Sheet in PEEK MD 3000x500 mm gray

Sheet in PEEK MD is a high performance thermoplastic made in a grade where the additive makes the material detectable in industrial metal detectors. That means any fragment that ends up in a food or pharmaceutical process by mistake is caught by the inspection equipment instead of passing on to the customer unnoticed. Operation runs at 260 degrees continuously with short peaks toward 300 degrees.

Mechanically the material delivers about 111 MPa in tension to ISO 527, a ball indentation hardness of 260 MPa and impact strength around 72 kJ per square meter. Thermal conductivity of 0.27 W/mK is close to unfilled PEEK. Water absorption of 0.03 percent keeps the dimensions constant through swings in humidity and temperature. The mechanical profile of the sheet is close to unfilled PEEK, so the detectability costs no more than marginally in strength.

Chemical resistance is PEEK standard: fuels, hydraulic fluids, process chemicals and most solvents pass without the surface or the mechanical properties degrading. The material takes sterilization with steam, autoclave and gamma radiation. Fire rating V0 to UL 94 makes the sheet approved in applications where fire requirements otherwise close the door on plastic.

The sheet is used where a metal detector sits in the process and has to catch any plastic fragments. That mainly means food production (cutting boards, scrapers, dosing components, slide plates in conveyors) and pharmaceutical manufacturing (tablet tooling, dosing parts, gaskets). It is also used in parts that meet packaged goods, where the traceability is a quality assurance. The detectability is a concrete extension of the risk analysis in HACCP or an equivalent system, and that is the real selling point.

Machining follows PEEK practice. Sharp carbide tools, conservative feed and solid chip evacuation. Cooling is recommended in series production for better tolerances and longer tool life. Drilling, milling and turning all work well. Bonding succeeds with epoxy after surface activation, but mechanical fastening is the first choice. The sheet can be welded with hot gas or ultrasound if the design calls for a joint.

The most important choice in this segment is between PEEK MD and PA MD. PA is cheaper and works in most food applications at moderate temperatures. PEEK MD is the first choice when the process calls for high temperature, autoclaving or broad chemical resistance on top of the detectability. We are happy to help with the choice if the requirements are not crystal clear.

The gray MD sheet in the 3000 x 500 mm format is metal detectable, which means it can be found in a metal detector if a piece comes loose in the production line. That makes it suitable for parts in food production, where loose fragments must not follow the product. The full format is enough for many scrapers, guides and slide blocks out of one sheet.

The sheets are cut to the format you want in our cutting department. State the thickness and the dimensional requirements and we will come back with what can be delivered and when.