TECAPEEK® PVX Plate

TECAPEEK® PVX is a PEEK bearing compound carrying 10 percent each of carbon fiber, PTFE and graphite, and it delivers the lowest coefficient of friction of the modified PEEK family at 0.18 to 0.20. The limiting PV value is 500,000 and the wear rate is 10 x 10⁻¹⁰ in³·min/ft, which is why it runs unlubricated where filled PTFE or bronze would fail. Continuous service temperature is 500°F with 572°F short-term, heat deflection temperature is 530°F at 264 psi, and the melting point is 633°F. Tensile strength is 11,000 psi against an 800,000 psi tensile modulus, and moisture absorption is 0.02 percent.

Typical parts are unlubricated bearings, bushings, thrust washers, wear rings, seal faces, valve seats and compressor components for chemical processing, aerospace, automotive, textile machinery, conveyors and downhole tooling. The graphite content raises thermal conductivity roughly threefold over unfilled PEEK, so frictional heat leaves the contact face instead of building in it. The material is UL 94 V-0 rated and RoHS compliant. Machine it with carbide or polycrystalline diamond tooling because the carbon fiber is abrasive. Note that surface resistivity is 1.4 x 10⁵ ohms per square, so this is not an electrical insulator.