Under the brand name VESTAKEEP® Evonik Industrie's High Performance Polymers Business Line supplies aromatic polyetheretherketone (PEEK) resins for manufacturing components for long-term use in harsh environments. These parts are found, e.g., in the semiconductor processing, oil exploration, industrial, transport, and medical markets.

VESTAKEEP® PEEK is a semi-crystalline thermoplastic that can be melt processed by all common techniques: injection molding, compression molding, extrusion, and coating and is best known for the following properties:

• Chemical and environmental inertness
• Heat resistance
• High heat deflection temperature
• Dimensional stability due to low water absorption
• High hardness and abrasion resistance
• Good strength at elevated temperatures
• Good electrical properties
• Good radiation resistance
• Inherent flame resistance

This comprehensive property profile makes VESTAKEEP® the material of choice when it is necessary to find a substitute for metals in critical components in harsh, demanding environments.

Applications
include automotive ducts and hoses, seals, and body plugs. Rubber-like flexibility and toughness is retained down to -40°C. Parts made of the new material are highly resistant to oil, grease and chemicals.