Tag: PEEK bolts for electric insulation

Non-Conductive Fasteners – Polymers or Ceramics?

Q: I need a bolt that can handle high temperatures and be an electric insulator? What can I use?

A: That depends on what you mean by high temperature and what other issues you have like the strength requirements. If you are talking about temperatures under 500F, then you may consider some engineered polymers. They are non-conductive both electrically and thermally. PEEK is the most economic choice up to about 500F. If you are talking about higher temperatures, then you would have to go with a ceramic like alumina which is an excellent insulator and resistant to heat well over 2000F

Non-Electrically Conductive Fasteners – Polymers or Ceramics?

Q: I’m looking for a socket head cap screw that is 5/8″-11 x 5.5 inches in length. Need the material to be non-conductive and was thinking Ceramic Zirconia? Would that work?
A: Ceramics like Zirconia screws are in fact an excellent insulator from electrical current. However zirconia ceramic fasteners are very limited to smaller sizes between #2 – 1/4″ (M2-M6). Beyond this size they become very difficult to manufacture and are subject cracking.  If electrical insulation is what you need, I would suggest a high performance polymer like PEEK socket head cap screws. PEEK is very economical compared to ceramics, an excellent electric insulator and can be made to just about any size. In addition, PEEK is tough, it will not be as fragile as a ceramic while offering the benefits of corrosion resistance and strength.