Taking a PEEK at Innovation

Did you know that Clifford Springs invented the PEEK seal energising spring over 20 years ago?

As usual, it all started when a customer talked to us about a problem they had.

A metal anti extrusion spring was mating with the hardware, limiting its effectiveness and lifespan, and resulting in high replacement costs.

A softer material was needed to stop the damage. Our innovation team felt that replacing the metal spring with a plastic one could massively reduce the wear, damage and costs.

An anti-extrusion spring had never been made of plastic before. There were plenty of people who doubted that it could be done. We needed to really understand the product’s constraints and capabilities before we could start making it and testing it in situ.

After 12 months of research and development, we proved all the doubters wrong, delivering a PEEK spring to our client that did exactly the job that they wanted it to do.

Their product now lasted longer, significantly reducing the overall cost. A positive result on every front.

The PEEK Spring proved to be revolutionary in the industry. At Clifford Springs we continue to refine its design to meet our clients’ individual needs.

So, what other characteristics make PEEK springs a good choice for valve sealing?

Excellent chemical resistance: Highly resistant to a wide range of chemicals, PEEK is an ideal material for use in valves that handle aggressive fluids or chemicals.
Temperature resistance: PEEK springs maintain their elasticity and resilience without losing mechanical properties in temperatures up to 170°C. They are suitable for use in high-temperature valve applications.
Low friction coefficient: PEEK can operate smoothly without generating excessive wear or heat, reducing valve maintenance and replacement costs.
Good wear resistance: PEEK is a tough and durable material that can resist wear and tear over long periods of use, even in high-stress valve applications.