PK
Offers outstanding chemical resistance, low moisture absorption, consistent mechanical properties and excellent dimensional stability, ideal for critical industrial applications.
Abbreviation
PK
Molecular formula
(C₃H₄O)ₙ
CAS no.
88995-51-1
General description
Polyketone (PK) is highly resistant to solvents, has excellent barrier properties and outstanding mechanical behaviour with impressive tribology. The semi-crystalline material has very low creep tendency, is elastic and can be reversibly deformed.
The mechanical properties of components made from PK remain constant even at fluctuating temperatures. Compared to other engineering plastics, aliphatic polyketones are relatively easy to synthesise and can be obtained with low resource consumption.
Moisture absorption is less than 0.5%, which means that the mechanical properties are hardly affected. The chemical resistance of PK is outstanding. Polyketone can easily withstand weak acids; only very strong acids or alkalis attack the chain structure.
PK offers
High load capacity and wear resistance
PK offers excellent wear resistance and impact strength, surpassing many conventional plastics.
Excellent chemical resistance
PK is extremely resistant to weak acids and hydrolysis and is resistant to many chemicals that can damage other plastics.
Low moisture absorption
With less than 0.5% water absorption, PK remains particularly stable in humid conditions, retaining its mechanical properties and dimensional stability.
Properties of PK
Thermal properties
Polyketone retains its excellent properties over a wide temperature range. Long-term operating temperatures range from -40 °C to +120 °C, while short-term temperatures of up to +140 °C can be withstood. The processing temperature of PK ranges from +180 °C to +240 °C. It can be supplemented with halogen-free flame retardants to achieve a V-0 classification according to UL94, making it ideal for applications with increased fire safety requirements.
Mechanical properties
One of the outstanding mechanical properties of polyketone is its excellent wear and impact resistance. PK offers exceptional impact strength and abrasion resistance, combined with high tensile strength and elasticity. This mechanical stability is reflected in minimal wear when used with metals, maximising load-bearing capacity. In addition to its reversible deformability, PK's high elongation at break makes it an extremely durable material.
Chemical properties
Polyketone offers impressive media resistance and exhibits outstanding resistance to weak acids and alkalis. This chemical resistance is combined with exceptional hydrolysis resistance, making PK ideal for applications with high moisture requirements. Its low water absorption of less than 0.5% ensures stability and robustness, even in humid environments.
Specific properties
A unique feature of polyketone is its rapid crystallisation behaviour, which enables faster production cycles and increases efficiency, particularly in injection moulding. Its excellent barrier properties against gases such as oxygen and fuels significantly expand the range of applications for PK, making it ideal for use in demanding scenarios.
Processing instructions
Areas of application for PK
Automotive industry: In the automotive industry, polyketone is widely used in the manufacture of motor vehicle components. Thanks to its superior performance and high durability, PK is used to improve the efficiency and service life of modern vehicles. Its excellent mechanical properties make it the ideal material for numerous applications in the automotive sector.
Oil and gas industry: Due to its high resistance to harsh chemical environments, polyketone is particularly useful in the oil and gas industry. The material is used in various plants where it reliably withstands extreme conditions. This resistance to demanding chemical influences makes PK a preferred choice in this industry.
Chemical industry: Polyketone is valued in the chemical industry for its exceptional chemical resistance. In addition, its ease of processing enables the manufacture of high-precision profiles, making it particularly advantageous for a wide range of applications. These properties contribute to PK being integrated into many processes and products in the chemical industry.
In summary, polyketone's versatile properties make it an indispensable plastic in modern technology, contributing to the optimisation of efficiency and durability in various industries.
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