JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - 34

thermoplastics

PEEK thermoplastic powers state-of-the-art aerospace engineering for metal replacement
The aerospace industry is under constant pressure to improve the performance of aircraft, whether commercial or military, to make them more fuel-efficient and to lower costs. A key strategy is to replace metals, wherever possible, with materials that are lighter but still provide the necessary mechanical performance. Reducing the weight of an aircraft results in improved fuel efficiency, lower environmental impact and reduced operating costs.

Didier Padey, Key Account Manager, Aerospace Europe, & Carolin Butz Integrated Marketing Communications Europe Victrex Europa GmbH

n important aspect of this weight reduction challenge for the aerospace industry is to identify new materials that also provide the necessary levels of reliability and safety, which are absolute priorities. Increasingly, the aerospace industry is recognising and adopting VICTREX® PEEK polymer as one such material and as an ideal alternative to metal.

260°C. This polymer is also highly corrosion resistant and unaffected by many aggressive chemicals, while demonstrating excellent wear and abrasion resistance. Finally, there is the cost equation. Replacing metals with high-performance polymers can lower component manufacturing costs. These and a series of further outstanding properties make VICTREX PEEK polymer the total solution for the current and future needs of the aerospace industry.

ped carbon fibre (CA grades) and special high-modulus carbon fibres (HMF). The 90HMF grades offer significantly increased tensile strength and modulus compared to standard carbon fibre

A versatile family
Several VICTREX PEEK polymer grades and compounds are available to maximise the mechanical properties of the material as well as its processing flexibility. Material development has included the addition of VICTREX PEEK 90 and 650 grades to the existing 150, 380, and 450 grades. In all cases, these polymers possess a range of properties that are often superior to those of metals. The 90 family of grades is a case in point. Primarily aimed at applications where high flow is required, particularly for thin-walled mouldings, these compounds allow for high levels of filler incorporation, without significant differences in processability. Structural fillers include chopped glass fibre (GL grades), chop-

A polymer solution
The VICTREX PEEK polymer, offered by Victrex Polymer Solutions (VPS), is a member of the polyaryletherketone (PAEK) family. It is a linear, aromatic, semi-crystalline polymer that is widely regarded as one of the highest performing thermoplastics in the world. In addition to having a lower density than metal with a higher specific strength than many metals, VICTREX PEEK polymer compounds possess the mechanical and dimensional stability of metals. At the same time, the polymer can withstand high temperatures and hostile chemical environments. It has a melting temperature of 343°C and a relative thermal index of

Fig. 1: Shown here, VICTREX® PEEK granules and powder (Vicote), film (Aptiv) and pipes

Fig. 2: Samples of VICTREX Pipes

34 jec composites magazine / No72 April - May 2012

JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012