Technical Sharing | Brief Introduction to Conventional Processing Technologies of PEEK

In the field of special engineering plastics, the processing technology of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) materials exerts a decisive influence on the performance of final products.

Based on years of technical accumulation in the PEEK material sector, JOINATURE summarizes the main processing technologies and relevant technical key points of PEEK materials as follows.

• Material Selection

PEEK injection molding imposes strict requirements on the fluidity, thermal stability, crystallinity and purity of raw materials, so as to ensure sufficient mold filling, stable performance maintenance, shrinkage rate control and degradation avoidance during high-temperature processing.

Joinature's PEEK series products can well meet the requirements of injection molding. To date, Joinature has provided full-process technical services for hundreds of downstream processors, including mold design support, process parameter optimization (e.g., temperature/pressure setting), defect analysis and rapid formula iteration, significantly reducing customers’ trial-and-error costs and accelerating product mass production.

• Key Control for Precision Injection Molding

Dimensional Accuracy Control: For specific applications (e.g., e-cigarette components, worm gears and other precision small parts), by combining optimized process parameters (temperature, pressure, mold temperature, etc.), Joinature's PEEK materials can achieve an ultra-high precision of **0.01 mm (1 micron)** and enable stable long-term production at a precision of 0.02 mm.

*The listed PEEK applications represent common use cases. Actual applications of ZYPEEK are subject to official disclosures.

Defect Prevention: Selecting PEEK materials with appropriate fluidity based on product structure helps reduce molding defects such as air entrapment and sink marks.

Crystallinity and Shrinkage Rate Regulation: Precise mold temperature control is critical for regulating the crystallinity (higher crystallinity generally optimizes specific properties) and shrinkage rate of PEEK.

• Post-Processing Solutions

Most injection-molded products made with Joinature's PEEK materials can be formed in one step without post-processing.

Custom Part Dedicated Solution: Tooling fixture shaping → tempering and shaping graded treatment to ensure dimensional stability.

• Material Selection

PEEK extrusion imposes strict requirements on the melt uniformity, thermal stability, crystallization state and purity of raw materials.

With customized molecular weight design, high resistance to thermal degradation and low moisture absorption, Joinature's PEEK materials are processed into products including profiles, monofilaments, films, thin plates, wire coatings and fiber-reinforced pellets via extrusion.

*The listed PEEK applications represent common use cases. Actual applications of ZYPEEK are subject to official disclosures.

• Advantages of Joinature's PEEK Products in Extrusion Molding

Comprehensive Product Portfolio Covering All Scenarios: Products with varying fluidity are fully available, including modified grades such as glass fiber reinforced (GL series), carbon fiber reinforced (CA series) and wear-resistant (FC series) grades, which enhance the mechanical strength and functionality of extruded products. Customized special materials can also be developed as required.

Strong Process Adaptability Ensuring Molding Stability: In terms of batch stability, the company adopts industrial production with 5,000-liter large reactors, achieving international-level thermal stability and color consistency, avoiding material breakage or defects caused by raw material fluctuations during extrusion. 

Parameter Optimization Support: It enables relatively high precision, adapting to continuous extrusion of pipes, rods and films, ensuring long-term processing stability.           

PEEK compression molding imposes extremely high requirements on the thermal stability and fluidity of materials.

Although its production efficiency is lower than that of injection molding (a single part cycle is about 4 hours, while injection molding only takes 3–5 minutes), compression molding still has unique advantages in large-size seals and ultra-high-purity products (e.g., semiconductors, medical implants), meeting stringent requirements for high density and low internal stress.

*The listed PEEK applications represent common use cases. Actual applications of ZYPEEK are subject to official disclosures.

With 20 years of in-depth research on PEEK materials, Joinature can meet customers’ diverse requirements for PEEK compression molding. Below is a summary of Joinature's compression molding experience.

• Process Selection

Scenarios Prioritizing Compression Molding: Large sealing rings with a diameter > 300 mm are more suitable for compression molding (injection molding is prone to porosity and poor venting); fields requiring stringent purity such as medical and semiconductor industries (to avoid black spot contamination).

Scenarios Where Injection Molding Is More Advantageous: Small and medium-sized parts (e.g., a circular plate of 100 mm in diameter × 10 mm in thickness, with an 80-fold efficiency improvement).

• Process Control

Cleanliness Assurance: Operation in a clean environment throughout the process.

Mandatory Specifications: Anti-static gloves + dust-free workwear to eliminate contamination during loading.

Precise Parameter Control: A four-stage temperature control curve of cold pressing → heating → hot pressing → cooling (error: ±1℃); optimize compression molding process for large-size parts to reduce internal stress.

• Product Recommendations

Joinature's PEEK products feature excellent thermal stability, consistent batches, uniform color and high purity, with stable and reliable processes (targeted solutions provided).

Common Product Recommendations: 770P/550P (pure resin), GL-PF/CA-PF/FC-PF series (modified materials).

Coating imposes strict requirements on the temperature resistance, adhesion and particle size distribution of materials. With excellent high-temperature resistance and surface compatibility, Joinature's PEEK materials can well meet coating requirements. To date, we have provided professional coating technical support services for many downstream processors. Below is a summary of Joinature's coating experience.

*The listed PEEK applications represent common use cases. Actual applications of ZYPEEK are subject to official disclosures.

• Material and Process Compatibility

Precise Control: Thickness tolerance ±20 μm; resolve industry pain points such as edge accumulation and porosity via parameter optimization.

Enhanced Bonding Strength: Substrate pretreatment + staged coating process.

• Customized Services

Demand-Oriented Material Selection: Recommend modified powders for special requirements such as dielectric and thermal conductivity properties.

Process Verification Support: Provide coated samples + performance test reports (wear resistance/chemical resistance data).

Recommended Grades: 330PF 300 mesh–330PF 650 mesh.

With characteristics such as high temperature resistance, high strength and chemical corrosion resistance, polyetheretherketone (PEEK) has become an ideal material for high-end 3D printing applications. Joinature provides dedicated PEEK materials for SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) and FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling), facilitating rapid manufacturing of complex structural parts.

• Dedicated PEEK Powder for SLS Process

No Support Required: Print complex cavity structures, reducing post-processing.

High Precision: Layer thickness of 0.1–0.2 mm, with surface finish close to injection-molded parts.

Recommended Grade: 300-mesh fine powder (high sphericity, good fluidity).

Applications: Aerospace lightweight components, automotive heat-resistant parts, industrial molds.

• Dedicated PEEK Filament for FDM Process

Cost-Effective: High material utilization rate, compatible with both desktop and large industrial equipment, suitable for rapid prototype development.

Stable Performance: Strength up to 80% of injection-molded parts, supporting carbon fiber reinforcement.

Recommended Grades: 550G/770G/551G (industrial-grade filaments).

Applications: Functional part verification, heat-resistant fixtures.

• Advantages of Joinature's PEEK for 3D Printing

Independently developed materials ensure batch stability, with customized modification (e.g., reinforcement, wear resistance) available.