Tag: non-conductive polymer fasteners

PEEK Screws for Non-Conductive High Impact Application

Q: Looking to change to a non-conductive material for use in a high
impact application. Would Alumina or Zirconia ceramic fasteners be a good fit?

A: We could certainly quote you some ceramic hardware, however ceramics may not be the best non-conductive choice for a high impact environment.  Ceramic fasteners are generally strong but brittle. This makes them susceptible to failure from impacts.

Depending on the temperatures in your application, you might want to consider a polymer like PEEK screws.  Glass fiber re-inforced PEEK screws offer nearly double the strength of natural PEEK.  A polymer fastener like PEEK will be much tougher than ceramics and will still offer non-conductivity. In addition, PEEK is a VERY stable polymer and is creep resistant, depending on the temperature you are operating at.

PEEK vs Ceramic Fasteners for Strength & Electrical Resistance

Q:
I am looking for some high tensile strength studs with good electricity resistance. I think zirconia of aluminia material will be suitable but I am open for suggestions. The studs would be about 5 inches long.
A:
Probably ceramics fasteners are not the best choice for this situation. It is true that ceramics have high tensile strength, but they have no yield strength and at this length, a ceramic stud will be quite fragile.
Without knowing anything about your application, I would suggest looking at a fiber reinforced polymers like glass reinforced PEEK fastener. These will be stronger, tougher and much more cost effective. PEEK fasteners also will offer excellent electrical resistance.