Kepstan® PEKK Resins
for Extremely
Demanding Applications
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
Learn More About Flagship Applications
Kepstan® PEKK 6000 Laser Sintered Parts
Kepstan® PEKK 7000 Composite Tapes
Kepstan® PEKK 8000 Solid Rods
Kepstan® PEKK 8001 Machined Rod
Kepstan® PEKK Compounds, Stacked Blocks
Kepstan® PEKK Ultra Annealing
Kepstan® PEKK Fused Filament Fabricated Part, Unannealed
Kepstan® PEKK Fused Filament Fabricated Part, Annealed
Kepstan® PEKK Pellets
Kepstan® PEKK Sheets
Kepstan® PEKK Tensile bars
Kepstan® PEKK Tubes
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.