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Kepstan® PEKK, a new solution for extreme environments.
Kepstan® PEKK Monomers
Kepstan® PEKK (polyether-ketone-ketone) resins are made from a tailored combination of two monomers (terephthaloyl and isophthaloyl moieties on the left and right, respectively).

Extreme Performance...

Kepstan® PEKK polymers are designed for applications requiring extreme performance, usually in a combination of multiple categories.

  • Outstanding high temperature performance - continuous use temperature 250 – 260°C, short-term exposure up to 300°C
  • Very high stiffness, tensile & compressive strength, impact resistance
  • Excellent combustion resistance properties - inherently flame retardant, low level of smoke generation
  • Low smoke toxicity
  • Resistant to virtually all organic and inorganic chemicals (only sensitive to very aggressive reagents like fuming sulfuric and nitric acid, methylene chloride)
  • High dielectric strength - good insulating properties
  • High breakdown voltage
  • Tremendous barrier properties (CO2, H2S...etc.)
  • Outstanding control of wear-rate and COF (coefficient of friction)

...That Can Be Fine-Tuned / Tailored

Unlike some other members of the PAEK (polyaryl-ether-ketone) polymer family, Arkema's Kepstan® PEKK polymers are highly customizable in terms of performance. Arkema achieves this customization or fine-tuning by carefully balancing the ratio of terephthalic ("T") and isophthalic ("I") monomers. Controlling this "T/I" ratio allows Arkema to produce grades with a range of crystallization rates and melt temperatures depending on the targeted method of final part production as well as the intended final use of the part itself.

Another dimension of polymer design is Arkema's tailored molecular weight control - allowing grades with highly specific melt volume indexes (from highly fluid to highly viscous).

These grades are then optionally filled with performance enhancing additives such as glass or carbon fibers, or carbon nanotubes.

The result is a portfolio of grades that may be extruded, 3D printed (selective laser sintering and fused filament fabrication), powder coated, injection molded, rotomolded, or impregnated in unidirectional composite tape fibers. Certain grades produced by certain processes may be even further optimized by careful choice of post-treatment or annealing conditions.

PEKK vs PEEK: Compared to PEEK resins, Kepstan® PEKK resins generally offer higher temperature performance (higher Tg and sometimes, Tm), significantly higher compression strength, a broader range of tailored properties, improved barrier performance, and better coefficient of friction control.

Three Different Series of Grades

Series T/I Ratio Melt Temperature (°C) Glass Transition Temperature (°C) Crystallization Speed
8000 80/20 358 165 Fast / Semi-Crystalline
7000 70/30 332 162 Medium / Semi-Crystalline
6000 60/40 305 160 Slow/Pseudo-amorphous

Flagship Applications:

Application 6000 Series 7000 Series 8000 Series
3D Printing Yes, GF, CF Yes, CF -
Aerospace - replacement of metals Yes, GF, CF Yes, CF Yes, GF, CF
Consumer Electronics / Devices Yes, GF Yes Yes, GF
Deep Sea Oil Pipes Yes, GF, CF Yes, CF Yes, GF, CF
Flexible Circuits Yes - Yes
High Performance Friction Components  - -  Yes
Loudspeaker Components Yes Yes -
Semiconductors Yes, GF Yes, GF Yes, GF
Wire Coatings Yes Yes Yes

CF = carbon filled   GF= glass filled

Global Supply

Kepstan® PEKK resins are manufactured in the USA and France. They are manufactured, marketed, and serviced as part of Arkema's High Perfomance Polymers business unit.

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