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TECAPEEK polymer compounds can be machined with conventional metal working tools. A high degree of precision can be obtained by using moderate cutting speeds and fast feed rates with carbide-tipped machine tools.

During the machining of TECAPEEK polymer materials, stresses may build up within the material by localized heating at the cutting point. Therfore, if a large amount of machining is to be done, a second annealing procedure may be required.

The thermal conductivity of polymers is lower than steel, so heat build-up during machining is rapid. A cooling fluid should be used to remove some of the heat generated by machining. Water is generally reccommended for use with all TECAPEEK compounds.

Machining

		Units	Unfilled	Reinforced
Turning	Cutting Speed	ft./min.	984	394-590
	Feed	in./rev.	0.016	0.008
	Relief Angle	degrees	5	5
	Top Rate Angle	degrees	6-12	6-12
	Cutting Depth	in.	0.25	0.29
	Coolant		none	none
Milling	Cutters		carbide	carbide or diamond tip
	Cutter Speed	ft./min.	590-754	256-361
	Coolant		water/oil	water/oil
Drilling	Cutting Speed	ft./min.	394	246-394
	Feed	in./rev.	.002-.008	.002-.008
	Lip Angle	degrees	118	118
	Clearance Angle	degrees	12	12
	Coolant		water/oil	water/oil
Reaming	Runners		Spiral Fluted	Spiral Fluted
	Speed	rev./min.	100-200	100-200
	Coolant		water/oil	water/oil

Annealing

Annealing should be done in a forced air oven capable of reaching temperatures of 450 degress Fahrenheit. Before annealing, parts must be dried 3 hours at 300°F. Allow parts to heat up at a rate of 20°F per hour to 450°F. Allow to soak at this temperature for a minimum of 4 hours or 6 hours per 1" cross section. Allow parts to cool at 20°F per hour to ambient temperature. Let parts stabilize in temperature 24 hours before finishing machining.