to Know

For components operating in contact with aggressive chemicals or abrasive materials, or in situations requiring high surface performance, the choice of coating is critical to ensure a long service life.

In these types of applications, PEEK (polyether ether ketone) is an ideal solution. Argos Surface Technologies uses this high-performance polymer to create coatings that protect metal components and industrial machinery. The combination of chemical, corrosion and abrasion resistance along with specific electrical properties makes PEEK suitable for numerous complex industrial settings.

Argos ST’s Polymers & Metals business unit includes PEEK in a broad portfolio of surface coatings, which also features fluoropolymers such as PTFE, PFA, FEP, ECTFE and ETFE, alongside Sol-Gel ceramic coatings, silicone coatings, polyamide coatings and other technologies developed according to the specific application.

Takeaways

PEEK is a high-performance polymer used to coat and protect industrial components.
It offers chemical, corrosion and abrasion resistance, along with electrical properties that can be configured to suit the application.
It can be used on ferrous alloys, copper alloys, and aluminium and its alloys.
PEEK coatings are employed when surface durability and protection are technical priorities.
Argos ST develops coating cycles based on the specific component, its operating conditions and the performance specifications required.

What is PEEK and why is it used in industrial coatings?

PEEK stands for polyether ether ketone. It is a polymer with outstanding mechanical, thermal and chemical properties, making it ideal for surface coatings.

Argos ST uses PEEK coatings for the protection of metal components and industrial machinery exposed to harsh operating conditions. The treatment provides a barrier that increases the resistance of the component to corrosion, chemicals and abrasion.

PEEK is also resistant to salts, water and steam, alkaline and acidic substances and aromatic hydrocarbons. Together, these characteristics directly enhance surface properties whilst maintaining the structural characteristics of the underlying component.

Key properties of PEEK coatings

Industrial coatings should always be selected based on the real operating conditions in which the component will be used, aligning performance and intended use:

Resistance to corrosion and chemicals

PEEK creates a protective barrier between the substrate and the external environment. This is particularly important where there is exposure to aggressive chemicals and in industries in which corrosion and deterioration of surfaces can gradually compromise the reliability of components.

Argos ST creates corrosion-resistant PEEK coatings of varying thicknesses, based on the characteristics and specifications required for the application.

Resistance to abrasion and wear

PEEK offers a high level of resistance to scratches and general wear, making it ideal for components exposed to repeated surface stress. This is critical when contact with abrasive materials could reduce the service life of a surface.

Thermal resistance

PEEK retains its properties when exposed to heat and can withstand sustained operating temperatures up to 260°C. This makes it suitable for use on components and surfaces in demanding environments where it is essential to guarantee lasting coating performance.

Electrical properties

According to the formulation and specific application requirements, PEEK coatings can be developed to provide electrical insulation or conductivity. This versatility broadens the range of possible applications to include designs that require a surface with specific electrical properties.

Non-stick surfaces and sliding

PEEK can also be used to create surfaces with non-stick or sliding properties. By managing the structure and roughness of the surface, it is possible to reduce the surface area in contact with the material being processed, altering the behaviour of the surface during production.

PEEK and fluoropolymers: the application guides the choice

Argos ST’s product range includes PEEK alongside fluoropolymers such as PTFE, PFA and FEP, with each technology meeting different surface requirements.

Fluoropolymers are particularly recommended when non-stick, low-friction, easy-cleaning or thermal-resistance properties are a priority. One of the key strengths of PEEK, on the other hand, is its ability to combine resistance to chemicals, corrosion, heat and abrasion.

Based on our technical data, in certain applications, the combination of thermal, chemical, abrasion and wear resistance offered by PEEK can extend service life by between 50% and 200% compared to the most common fluoropolymers.

The choice, therefore, must begin by considering the real operating conditions. The component material, the substances it will come into contact with, temperatures, mechanical stresses and required surface properties are all factors that will guide definition of the most appropriate cycle.

What materials can PEEK be applied to?

PEEK coatings developed by Argos ST can be applied to a range of metals, including:

ferrous alloys, such as cast iron, alloy steels and stainless steel
copper alloys, such as brass and bronze
aluminium and its alloys.

The range of substrates that can be treated broadens the field of application of PEEK and enables coating of components with distinct characteristics and functions.

The Polymers & Metals business unit has dedicated systems for polymer coatings that can handle workpieces up to 7000 mm long, 2500 mm wide and 2000 mm high, alongside inhouse departments dedicated to pre-treatment such as sandblasting and shot-blasting.

Where are PEEK coatings used?

The properties of PEEK make it ideal for applications where corrosion, chemicals and wear can impact the continuity and efficiency of a process.

Argos ST identifies the chemical & pharma, oil & gas and mechanical-engineering industries as some of the main areas of use, in addition to application on tanks and vats and in the plastics and rubber industry.

The application is always the first consideration. A component exposed to chemicals has different requirements than a surface subject to abrasion or an element that needs specific electrical properties. Coatings are therefore defined considering all aspects of the substrate, the size and shape of the component, its operating environment and its purpose.

Coating to component durability

Using PEEK on a surface can increase the capacity of a component to retain its performance qualities under the expected operating conditions.

Greater resistance to corrosion, chemicals, abrasion and wear can translate into a longer service life, less frequent replacement of components and less maintenance.

This is why Argos ST includes PEEK in its range: identifying the key requirements of the application, it can select the most appropriate treatment and surface characteristics, drawing on its extensive expertise in materials, process technology and production.