When a major manufacturer of camping and outdoor recreation equipment, decided to switch to thermoplastic parts it found a heat-resistant product that did the job.

When the Coleman Company, of Wichita, Kansas, USA, a major manufacturer of camping and outdoor recreation equipment, decided to switch from metal to thermoplastic parts in order to increase performance and reduce the size and weight of their products, they chose Victrex PEEK for the heat-resistant swivel ring on their F1 Power Stove. The F1 Power Stove is a butane/propane cartridge-type portable stove used in camping or mountain climbing. With a high-power burner producing 3,700kcal/h, the highest heating power of all the companys products, it is capable of boiling 1 liter of water in 2 minutes and 30 seconds.

The swivel ring is built into the fitting base of the stoves pan support and is located directly under the burner which produces a 1500 deg C (2732 deg F) to 1600 deg C (2912 deg F) flame.

The part, therefore, needs to withstand temperatures exceeding 200 deg C (392 deg F) that result through heat transfer.

'Prior to switching to Victrex PEEK, Coleman used brass or plated iron to provide the necessary strength and heat resistance,' says Andrew Ragan, Victrex Global Leader—Industrial, 'They switched to Victrex PEEK because it delivers the high-temperature resistance [320 deg C (608 deg F)] and high strength required by the swivel ring.

It also enabled them to limit the main units weight to 146g (5.1oz), achieving a 10% weight reduction over the unit with the previously used brass part.' The lubricity provided by Victrex PEEK is another important factor.

According to Ragan, 'The F1 Power Stove uses a rotating/retractable pan support, which requires that the swivel ring be able to slide, and since Victrex PEEK also exhibits excellent lubricity, it is ideal for the application.' In addition, says Ragan, 'Since the swivel ring has a complex shape, switching from the machining of a metal part to the injection molding of a thermoplastic part has also contributed to reduced manufacturing costs.' Victrex USA, a division of Victrex, is the sole manufacturer and supplier of PEEK polymer worldwide.