Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-06-25 Origin: Site
PEEK GF30: High-performance glass fiber reinforced polyetheretherketone composite material
Polyetheretherketone (PEEK), as a high-performance special engineering plastic, exhibits outstanding performance in extreme environments. When it is compounded with glass fibers to form PEEK GF30, the material performance is elevated to a new height.
PEEK GF30 is a high-performance composite material composed of a polyetheretherketone matrix and a 30% Glass Fiber reinforcing phase. Here, "GF" stands for "Glass Fiber", and "30" indicates that the content of glass fiber is 30%. This material forms a composite material structure with anisotropic characteristics by uniformly dispersing chopped or continuous glass fibers in the PEEK resin matrix.
From the perspective of production technology, PEEK GF30 is mainly manufactured through high-temperature and high-pressure extrusion molding technology. After the raw material PEEK resin is mixed with the pre-treated glass fiber in a molten state, it is extruded through a specially designed mold to form different profiles such as plates and rods.
Compared with traditional pure PEEK(such as PEEK-990G), PEEK GF30 has achieved significant improvements in multiple performance indicators. The addition of glass fiber significantly improves the rigidity and creep resistance of the material, while greatly reducing the coefficient of thermal expansion and enhancing dimensional stability, making it an ideal choice for manufacturing structural parts. These performance improvements enable PEEK GF30 to withstand fixed loads for a long time at high temperatures, making it suitable for more demanding engineering environments.
The reason why PEEK GF30 can be widely applied in many high-end fields lies in its outstanding comprehensive performance, which almost covers all the key indicators required for engineering materials.
In terms of mechanical properties, PEEK GF30 demonstrates extraordinary strength. Its tensile yield strength reaches 105-170MPa, the bending strength exceeds 200MPa, and the bending modulus is as high as 6-7GPa. These data are significantly better than those of the unreinforced PEEK material. It is particularly notable that the tensile strength of PEEK GF30 can reach about 80% of that of aluminum alloy 6061 (the tensile strength of aluminum alloy 6061 is 205MPa, while PEEK GF30 is usually between 150 and 170 MPa), while its density is only 1.51-1.55g/cm³, achieving excellent specific strength. Furthermore, its notched impact strength reaches 4.0-5.0 KJ/m², maintaining good toughness, while the Rockwell hardness HRM is ≥100, demonstrating the surface scratch resistance ability.
Thermal performance is another prominent advantage of PEEK GF30. The long-term service temperature of this material can reach 260℃, and it can even withstand a high temperature of 310℃ in the short term. Its heat distortion temperature (at 1.8MPa) exceeds 250℃, and the load heat distortion temperature is as high as 332℃, far exceeding that of most engineering plastics. Similar to metal materials, PEEK GF30 has an extremely low coefficient of thermal expansion (linear coefficient of thermal expansion ≤30×10⁻⁶/K, 0-150℃), which enables it to maintain good dimensional compatibility when used in combination with metal components. The thermal conductivity is approximately 0.35 W/(m·K), which is not as good as that of metals, but it is at a relatively good level among plastics.
In terms of chemical stability, PEEK GF30 inherits the excellent properties of PEEK resin and has been enhanced. It has excellent chemical resistance and can resist the erosion of most organic solutions, oils, acids (except concentrated sulfuric acid) and alkalis. It has an extremely low water absorption rate (24-hour water absorption rate in water at 23℃ ≤0.1%), and outstanding hydrolysis resistance, making it suitable for long-term use in damp or steam environments. In addition, it also has excellent resistance to high-energy radiation and can withstand the exposure of various energy rays without significant degradation.
Other important properties include excellent dielectric and insulating properties (volume resistivity 10⊃1;⁴-10⊃1;⁶ Ω·cm), inherent low flammability (flame retardant grade UL 94 V-0), low smoke production during combustion, and outstanding tribological characteristics (low coefficient of friction and wear resistance). These characteristics together constitute the basis for the reliable operation of PEEK GF30 in an extremely multi-field coupling environment.
Although PEEK GF30 has excellent performance, the correct processing method is crucial for giving full play to its performance potential. Due to containing 30% glass fiber, this material has special requirements in processing technology, which is different from ordinary plastics and even pure PEEK materials.
In terms of mechanical processing, although PEEK GF30 has good machinability, due to the high hardness of glass fibers, it causes relatively severe tool wear. The recommended processing method is to use a lathe or milling machine to remove the surface heat treatment aging layer (generally 0.5-1mm). For milling operations, the tool material should be selected as PCD-coated tools (polycrystalline diamond). This super-hard material can effectively resist the abrasive effect of glass fibers. When performing drilling operations, it is also recommended to use PCD-coated drill bits and follow the principle of "drilling small holes first and then reaming" to reduce drilling resistance and tool wear. It is worth noting that during the processing, the cutting fluid must be kept sufficiently cooled to prevent the material from burning and sticking to the tool. It is recommended to use water-soluble cutting fluid, which is both environmentally friendly and effective.
In terms of the molding process, PEEK GF30 mainly produces profiles such as plates and rods through extrusion molding. The processing temperature range is usually between 350 and 400℃, and it needs to be precisely controlled to avoid material decomposition. Due to the high melt viscosity of PEEK resin, the addition of glass fibers further increases the melt flow resistance. Therefore, a higher injection pressure and appropriate mold design are required. After molding, the products usually need to undergo annealing treatment to eliminate internal stress, improve dimensional stability and mechanical properties.
During the secondary processing and assembly, attention should be paid to the anisotropic characteristics of PEEK GF30. Due to the orientation of glass fibers, the mechanical properties and coefficient of thermal expansion of the material may vary in different directions. When PEEK GF30 is used as the sliding part, its adaptability must be carefully examined because the exposed glass fibers may scratch the mating surface. In this case, special treatment of the friction surface can be considered or carbon fiber reinforced PEEK CA30 can be selected as an alternative.
Storage conditions also directly affect the final performance of the material. PEEK GF30 products should be stored away from light, moisture and oily substances. When not in use, it is recommended to wrap them well with film to prevent moisture absorption and surface contamination. An appropriate storage environment can maintain the stable performance of materials, extend their shelf life, and ensure the quality of processed products.
PEEK GF30, with its outstanding performance combination, has been widely applied in many high-tech fields and has become an ideal alternative to metals, ceramics and other plastics. From aerospace to daily industry, this advanced composite material is driving technological progress in various industries.
In the aerospace field, the lightweight, high strength and high-temperature resistance of PEEK GF30 make it an ideal material for aircraft structural components and aerospace devices. It can be used to manufacture key components such as structural parts of gas analyzers and heat exchanger scrapers on satellites, ensuring reliability while reducing weight. Its excellent radiation resistance also makes it suitable for various components in the space environment, capable of resisting long-term exposure to cosmic rays without significant degradation.
The semiconductor and electronics industry is another important application field of PEEK GF30. As the size of wafers increases and the density of integrated circuits rises, the requirements for the cleanliness and dimensional stability of materials in semiconductor manufacturing are becoming increasingly strict. PEEK GF30 can be used to manufacture various valve bodies, fixtures, nozzles, and etched and CVD parts, ensuring that the wafer manufacturing process is not contaminated. Specific applications include precision components such as BGA/CSP manufacturing fixtures, inspection fixtures, IC inspection connectors, LCD detector fixtures, and IC/ wafer process fixtures. Its excellent dielectric properties also make it an ideal material for electronic components such as PCB test stands and insulating sliders.
In the field of automotive manufacturing, PEEK GF30 is mainly used in high-performance engine components, transmission system assemblies and braking system parts. Its high-temperature resistance, wear resistance and self-lubricating properties can significantly enhance the service life and reliability of these key components, while also contributing to the lightweighting of vehicles and improving fuel efficiency. Typical applications include piston sealing gaskets, bearing sleeves, embedded gears, sealing rings, etc.
In the field of industrial equipment, PEEK GF30 is widely used in various high-temperature resistant mechanical structural components and fasteners, chemical machine parts, high-pressure valve gaskets, filter cages and bases, flange parts, etc. In pumps, compressors and fluid handling systems, components such as wear-resistant rings, bushings and valve seats made of PEEK GF30 can withstand harsh chemical environments and mechanical stresses. Its fatigue resistance is particularly outstanding, and its resistance to alternating stress can be comparable to that of alloy materials, making it suitable for reciprocating mechanical components.
In the energy field, especially in the oil and gas industry, components such as pipes, valves and pumps manufactured by PEEK GF30 can withstand extreme environments underground, underwater and underground, and meet the transportation requirements of high pressure and high flow rate. Its corrosion resistance and creep resistance make it an effective alternative to traditional metal materials, which can significantly reduce maintenance costs and failure rates.
Although the medical device field is not the main application direction of PEEK GF30 (as glass fibers may not be suitable for long-term implantation), it can still be used in some external medical devices, such as dental instrument components, mold sleeves and other medical components for short-term or external use. For implantable medical devices, carbon fiber reinforced or pure PEEK is usually more suitable.
When choosing and using PEEK GF30, engineers need to comprehensively consider multiple factors to ensure a perfect match between the material properties and the application requirements. Meanwhile, this high-performance composite material is also confronted with new development opportunities and technical challenges.
When selecting materials, it is essential to first clarify the main stress types and performance requirements of the application environment. PEEK GF30 is particularly suitable for structural applications that require the simultaneous satisfaction of high strength, high rigidity and high heat resistance. If the application scenario has particularly high requirements for wear resistance, carbon fiber reinforced PEEK CA30 may need to be considered, which has higher rigidity and wear resistance than GF30. For applications with requirements for conductivity or anti-static properties, it is necessary to select PEEK of a specific anti-static grade. Color usually does not affect mechanical properties, but it may vary due to different manufacturers or raw material sources. Common ones include yellowish gray, black, brownish gray, etc.
PEEK GF30 has obvious advantages compared with competing materials. Compared with other high-performance plastics such as PI, PPS, PTFE and PAI, the upper limit of the operating temperature of PEEK GF30 is nearly 60℃ higher. Compared with metallic materials, its density is only about 1/5 of that of steel and 1/2 of that of aluminium alloy, significantly reducing weight while achieving comparable mechanical properties. However, cost remains the main factor restricting the wider application of PEEK GF30. Its price is much higher than that of ordinary engineering plastics. Therefore, performance requirements and budget constraints need to be weighed when selecting the model.
In terms of future development trends, PEEK GF30 is expected to be more widely applied in fields such as new energy and high-end equipment manufacturing. With the advancement of manufacturing processes, new fiber orientation control and interface optimization technologies are expected to further enhance the performance of PEEK GF30. The introduction of nanotechnology may lead to the next generation of enhanced PEEK composites, achieving breakthroughs in mechanical properties while maintaining the original processing performance. Furthermore, the requirements of sustainable development and circular economy have also driven the research and development of PEEK GF30 recycling and reuse technologies to reduce the environmental burden and resource waste.
Innovative application scenarios are constantly expanding. The application research of PEEK GF30 in the field of 3D printing is underway. Although it is currently facing challenges in printing processes and performance control, once breakthroughs are made, it will greatly expand its design freedom and the ability to form complex structures. In emerging fields such as robots and unmanned aerial vehicles, the high strength, lightweight and fatigue resistance characteristics of PEEK GF30 also demonstrate unique advantages.
To sum up, as a high-performance composite material, PEEK GF30 has effectively improved the mechanical properties and thermal stability of PEEK resin through glass fiber reinforcement, and plays an irreplaceable role in many high-tech fields. With the advancement of materials technology and the growth of application demands, PEEK GF30 and its derivative materials are expected to demonstrate their unique value on a broader stage and provide a more reliable material basis for modern engineering technology. A correct understanding of its performance characteristics and the rational selection and application of this material will help engineers develop more innovative and competitive products and solutions.