MSE 56700 Polymer : Colorless Organic Thermoplastic Polymer

The report can have a maximum of 2 figures (both figures, in total, should not take up more than one page). There should be a minimum of 5 references out of which only can 2 be internet resources. The report should include the following:

1. History of polymer

2. Origin, structure and synthesis

3. Importance to society

4. Advantages and disadvantages

5. Uses

6. Environmental impact

Polyether ether ketone was developed by ICI. It was in the year 1982.

Structure

The structure of a PEEK consists of phenyl repeating units of oxygen-1, 4-the phenyl, the phenyl-oxygen -1 and the carbonyl-1.These elements form a semi-crystalline polymer when the mixture is reacted (BPF, 2017).

Synthesis

In order to synthesis Polyether ether ketone, accurate reaction conditions are required due to its insolubility nature (BPF, 2017). Polyether ether ketone is synthesized using nucleophilic substitution hydroquinone and difluorobenzophenone in the presence of anhydrous potassium carbonate in a microwave to produce a great yield (BPF, 2017). During this process, a three-necked flask is used which is fitted with a condenser, nitrogen inlet, and a mechanical stirrer. Hydroquinone and difluorobenzophenone mixture has to be dissolved in a solvent called toluene. This solvent helps to remove water. The flask containing the mixture is placed in a microwave with a maximum power of 800W.This entire process should be done in a nitrogen atmosphere with constant stirring. Polymerization starts to take place at the temperature of 80-100 degrees Celsius. Azeotropic distillation is used to remove the water generated during the reaction. The temperature is maintained constant and tuluene is also removed through distillation. The reaction is cooled to a room temperature and the polymer is obtained by precipitation of water. The final product is known as polyether ether ketone (PEEK).

Importance of PEEK to the society

Polyether ether ketone like other plastics contributes a lot to today’s society. It has transformed and promoted a quality life. Polyether ether ketone plays a major role in health care, transportation, communication and also in entertainment. Polyether ether ketone has many attractive properties such as a high strength, it is easy in processing.It can be tough, rigid and colorless. Polyether ether ketone is of a great use in today growing population as it offers cost-effective alternatives to a human in the society. It helps in the conservation of natural resources (Koike, et al., 2012).

Advantages and disadvantages

Polyether ether ketone material has both advantages and disadvantages and they include (Koike, et al., 2012):

Advantages

• Polythene ether ketone is a high-performance thermoplastic and a high-temperature special engineering plastic.
• Polyether ether ketone has good mechanical properties, due to its toughness and rigidity when stricken to a balance it can be comparable with alloys.
• Polyether ether ketone has a higher melting point and a higher glass transition temperature.
• It is resistance to chemicals that are resistant to corrosion, hydrolysis and resistant to abrasion.
• Polyether ether ketone has a great peeling resistance and can be made of thin coated wires or a magnet wire which can be used in harsh conditions.
• It is flame resistance due to its stability.
• Polyether ether ketone is a radiolucent material.
• PEEK is a self-lubricating material, its products which are carbon fiber, molybdenum disulfide, and graphite when mixed they modify Polyether ether ketone to have better lubricating properties.

Disadvantages of PEEK.

• Polyether ether ketone is known to be hydrophobic in nature and it will never bond to bone.
• Polyether ether ketone is a plastic and it is non-biodegradable and therefore causes damage to the environment.

Uses of PEEK

Like other polymers, polyetheretherketone is useful in many ways. These uses include;

• PEEK is generally used in engineering.It is mostly used as an engineering material as it has properties like high strength and low ability to wear, It is a good resistance to corrosion and is able to operate effectively in an ultra-high vacuum environment.
• Polyether ether ketone is used in an ultra-high vacuum in order to absorb minute gases.
• It is also useful in sealing rings and sealing surface coatings.
• Parts of PEEK is used mostly in mechanical operations such as in bearings and pumps this is due to Polyether ether ketone's ability to have excellent thermal degradation resistance and a very high melting point.
• Polyether ether ketone is commonly used in aerospace because of its high strength and light in weight.
• Polyether ether ketone is used in a metal replacement when high temperatures are applied.
• It is also used as a cable insulation material.Polyether ether ketone is an excellent insulator and it is very resistant to absorption of water.
• Polyether ether ketone parts are used in medical implants as people believe it is an advanced biomaterial which is very durable and safe plastic in an environment which is human biochemical.
• In dentistry, Polyether ether ketone is used in absorbing shock that makes it possible for patients with dental implants.
• It is often used in the marine industries, the nuclear industry, in automobiles and in oil wells.
• Polyether ether ketone is also used in applications such as the compressor plate valves and in piston parts, this is due to its robustness.
• It is used in the reinforcement of rods and in spinal fusion devices.
• Polyether ether ketone is mostly used in spine areas to produce interbody cages and also used to outer coverings of the rod(BPF, 2017).

Environmental impact of polyether ether ketone

When Polyether ether ketone is overheated and combustion occurs, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide are produced (BPF, 2017). These gases are very harmful to the environment. In most cases, recycling is never feasible and so waste products disposal of peek should be by a landfill. Depending on the insolubility of polymer in water, toxicity of polyether ether ketone is very low.

Polyether ether ketone materials are considered as environmentally sensitive (Hiemenz & Lodge, 2007). When gases dissolve in a vacuum it leads to weakening of the polymer. This causes a high rate of wear in the vacuum condition. All processes including chemical processes occur within the materials and frequently interact with each other. Depending on the environment a formation and an adhesion of a homogenous and a thin layer are transferred. Finally, the Polyether ether ketone waste is not biodegradable (Hiemenz & Lodge, 2007).

References

BPF. (2017, October). Peek. Retrieved from BPF: https://www.bpf.co.uk/plastipedia/polymers/PEEK.aspx

Hiemenz, P. C., & Lodge, T. P. (2007). Polymer Chemistry. Taylor and Francis .

Koike, Kida, Santos, Rozwadowska, Kashima, & Kanemasu. (2012). Self-lubrication of PEEK polymer bearings in rolling contact fatigue under radial loads. Tribology International, 30-39.

Kurtz, S. (2011). PEEK biomaterials handbook. William Andrew.

Kurtz, S. M. (2010, November 2). Implantable PEEK Polymers: A Decade of Progress in Spine. Retrieved from ODT: https://www.odtmag.com/contents/view_features/2010-02-11/implantable-peek-polymers--a-decade-of-progre/48605