With the continuous development of modern industries and civil facilities, the performance requirements for water contact materials are becoming increasingly higher.
With the continuous development of modern industries and civil facilities, the performance requirements for water contact materials are becoming increasingly higher. The water contact industry covers multiple fields including water supply systems, drinking water treatment, wastewater treatment, seawater desalination, and other areas. These fields have strict requirements for material durability, safety, and environmental protection. PK (Polyketone) materials, with their excellent performance, are gradually becoming an ideal material choice for the water contact industry.
Recently, with the global economic recovery, copper prices have started to rise, and the number of orders in industries such as charging piles, cables, and sanitary ware has been affected. On one hand, the pace of global economic recovery and the growth of industrial demand will continue to support copper prices; on the other hand, supply issues and changes in monetary policies may also affect copper prices.
So, how can we break this situation and what solutions can maintain the activity of the water contact industry?
Timely Transformation of Material Applications — The “Plastic Replacing Copper” Solution Can Address the Issue of Rising Copper Prices
Replacing copper with plastics can avoid heavy metal precipitation and reduce product processing and post-processing procedures. Many copper pipe fittings are now almost replaced by nylon materials.
However, nylon materials also have some limitations. Compared with nylon materials, PK materials can provide more excellent performance. Ordinary nylon materials, due to their water absorption issues, cannot meet the requirements of maintaining product mechanical properties and dimensional stability in long-term water contact environments, making it difficult to ensure long-term product use.
(Compared with nylon, PK materials are less sensitive to humidity.)
To ensure the application of nylon materials in the water contact industry, glass fiber modification is used to enhance the mechanical properties of the resin and reduce water absorption. However, the addition of glass fiber will reduce the flowability of the material during processing and increase screw wear, which is unavoidable.
* Nylon Moisture Conditioning Technology Is Also a Method Used to Improve Nylon Performance in Water Contact Applications:
A commonly used method is hydrothermal treatment — water can be uniformly introduced into nylon materials in a humid heat chamber to ensure that the moisture content of the entire material is evenly distributed.
Defects:
① During moisture conditioning, nylon absorbs water and expands, causing dimensional changes. In precision manufacturing, these dimensional changes may require additional compensation measures.
② After nylon materials absorb water, moisture may be lost again under dry or high-temperature environments, resulting in performance degradation.
③ In some applications requiring a dry environment, conditioned nylon may not be suitable.
④ The toughness of nylon materials after moisture conditioning will be affected, and additional reinforcement such as toughening agents is still required for compensation.
Compared with these methods, applying PK materials is more convenient. Now, let us understand what characteristics PK materials have:
（1）Excellent Mechanical Properties
As shown in the table below, in dry or humid environments, the mechanical strength of PK materials can be maintained with little difference. It can ensure stable mechanical performance of products under both dry and wet conditions.
As shown in the figure, PK shows little dimensional performance change after moisture/water absorption.
（2）Excellent Hydrolysis Resistance
a. The table below shows the comparison of mechanical properties after 500 hours of hot water hydrolysis resistance testing at 95°C for 21 days.
b. When in contact with hot water, nylon may release odors, affecting user experience and product quality, while PK materials do not need to worry about such problems.
c. Under long-term water contact conditions, compared with nylon (PA6 and PA66) materials, PK can maintain good mechanical properties and dimensional strength in this environment.
（3）Excellent Chemical Resistance
It can withstand most solvents. Compared with PA66, PK materials have a higher performance retention rate.
（4）Excellent Wear Resistance
The wear resistance of PK is 14 times that of POM. It has long-term dimensional stability, and its strength is less affected by humidity, improving product service life and reducing noise to some extent.
（5）Excellent Barrier Properties
Comparable to EVOH, it can effectively prevent the penetration of gases and liquids.
（6）Environmental Protection and Safety
PK materials do not contain formaldehyde, have low VOCs, pass water contact certifications, have low carbon emissions during processing, meet modern sustainable development requirements, and are recyclable, reducing the burden on the environment.
Not only that, PK materials can also provide multiple color options or achieve metal-like appearances through spraying and electroplating options. They can achieve excellent visual effects while also realizing product lightweighting. Compared with copper, plastic materials used in water contact industries not only pass water contact certifications but also have excellent mechanical strength. At the same time, during application, they can withstand high temperatures, resist hydrolysis, have low VOCs, and especially do not contain harmful substances such as lead and formaldehyde. They can effectively reduce water pollution and improve personal safety protection.
Application Cases
1、Cooling Water Chamber
Heat water degradation resistance, high strength, good dimensional stability, high-gloss surface, and good flowability.
2、Quick Connector
Low permeability, insertion and removal force at high and low temperatures, high strength, and high dimensional stability.
3、Shower Heads, Faucets, Water Purifiers
Long-term hydrolysis resistance, no performance degradation, good dimensional stability, and high mechanical strength.
4、Water Meter Housing
Long-term hydrolysis resistance, no performance degradation, good dimensional stability, and high mechanical strength.
5、Impellers and Blades
Long-term hydrolysis resistance, no performance degradation, good dimensional stability, and high mechanical strength.。
6、Hot Water Pipe Fittings
Resistance to hot water hydrolysis, excellent strength, high surface gloss, and good dimensional stability.
With its excellent performance, PK materials demonstrate broad application prospects in the water contact industry. Facing the increasingly high requirements for material performance in more and more application fields, WDF will continue to deepen the exploration of modified PK materials, improve material quality and provide assurance. We are committed to providing customers with more efficient, more durable, more suitable, and greener material solutions through continuous innovation and technological breakthroughs.
While pursuing high performance, we attach great importance to low-carbon environmental protection, adhere to the concept of sustainable development, reduce carbon emissions and resource consumption, and promote green manufacturing. Looking ahead, we will promote the application of PK materials in more fields, contribute to the progress and development of industries, and jointly create a greener and better future.
