Evonik Industries (Essen / Germany; www.evonik.com) has launched a PEEK polymer which it claims has a 25% higher impact strength than other state-of-the-art PEEK polymers. The improved impact strength of “Vestakeep” Ultimate can double the lifespan of dynamically stressed moulding components, the company says.

The material is suitable for use in high stress exposed automotive and aircraft components, such as sensors or ball bearings, and as a sealant in the oil and gas sector, where it offers the benefit of withstanding high temperatures at depths of several hundred metres, Evonik says. The material’s high temperature resistance also makes it suitable for semiconductor applications such as the production of silicon wafers. Vestakeep Ultimate has a high melt elasticity, allowing the manufacture of pipes with large diameters, the company adds.