Materials
Machining Guidelines - Compression Molded TECAPEEK
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.