Press release submitted on behalf of Globeius.
PEEK, or polyether ether ketone, is a staple high-performance polymer prized for its ability to replace critical metal in parts like gears.
Because it is a costly material – about $50 a pound – maintaining optimal processing temperatures is crucial to avoid wasting material on bad parts.
The melt temperature of PEEK must be frequently measured during the molding process to ensure it matches the barrel temperature. However, testing the melt temperature of PEEK can be an inexact – and often painful – process.
While many polyolefins process at around 400 degrees F, PEEK must be processed at 750 degrees F. Purging samples and probing them by hand to gauge melt temperature is clearly risky, not to mention costly.
That’s where the Melt Temperature Measurement System (MTMS) kit is making a big difference. For example, trials conducted by MTMS and Victrex, a leading supplier of PEEK, have demonstrated that the MTMS kit keeps PEEK material running at peak temperature, achieving accurate results without endangering operators.
Safe hands-free alternative
The MTMS system, distributed throughout North America exclusively by Miami-based Globeius, is designed to optimize the injection molding process with hands-free material testing.
“The alternative to measuring melt temperature is basically purging a hot melted plastic gob, throwing it on a table and sticking a probe in it,” said Nick LaBansky, owner of MTMS. That time-consuming method, which has been commonly used for years, is neither safe nor accurate.
The MTMS kit includes a purge puck with two magnets, a ring, a fast-reading pyrometer and 50 insulator cups. The kit produces repeatable, accurate results — within plus or minus 1% of melt temperature. The puck is positioned at the end of the barrel; a minimum of 1 ounce of material must be purged for accurate measurement.
The easy-to-assemble, highly insulated purge puck positions a heavy-duty thermocouple at the optimal spot in the material or purge flow path. The patented insulator cup maintains melt temperature in the cup and prevents skinning.
Reliable, repeatable, economical
Trials conducted this year by Victrex and MTMS demonstrated that the MTMS kit produced consistent, accurate results.
“Our goal was measuring the temperature of PEEK in an accurate and safe manner, as we’ve had companies contact us asking if the MTMS Kit will do this,” LaBansky said. “MTMS founder Rich Bleck and I did testing with the MTMS Kit and PEEK 450G. PEEK melts at over 700 degrees F, so historically it has been extremely difficult to measure the temperature accurately and safely. The MTMS Kit testing was successful and repeatable.”
Repeated testing of the melt temperature of PEEK 450G during trials showed variations in measured temperatures of less than 1%.
Victrex employees noted that the PEEK melt temperatures can be measured with the MTMS kit. The MTMS system has been engineered to measure melt temperature while reducing the risk to employees and minimizing the cost of purge.
At $50 per pound, PEEK is not a material molders want to waste. But each purge test performed with a probe inserted by hand into hot plastic costs about $10, LaBansky said. The cost per purge with the MTMS kit is $1.75.
The first-of-its-kind testing system offers numerous additional advantages, including:
• Repeatability from operator to operator and press to press.
- Results in as little as 35 seconds.
- A heavy duty, long-lasting thermocouple probe.
“We are proud to offer essential equipment like the innovative MTMS kit,” said Graeme Sands, general manager of Globeius. “It is one of the most unique offerings in our world of diverse plastics manufacturing solutions.”
Melt temperature vs. barrel temperature
Because melt temperature is dependent on several variables, knowing barrel temperature alone doesn’t ensure PEEK or other materials are being processed at the right temperature, LaBansky explained.
‘Melt temperature is one of the four major variables required to make high-quality parts,” he said. “However, many molders do not realize the barrel temperature is not the melt or process temperature.”
Melt or process temperature, as recommended by the material supplier, is the purge or output temperature from the injection molding press. Five variables affect melt temperature: barrel temperature; screw RPM; backpressure; screw design; and residence time.
“Barrel heater bands account for only 25% to 30% of the heat in the melt,” LaBansky continued. “The majority of the heat comes from the screw RPM and backpressure through shear. Screw design and type also induces shear into the melt. Residence time also affects the melt temperature, as the faster the cycle the more heat required to keep up with the melt.
“The interactions among these variables and the ability for a specific resin to respond to shear will affect the melt temperature. If you want continuous improvement in your injection molding process, it is mandatory to know your melt temperature.”
For more information about how to precisely measure melt temperature, visit www.plasticmelttemp.com.
About Globeius Inc.
Globeius Inc. is a third-generation family business based in Miami, Florida. Founded by Hector Sosa, the company began as a small manufacturers’ rep group targeting Latin America almost 40 years ago. The organization has developed a strong reputation for integrity and technical support and built a team with tremendous experience in importation and distribution. The company’s focus is to bring quality and innovative solutions from Europe and the USA to processors in the plastics industry throughout North and South America. Globeius offers a broad range of products that help processors improve their productivity and increase profitability including water hoses and manifolds, EOAT and maintenance supplies, conveyors, granulators, heavy duty mold racks and much more. Globeius is also the exclusive distributor for Plastiblow all-electric extrusion blow molding machines in the US, Canada, and Mexico.
