Victrex® PEEK™ polymer replaces polyimide in plasma cutting torch insulation

ESAB Welding and Cutting Products, based in South Carolina, USA, has turned to Victrex® PEEK™ polymer for the electrical insulators in its plasma cutting torches. Replacing a leading brand of polyimide, the polymer offers the same insulation and high temperature performance but provides more cost-effective processing and superior heat ageing and creep resistance.

Plasma cutting torches are used to cut and fabricate metal parts. They utilize a very high voltage electrical discharge to create an arc, known as the pilot arc, between the electrode (torch body) and the work piece. The arc is forced through a small hole in the nozzle head, together with an extremely high temperature effluent of gas, such as air, onto the metal part.

A plasma cutting torch has typically two electrical potentials which must be insulated from each other. Stan Severance, Staff Engineer at ESAB explains: “The Victrex® PEEK™ polymer insulator is located in the head of the torch where it has to separate the electrode potential from the nozzle potential. The insulator must withstand very high voltages of up to 10,000 volts at high frequencies, and extremes of temperature, especially in air-cooled torches”.

ESAB tested a variety of different materials before switching to Victrex® PEEK™ polymer, which provides long-term operating reliability and consistent ease of processing.

With operations in a large number of countries, ESAB is the world’s largest producer of welding and cutting consumables and equipment. For more information, please visit their website at www.esab.com.

Reader enquiries

Helen Swarbrick
Victrex plc
Victrex Technology Centre
Hillhouse International
Thornton Cleveleys
Lancashire FY5 4QD
United Kingdom

Tel +44 1253 897700
Fax +44 1253 897701
United Kingdom
+44 1253 897700
info@​victrex.com
www.victrex.com

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Notes for editors

Victrex plc, which has its sales, technical and production headquarters at Thornton Cleveleys in Lancashire, UK, had a turnover of more than £71,5m in the last financial year. The company exports 97 percent of its Victrex® PEEK™ polymer output to OEMs in the automotive, industrial, medical, food and electronics market sectors in Europe, North America and Asia Pacific.

Information on products, technical support services and sales and distribution contacts worldwide, can be accessed through the company’s web site: www.victrex.com.

The PEEK™ Trademark

For many years Victrex plc has been using the PEEK™ trademark to refer to its brand of Polyetheretherketone. Victrex plc is the sole manufacturer and supplier of the Victrex® PEEK™ brand polymer world-wide. PEEK™ is a trademark of Victrex plc.