Thermosets, in contrast, turn into an infusible and insoluble material when cured by application of heat or chemical means, making for poor elasticity. – Allows for Plastic Deformation when Heated.– Swell in Presence of Certain Solvents.
– May Melt Before Turning to Gaseous State.Thermoplastics are capable of being repeatedly softened and pliable when temperature increases, meaning that when heat is applied, that results in a physical change for the polymer. It’s crucial to know which one you’re working with due to distinct differences between how those polymers react to heat and temperature. When it comes to polymers, you have two basic types: thermoplastics and thermosets. Therefore, it’s important to understand the polymer structure of PEEK if you’re machining it. The challenge of plastics is their wide range of mechanical properties and varying behavior when machined. The technique of utilizing drilling tools to carve plastics was introduced by MIT during the 1950s, and because this process is computer-controlled, products with extremely precise tolerances can be achieved.ĭue to the many different kinds of polymers and composites, it’s important to have strong technical expertise of polymer materials when machining plastic components some plastics are brittle, for example, while others cut similarly to metal. In the case of plastic machining, this involves the precise removal of layers from a plastic material. We hope this gives you some insight into our polymer machining process, and how it differs from that of metal machining or injection molding.īefore discussing the process of machining PEEK, it’s important to understand exactly what plastic machining is.ĬNC (Computer Numerical Control) machining is a process in the manufacturing sector that involves the use of computers to control machine tools.
With over 35 years of experience machining this thermoplastic material, we at AIP have written a brief introduction to machining PEEK. What is less known, however, is the process that goes into machining this plastic material. This versatility makes PEEK equally capable of being used for implants and custom medical devices or machined lightweight aircraft components. The recent popularity of PEEK (polyetheretherketone) in complex industries such as Aerospace & Defense and Medical & Life Sciences is well documented, and for good reason: this lightweight thermoplastic bears properties that make it ideal for a variety of specialized applications. An Informational Brief on Polymer Machining
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