Compared to standard PEEK rods: Added ESD protection prevents static electricity from damaging electronic components and precision instruments.
Compared to metal rods: Lower density, greater corrosion resistance, no metal ion precipitation, and easy processing.
Compared to conductive plastic rods: Significantly superior temperature resistance (>250°C), aging resistance (UV resistance), and long-term mechanical strength, making it suitable for high-temperature, high-corrosion environments (such as semiconductor equipment).
Considerations for Specific Applications
1. Processing and Molding
Filler Dispersion Control: Filled ESD PEEK rods require uniform dispersion of the conductive filler (otherwise, localized resistance will be excessively high, leading to static electricity accumulation). It is recommended to use a twin-screw extruder and optimize the screw configuration (such as adding shear elements), or adopt a "masterbatch method" (premixing the filler with PEEK into a masterbatch before extrusion).
Extrusion Process Stability: Extrusion temperature and pulling speed must be strictly controlled to avoid uneven internal stress in the rod (manifested as surface ripples or internal cracks) caused by temperature or speed fluctuations.
Post-Processing: Extruded rods require annealing (150-200°C for 2-4 hours) to eliminate internal stress and improve dimensional stability.
2. Storage and Environment
Moisture and Dust Control: Although PEEK has low hygroscopicity, the rod has a large surface area. Prolonged exposure to high humidity or dusty environments may cause surface condensation or adsorption of impurities, which may affect ESD performance or subsequent processing. It is recommended to store in a dry, clean warehouse, sealed with moisture-proof bags and dust-proof film.
Avoid mechanical damage: The rods are highly rigid, but sharp impacts may cause surface scratches (damaging the conductive network). Use a soft protective sheath during transportation and store upright to avoid bending and deformation.
3. Usage and Maintenance
Load Limits: When used as structural components, the load should be calculated based on the rod's mechanical properties (such as tensile strength and flexural modulus) (a safety factor of ≥ 2 is recommended).
Temperature and Chemical Compatibility: Long-term operating temperatures should not exceed 250°C, and short-term peak temperatures should not exceed 300°C (exceeding this temperature may cause failure of the filler-matrix interface). Avoid contact with strong oxidizers or highly polar solvents to prevent swelling or degradation.
Surface Maintenance: If the surface is scratched, promptly polish and repair it to prevent scratch extension. However, retest the surface resistivity after polishing to ensure it still meets ESD standards.
4. Design and Compliance
ESD Standard Compatibility: Select the appropriate resistivity based on the application scenario.
Welding and Bonding: If bonding to other materials (such as metals) is required, it is recommended to use a specialized adhesive (such as epoxy adhesive compatible with PEEK) or induction welding to avoid fillers that may affect weld strength.
ESD PEEK ROD is a typical material that combines high-performance engineering plastics with ESD protection. Its high-temperature and chemical resistance, high mechanical strength, and controllable conductivity make it an irreplaceable structural or functional component in high-end manufacturing fields such as semiconductor equipment, medical devices, and aerospace. During use, it is important to control the processing technology (such as extrusion parameters and annealing treatment), environmental storage conditions (moisture and dust protection), and load limits to ensure its ESD protection performance and long-term reliability.
