Victrex Pic

Corrosion resistance in subsea environments is of prime importance, as FPSO s are constructed in open water to facilitate mooring tankers at offshore oil and gas exploration stations without jetties and breakwaters. Unlike bronze components, which can develop severe galvanic corrosion, PEEK bearings and thrust washers provide longterm corrosion resistance and superior wear resistance. PEEK compoimd requires no external lubrication, another key advantage in this application. Bronze bearings and thrust washers are subject to premature wear and reduced service life should they run dry. (Victrex pic, Victrex Tech. Ctr., Hillhouse Int L, Thornton Cleveleys, Lancashire FY5 4QD, UK Phone +44—1253-897700 URL www. victrex.com). 

Victrex pic, Bearings made of Carbon Fibre Reinforced VICTREX PEEK Polymer Improve Wear and Friction Performance , Press release, 29 March 2011. Available at http //www.victrex.com/en/victrex-hbrary/press-releases/detail/detail. php id=663. Accessed 29 July 2011. 

Victrex pic. Victrex Corporate Brochure. 2010. http //www.victrex.com/en/ victrex-library/brochures-literature/brochures-literature.php. 

In 1993 the ICI Victrex PEEK business was sold to a management buyout and subsequently Victrex pic was floated on the London Stock Exchange as an independent company. Victrex currently has 4250 tonnes capacity and is the leading supplier of PAEK. It produces nucleophilic PEEK, PEK ( PEEK HT ) and, since May 2009, PEKEKK ( Victrex ST ). Sales in 2008 were 2625 tonnes of resin having grown by around 40% in the previous four years. In value terms sales were 141 million with a profit before tax of 55 million. 

Recently Victrex pic has split into two divisions Invibio and Victrex Polymer Solutions. In the first half of 2008/2009 Invibio sales were 17.6 million with a profit of 10.2 million. According to the 2009 interim results from Victrex pic, over two million devices containing Invibio s PEEK Optima have been implanted since its launch in 1999. 

Padier in Proceedings of the Polymers in Defence and Aerospace Conference, 2007, Toulouse, France, by permission of Victrex, pic and Smithers Rapra. 

Manufacturers and trade names include the following polyetheretherketone (PEEK)—Victrex pic Victrex and APTIV , Greene, Tweed Co. Arlon , and Solvay Advanced Polymers G ATONE and Ket-aSpire modified PEEK—Solvay Advanced Polymers AvaSpire PEKK— Polymics Ltd. Arylmax K and ArkemaKepstan —Victrex pic Victrex ... 

Figure 12.9 Dynamic coefficient of friction versus temperature of Victrex pic Victrex 450FC30—lubricated, 30% carbon fiber/PTFE PEEK [5].

Table 12.2 Comparative Tribological Data of Victrex pic Victrex PEEK plastics (With v = 183 nVmin)... 

Table 12.4 Tribological Properties of Victrex pic Victrex TL-60 (30% Carbon Fiber Reinforcement, Unspecified Lubricant Filled) PEEK/PBI Blend...

PEEK, produced by Victrex pic, is the market leading polyketone. PEEK can be used in very demanding applications as a replacement for metal. Key markets are aerospace, transportation, industrial, electronics, medical and the food processing industry. 

Victrex pic, a management buyout from ICI in 1993, is the main world supplier of PEEK. The company headquarters, R D and manufacturing facilities are located at Thornton, Cleaveleys in the UK. The company also has sales and distribution centres serving customers in over thirty coimtries worldwide. 

Victrex USA serves markets in North America while Victrex Europa GmbH in Germany serves customers in Central Europe. The joint venture named Victrex-MC established between Mitsui Chemicals Inc and Victrex pic is responsible for Japan and the Asia Pacific customers. 

This material is available from Victrex Pic. PEEK is an aromatic polyether, high-performance thermoplastic used in coating, insulation of high-performance wire and cable, and molded parts. Acetone has a slight crazing effect on PEEK, but isopropyl alcohol, toluene and TCE have no effect, and thus may be used in cleaning. 

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