PEEK Gaskets and Seals

PEEK stands for polyetheretherketone. It is a high-performance semi-crystalline engineering thermoplastic developed for applications where conventional plastics may not provide sufficient temperature, chemical or mechanical performance.

PEEK combines exceptional thermal stability with high mechanical strength, excellent chemical resistance and good wear characteristics.

PEEK retains useful mechanical and dimensional properties under combinations of elevated temperature, mechanical load and chemical exposure that would exceed the capabilities of many conventional engineering plastics.

This makes it particularly suitable for precision gaskets, sealing rings and interface components used within demanding industrial and engineering environments.

PEEK can typically provide long-term service at temperatures of approximately 250°C to 260°C, depending upon the material grade, mechanical loading and application conditions.

Short-term exposure to higher temperatures may be possible with suitable grades, but the complete operating environment should be assessed where temperature performance is critical.

Yes. PEEK provides excellent resistance to a very wide range of chemicals, including many oils, fuels, solvents, acids and alkalis.

Chemical compatibility nevertheless depends upon the particular substance, concentration, temperature and exposure conditions, so critical applications should be assessed against the specific operating media.

Yes. PEEK provides excellent resistance to hot water and steam and retains a high level of mechanical performance under demanding hydrothermal conditions.

This makes it useful for components within high-temperature fluid systems and equipment subjected to repeated exposure to hot water or steam.

Yes. PEEK provides very good wear resistance together with excellent mechanical strength and fatigue performance.

Specialist filled PEEK grades are also available where enhanced friction, wear or load-bearing characteristics are required.

PEEK is considerably more rigid than elastomeric materials such as EPDM, nitrile or silicone rubber and is therefore not normally chosen where substantial compression is needed simply to conform to irregular mating surfaces.

It is better suited to precision gaskets, sealing rings and interface components where controlled dimensions, mechanical strength, temperature resistance and chemical compatibility are important.

PEEK provides good electrical insulating properties and can retain useful dielectric performance across demanding temperatures and environmental conditions.

It is therefore widely used for electrical and electronic components where insulation needs to be combined with mechanical strength and high-temperature resistance.

Both PEEK and PTFE offer excellent chemical resistance and can operate across demanding temperature ranges.

PEEK generally provides substantially greater mechanical strength, rigidity, wear resistance and dimensional stability, while PTFE offers an exceptionally low coefficient of friction and extremely broad chemical compatibility. The most appropriate material depends upon the mechanical, temperature, chemical and friction requirements of the application.

PEEK provides considerably greater high-temperature capability, chemical resistance and dimensional stability than standard nylon and is suited to substantially more demanding operating environments.

Nylon remains a versatile and cost-effective engineering material for less extreme applications, while PEEK is generally selected where higher temperatures, aggressive chemicals or demanding mechanical conditions justify its specialist performance.

Both PEEK and acetal provide good dimensional stability and are suitable for precision engineering components.

PEEK offers significantly higher temperature capability and greater resistance to demanding chemical and mechanical environments, while acetal provides an economical solution for many lower-temperature precision applications. Material selection should be based on the actual operating conditions and performance requirements.

Yes. Bluemay Weston manufactures bespoke PEEK gaskets and sealing components to customer drawings, dimensions, samples and specifications.

Components can be produced in simple circular and rectangular formats as well as complex profiles incorporating apertures, fixing holes, slots and other features.

Bluemay Weston manufactures PEEK gaskets and sealing components from sheet material using precision punching and water jet cutting techniques.

Punching provides an efficient manufacturing method for suitable repeat quantities, whilst water jet cutting is particularly useful for prototypes, lower-volume production, larger components and complex profiles where dedicated tooling may not be appropriate.

Bluemay Weston can manufacture PEEK gaskets and sealing components in quantities ranging from prototypes and small development batches through to high-volume production runs, depending on component size, material thickness, manufacturing method and customer requirements.