PEEK machining requires a special touch. Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) is in high demand these days as a thermoplastic material best suited for high-performance plastic parts and other uses.
Not every plastic fabricator out there is versed in PEEK machining. PEEK is a tough material to craft, and PEEK machining requires special expertise—expertise that we at Miller Plastic Products have in abundance. PEEK plastic machining is difficult because of the preparations the plastic must undergo before it can be machined. With PEEK CNC machining, the material arrives in rod form. Due to PEEK plastic’s properties, it needs to be annealed before it can be fabricated into a specific shape and size. Annealing involves heating up the plastic in order to soften and stress-relieve it. This ensures greater PEEK machinability and prevents the material from developing cracks on the surface as well as other imperfections and weak points.
The tricky part is heating it up enough to soften it without melting it (which happens when the temperature reaches 649.4° F). Annealing isn’t necessarily a one-time process in PEEK machining, either. A longer process might require several instances of annealing to ensure a lack of cracks and stress damage. However, we do the job right the first time to ensure no mistakes and to prevent any issues from arising in the future.
PEEK plastic has many uses, and a PEEK compatibility chart can reveal the large number of chemicals with which it is compatible. Whether your facility works in the aerospace, health care, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, chemical, or other industry, we can fabricate PEEK to meet your project’s requirements. Contact us today for a consultation, for a quote, or simply with any questions you may have about the process or our experience. We have over 50 years of experience, so you can trust us to handle your project with professionalism and safety at the forefront. We look forward to hearing from you!
