Aliphatic polyketone (PK/POK) is a high-performance, semi-crystalline engineering thermoplastic combining excellent toughness, wear resistance, chemical resistance and dimensional stability. Its low moisture absorption and strong mechanical properties make polyketone particularly well suited to components used in food processing equipment, water systems, fluid handling and other hygiene-sensitive applications.

Radical Materials has developed a specialist antimicrobial polyketone masterbatch specifically for incorporation into polyketone. The technology provides long-lasting antimicrobial protection while retaining the performance advantages that make polyketone an increasingly attractive alternative to conventional engineering polymers such as nylon (PA).

Why use polyketone instead of nylon in food processing & water fittings?

Polyamides such as PA6 and PA66 are widely used for engineering components, but their absorption of moisture can significantly affect dimensional stability and mechanical properties. For applications involving regular or continuous exposure to water, cleaning fluids or liquid food products, polyketone can offer several important advantages.

Low moisture absorption & dimensional stability

Polyketone absorbs substantially less moisture than conventional polyamides, helping components retain their dimensions and mechanical properties when exposed to water or humid environments.

This combination of low moisture uptake and good dimensional stability makes PK particularly attractive for valves, fittings, connectors, gears, conveyor components and other precision-moulded parts where dimensional changes could affect performance, tolerances or sealing.

Chemical & cleaning resistance

Polyketone offers excellent resistance to a broad range of chemicals and is well suited to applications involving detergents, cleaning agents, weak acids and alkalis.

This can be particularly valuable in food-processing and fluid-handling environments, where components may be subjected to frequent cleaning and sanitation cycles.

Wear, friction & mechanical performance

PK combines high toughness with excellent wear and friction characteristics. This makes it suitable for moving components such as gears, guides, rollers and conveyor parts, as well as highly loaded structural components.

Creep resistance

Good resistance to creep under sustained loading makes polyketone an attractive material for valve bodies, pipe fittings, connectors and fluid-management components, where long-term dimensional stability is important.

Antimicrobial polyketone masterbatch from Radical Materials

Drawing on more than two decades of experience in antimicrobial polymer technology, Radical Materials has developed an antimicrobial masterbatch using a polyketone carrier.

Using PK as the carrier facilitates compatibility and dispersion when the masterbatch is incorporated into polyketone components, without unnecessarily introducing a dissimilar carrier polymer.

The masterbatch is suitable for conventional polyketone processing methods, including injection moulding and extrusion, and can be tailored to the requirements of the polymer grade, processing conditions and finished component.

Antimicrobial performance tested at 5°C

Antimicrobial efficacy is influenced by environmental conditions, including temperature and humidity. This is particularly important in food-processing applications, where equipment and components may operate at refrigeration temperatures substantially below those typically used for standard laboratory antimicrobial testing.

Our antimicrobial polyketone technology has therefore been tested at 5°C, providing efficacy data under conditions more representative of refrigerated and chilled food-processing environments.

At typical addition rates of 2–3%, the technology has demonstrated greater than 99.99% antibacterial efficacy over a 24-hour evaluation period using an ISO 22196-based test method at 5°C.

Testing antimicrobial polymers at 5°C provides a more meaningful indication of performance for refrigerated food-processing applications than relying solely on antimicrobial results generated under standard laboratory conditions.

Silver-ion antimicrobial technology

The antimicrobial polyketone masterbatch uses an inorganic silver-ion antimicrobial technology selected for compatibility with the polymer and intended application.

Silver ions released at the material surface interfere with multiple processes essential to bacterial survival and reproduction, helping to inhibit bacterial growth and surface colonisation.

Because the antimicrobial technology is incorporated throughout the polymer matrix rather than applied as a temporary surface coating, antimicrobial functionality can be maintained throughout the useful life of the component, including following routine cleaning and surface wear.

Antimicrobial materials should be regarded as an additional hygiene measure rather than a replacement for appropriate cleaning and sanitation procedures.

Food-contact & regulatory options

For applications involving food or drinking-water contact, the complete material formulation must be assessed against the regulatory requirements applicable to the finished component, intended use and target market.

Our antimicrobial polyketone formulations can utilise antimicrobial active substances with appropriate regulatory support, including technologies with relevant FDA, EPA and European Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR) status.

Radical Materials can work with customers to select an appropriate antimicrobial technology and formulation according to the application, processing conditions, target microorganisms and applicable regulatory requirements.

Maintaining the performance of polyketone

Introducing functional additives into engineering polymers requires careful formulation. Excessive additive loading, incompatible carrier materials or inappropriate processing conditions can adversely affect mechanical properties, processability and appearance.

Our antimicrobial masterbatch has been developed specifically for polyketone, allowing the antimicrobial system, carrier polymer and addition rate to be optimised together.

Development can consider:

• antimicrobial efficacy;
• additive dispersion;
• impact and mechanical properties;
• processing stability;
• colour;
• UV stability; and
• regulatory requirements.

This approach allows antimicrobial functionality to be introduced while minimising unwanted changes to the underlying performance characteristics of the polyketone.

Custom colours & multifunctional polyketone compounds

Antimicrobial polyketone can be produced in a wide range of colours for hygiene colour-coding, component identification and corporate branding.

Radical Materials can also combine antimicrobial functionality with other functional technologies. Depending on the application, polyketone compounds can incorporate additional properties including metal and X-ray detectability, UV stability and custom colour.

This allows a single polymer formulation to address multiple requirements in demanding food-processing, water-management and engineering applications.

Applications for antimicrobial polyketone

The combination of antimicrobial functionality and the inherent properties of PK makes antimicrobial polyketone particularly suitable for durable components used in hygiene-sensitive environments, including:

• food-processing equipment components;
• conveyor guides, gears and wear parts;
• valves and valve components;
• water and fluid-management fittings;
• connectors and couplings;
• pump components;
• dispensing equipment;
• plumbing hardware; and
• other injection-moulded components requiring antimicrobial protection, chemical resistance and mechanical performance.

Radical Materials can supply antimicrobial polyketone masterbatch or custom antimicrobial polyketone compounds, with formulation and testing tailored to the polymer grade, manufacturing process, finished component and operating environment.