#10 – PEEK Components for UAV, Aerospace & Defence
Metal replacement where it makes sense
Every gram counts on an unmanned aerial vehicle: weight directly affects flight time, payload and agility. At the same time, components near antennas and sensors are often specified as electrically non-conductive. Machined Comco-PEEK components can replace metal parts in selected positions, combining high strength at approximately half the density of aluminium with the electrical insulation of the unfilled grades.
The challenge
Developers of unmanned systems, aerospace and defence equipment typically need brackets, sensor carriers, connector insulators, spacers and housing components. The parts have to withstand vibration and temperature cycling, resist fuels, hydraulic fluids and cleaning agents, and, depending on the programme, meet flame, smoke and toxicity requirements. Positions near antennas and sensors often additionally require electrically non-conductive materials. Quantities are small, design iterations are frequent, and every new mould slows the programme down.
The solution
Comco-PEEK is a proven candidate for metal replacement in selected positions. The semi-crystalline high-performance thermoplastic offers high mechanical strength at approximately half the density of aluminium; whether and how much weight a specific component saves is determined in the redesign, since stiffness requirements can call for larger cross-sections. The continuous operating temperature of Comco-PEEK is about
250 °C. PEEK resists fuels, hydraulic fluids and many chemicals. Depending on grade and component design, PEEK may support demanding flame, smoke and toxicity requirements; the verification against the applicable specification remains part of the component qualification.
We machine these components from Comco-PEEK sheet and rod on our own CNC centres. Design changes go straight from drawing to machine: no tooling, no minimum volumes, short lead times.
The Comco-PEEK variants are selected by function:
- Comco-PEEK unfilled (natural or black): provides electrical insulation and can be suitable for components in RF-sensitive environments, subject to evaluation of the relevant dielectric requirements
- Comco-PEEK GF30 natural: glass fibre reinforced for higher stiffness and dimensional stability
- Comco-PEEK CF30 black: carbon fibre reinforced for maximum stiffness; electrically more conductive than unfilled PEEK, therefore not intended for insulating positions
- Comco-PEEK ELS EC: deliberately electrically conductive (CNT-filled) for dissipative and conductive applications
- Comco-PEEK HPV black: tribologically optimised with carbon fibre, PTFE and graphite for wear and sliding applications
Typical machined components: sensor carriers and camera mounts, connector insulators and terminal blocks, structural brackets and spacers, bushings and guide elements, housing and cover parts for small series.
Products
- Comco-PEEK semi-finished products and finished parts
“Metal replacement is an engineering decision, not a slogan. We support it with the right PEEK grade and documented machining quality.”
Material properties at a glance
- Continuous operating temperature of about 250 °C
- High strength and stiffness at approximately half the density of aluminium
- Resistant to fuels, hydraulic fluids and many chemicals
- Unfilled grades provide electrical insulation; RF suitability subject to evaluation of the dielectric requirements
- Depending on grade and design, suitable for demanding flame, smoke and toxicity requirements
- Machined from sheet and rod, from single parts to series
Why COMCO EPP
Programmes in UAV, aerospace and defence change fast. As a manufacturer of PEEK semi-finished products with our own CNC machining, we keep pace: material from stock, parts machined to the current drawing revision, documented material identification from raw material to finished component.
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