PEEK as ideal metal replacement

Polymers are now becoming the material of choice to replace metal in products that demand improved properties. One such material is polyether ether ketone (PEEK), colourless organic polymer thermoplastic used in engineering applications.
When compared to metals and other thermoplastics typically used in energy applications, Victrex? PEEK? polymer is a distinctive material solution. In addition to its unique combination of high performance properties, this metal replacement option offers unrivaled quality, durability and lightweight characteristics for enhancing energy applications. Victrex can successfully replace metals such as stainless steel, carbon steel, premium alloys and CRAs in oil & gas applications including drill pipe, production tubulars, deepwater hose umbilicals, seals, backup rings and more.
The material has several advantages as a metal alternative. It protects from harmful gases as unlike metals and lower performing thermoplastics, Victrex PEEK polymer adds reliability to components through a high level of resistance to harmful gases. It is also lightweight as compared to metal, the polymer allows for substantial weight reduction and high strength-to-weight ratios for lighter, more durable components. It has improved mechanical strength properties, as well as chemical and temperature resistance. As an example, Victrex polymers can be used to replace Nylon11 in subsea umbilicals, successfully extending the application for use with higher working pressures and deeper water. Engineers are choosing thermoplastic umbilicals made with Victrex PEEK polymer as an alternative to steel umbilicals because they offer high performance, low weight, cost effectiveness and improved flow characteristics.
For higher performing production tubulars, Victrex PEEK-lined carbon steel can replace 13 Chrome tubing and high nickel CRAs. Metal replacement has also been achieved in traditional applications like seals, backup rings, plugs and packers.

High strength and stiffness
Victrex polymers are successfully used in a variety of forms (powder, film and filament) as a matrix material in the manufacture of advanced thermoplastic composite prepregs made of carbon, glass or aramid continuous fibres. They are recyclable and are cost-effective to process by thermoforming out-of-autoclave or more innovative techniques, such as thermoplastic film bagging.
Compared to lower performing thermoplastics (including PA46, PEI, PAI and PI), epoxies, and resins reinforced with carbon fibres, no other thermoplastic offers more weight reduction, strength and quality for composites than Victrex PEEK polymer.
Recently, Victrex PEEK polymer was chosen to provide support for cargo doors in new generation commercial aircraft. When Click Bond, Inc., a leader in adhesive-bonded fastener systems, wanted to develop a bonded nut plate stand-off for the cargo doors of a major manufacturer's new generation of commercial aircraft, it chose Victrex polymer for the composite part. The stand-offs, which consist of a nut plate attached to a stand-off bracket, are used to provide support for the cargo doors as attachment points for the cargo door liner.
The high strength and stiffness of the Victrex PEEK polymer combined with Click Bond's innovative approach to adhesive-bonded stand-offs provides the necessary structural integrity whilst reducing installation labor. The use of adhesive to bond mounting hardware to the structure eliminates the need to drill and dress holes, and install rivets. Adhesive bonding is faster and also saves significant time and money, should an attachment require relocation and rework is necessary because no holes are drilled.