Independent Testing Finds Zeus PEEK Engineered Surface Tubing 14 Percent More Lubricious Compared To Standard PEEK Tubing

A recent independent study confirmed a 14 percent decrease in the coefficient of friction for the Zeus PEEK Engineered Surface sample versus the PEEK control sample.^[1] Doctors, hospitals and testing labs welcome the combination of strength plus lubricity for advanced medical applications.

“PEEK is the strongest material we currently extrude and it has some natural lubricity, but not as much as fluoropolymers,” states Zeus staff material scientist Irina Roof, Ph.D. “Zeus set out to alter the surface of a PEEK tube to make PEEK surface lubricity closer to that of fluoropolymers.”

Taking a cue from mother nature, Zeus looked to something as simple as the lotus leaf when contemplating how to improve the lubricity of their high-performance PEEK (polyetheretherketone) polymer. Roof notes that natural protrusions on lotus and water lilies allow water to bead on them instead of wetting the leaves. PEEK Surface Engineered Tubing works much the same way.;

Roof elaborates that Zeus customers have reported a tremendous decrease in drag force with the PEEK Engineered Surface Tubing.“Imagine the pushability of PEEK with the lubricity of a fluoropolymer,” explains Roof. “In addition, what we’re offering is 100 percent PEEK with no fillers. Zeus’ new Engineered Surface PEEK tubing simply uses enhanced PEEK properties and is therefore ideal for use as introducers and minimally invasive delivery therapy aids.”

Stronger, more lubricious material such as PEEK Engineered Surface Tubing translates to a more easily maneuverable device. Roof notes that Zeus surface engineering methodology can also be applied to fluoropolymers, decreasing the coefficient of friction on what is already one of the most lubricious known substances to man.

“PEEK Engineered Surface Tubing is the perfect example of what makes Zeus a leading partner in medical innovations,” notes Roof. “The next step is for our customers to take these surface engineered tubes into their environments for testing. After that, the possibilities are endless.”