Precision Injection Molding PEEK Part
For a precision PEEK part like the one shown here – with a large hole, U-shaped slots, and side bosses – it's complicated for injection molding.
Specifications
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Parameter
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Specification / Description
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Material
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PEEK
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Color
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Natural / Black / Customizable
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Mold Cavity
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1 (Single cavity)
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Tolerance
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±0.02mm (for critical dimensions, e.g., threads & bore)
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Continuous Use Temp
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Up to 250°C (Short-term up to 300°C)
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Shrinkage Rate
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0.4–0.7% (Unfilled PEEK)
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Surface Finish
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SPI-A1 Mirror Finish (Internal bore) / SPI-B1 or Texture (External ribs & threads)
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MOQ
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100 – 1,000 pcs
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Lead Time
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Samples: 20–25 days
Mass Production: 30–45 days (PEEK requires high mold temps & slow cooling)
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Processing
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Injection Molding (Requires high mold temp 180–200°C)
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Application
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Chemical fluid handling / Medical device component / Aerospace connector / Analytical instrument housing
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Packing
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Anti-static bag + EPE foam + Export carton
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This part is very complex. Here's a breakdown to show us how we design the mold:
Mold Design Breakdown
1. Ejector Pin Design
Avoid weak spots: The walls around the U-shaped openings are usually thin – it's definitely that we can't place ejector pins there, or we'll face the punching through or deforming problem.
Use ribs and boss bases: It's better to put ejector pins at the bottom around the square mounting holes, or at the intersections of internal ribs. These spots exhibit the greatest structural rigidity and can withstand higher ejection forces without deforming.
Use ejector plates or blocks for extra support: Since PEEK has a high shrinkage rate (about 0.4–0.7%), we need more power to eject. For that large odd-shaped hole in the middle, use a block-type ejector instead of standard round pins – it gives us more contact area, spreads out the ejection pressure, and prevents obvious pin marks around the hole edges.
Balanced layout: A symmetrical pin arrangement can keep the part from tilting and getting stuck in the mold.
2. Draft Angle Design
Internal surfaces (core side): PEEK is hard but not super tough, so the inside walls of holes and U-shaped slots need enough draft to eject easily. We recommend at least 1°30' as a minimum – if the depth goes over 20mm, bump it up to 2° or more.
External surfaces (cavity side): Outside surfaces have less resistance, but we still need at least 1° of draft to keep a nice surface finish and avoid scratches from ejection.
Texture factor: If the part surface has a grain or texture, we recommend that for every 0.025mm of texture depth, you'll need to add an extra 1° to 1.5° of draft.
3. Polishing and Clearance
Mirror finish: PEEK melt has high viscosity and doesn't flow easily, so the core surface really needs an SPI-A1 mirror polish to reduce friction.
Clearance for venting: The gap between ejector pins and the mold plate isn't just for ejection – it's also a key venting path. For PEEK, we recommend cutting some venting slots (about 0.01–0.02mm deep) on non-mating surfaces to prevent trapped gas that causes short fills or burning. Good venting also helps to avoid the vacuum seal, making ejection smoother.
Injection Process Parameters
Melt temperature should be set between 360°C and 400°C, with mold temperature maintained at 170°C–200°C to ensure proper crystallization and dimensional stability. Injection pressure generally ranges from 100–140 MPa, while holding pressure is about 60–80% of the injection pressure to minimize shrinkage. Injection speed should be medium to high to avoid premature freezing, and back pressure is kept low at 0.3–1.0 MPa. Cooling time usually ranges from 30 seconds depending on wall thickness, and screw speed is set at 50 rpm. Due to PEEK's high processing temperature and viscosity, we use a hot runner system to control the temperature, and the mold was designed with adequate venting and heating capacity. Post-mold annealing at 200°C–250°C for 2–4 hours is typically applied to relieve internal stress and optimize mechanical properties.
Material Advantages
PEEK offers exceptional continuous service temperature resistance up to 250°C, making it suitable for the most demanding thermal environments. It provides outstanding chemical resistance against acids, bases, and organic solvents, ensuring long-term reliability in aggressive media. PEEK is inherently self-extinguishing and achieves UL94 V-0 flame retardancy without additives. Its high strength-to-weight ratio delivers excellent mechanical performance while significantly reducing component weight. As a premium engineering plastic, PEEK is an ideal metal replacement in applications requiring lightweight, corrosion-resistant, high-strength, and high-temperature performance.
Typical Application Scenarios
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Semiconductor wafer carriers / wafer box components
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Medical devices (sterilizable structural parts)
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Aerospace high-temperature insulation components
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Automotive turbocharger / sealing parts
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Petrochemical corrosion-resistant valve components, bearing cages
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Electronic connectors (metal replacement)
Our Workflow
A transparent, step-by-step process from design to delivery.
Stage 1: R&D Support
We support customer R&D. Create the files or improve the design if needed (UG, SolidWorks, ProE, AutoCAD etc.)
Stage 2: Mold Process
Mold design (DFM report) → check/approve → approved → make mold → produce sample → sample confirmed → check final mold quality ready to export.
Stage 3: Sample Modification
If the first sample does not satisfy the customer, we can modify the mold to meet customers' requirements.
Stage 4: Sample Delivery
Produce the customer's requested quantity, free shipping.
Stage 5: Final Delivery
Deliver goods by sea or by air; special requirements can be accommodated based on customer demands.
Why Choose Yixing Technology?
Partner with a trusted leader in precision injection molding.
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20+ Years Experience
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More than 1500 new injection molds and parts have been successfully produced since 2006.
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ISO9001 Certificated
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Strict quality control system, providing ROHS/CE certification for your peace of mind.
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One Stop Service
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More value-added operations provided to simplify your supply chain from design to delivery.