The reason why PEEK is favored is inseparable from its own characteristics.
PEEK performance
1) Very good biocompatibility
Biocompatibility is the most basic requirement for a material to be suitable for human implantation. It must be non-cytotoxic, mutagenic, carcinogenic and non-allergenic. Implant-grade PEEK has high purity, meets ISO 10993-1 requirements, has excellent biocompatibility, and has no side effects.
2) Elastic modulus similar to human bones
Compared with metal, PEEK has a lower elastic modulus and is similar to bone, which effectively alleviates the stress shielding effect and maintains the strength of surrounding bones.
Comparison of elastic modulus between PEEK and bone, gold, titanium, and cobalt-chromium alloys
3) X-ray transparency
PEEK can pass through X-rays, providing good postoperative visibility and clear lesions. Implant visibility can also be achieved through resin modification.
4) Corrosion resistance
Except for concentrated sulfuric acid, PEEK is insoluble in any solvent, strong acid, and strong alkali, and has high chemical stability.
5) Excellent disinfection performance
Can be used in pressurized hot water or steam at 300°C and withstands up to 3,000 cycles of autoclaving at 134°C. Therefore, it can be used to produce surgical or dental equipment with high sterilization requirements and repeated use.
Application of PEEK in the medical field
1) Implantable
The human body has high requirements for implant materials, such as good biocompatibility and lifetime durability. Metal has always been the first implant material, and the emergence of PEEK has broken this pattern.
PEEK for implants needs to meet the requirements of ASTM F2026 and can be used for implants or various clinical applications that are in contact with blood, bone and tissue for more than 30 days, such as spinal fusion, trauma and fracture fixation, orthopedics, craniofacial surgery, Oral restoration and valve stents, gastrointestinal stents, implantable body fluid pumps, hypoglossal nerve stimulation systems, etc.
PEEK interbody fusion cage, Evonik
PEEK craniofacial repair, Evonik
PEEK skull link piece, Shanghai Jinting
Oral implant restoration, from Invibio official website
PEEK sternum strap, Kangtuo Medical official website
PEEK medical catheter, Junhua Special Plastics
2) Non-implantation
PEEK’s excellent chemical stability, strength, stiffness and toughness can be repeatedly sterilized at high temperatures, making it ideal for medical device applications such as drug delivery, dental abutments, catheters, blood management and surgical instruments.
Chainring, Junhua Special Plastic
Sight bracket, Junhua Special Plastic
PEEK knee pads, Yuanzhu Intelligent
Common molding processes for medical PEEK include 3D printing, injection molding, etc. 3D printing can produce products with more complex spatial structures. The recycling of unsintered powder can improve raw material utilization and control production costs.
Read more:
The best manufacturer of PEEK plastic