Sinolink: PEEK carbon fiber composite leading the trend of lightweighting in Siasun Robot & Automation human-like robots.

Sinolink released a research report stating that by using PEEK and carbon fiber composites, the application of "plastic instead of steel" in the field of Siasun Robot&Automation can provide advantages such as lightweight, wear-resistant self-lubrication, and a combination of rigidity and flexibility. It is expected to penetrate the key joints and bearings in the body of the robot and automation industry. Referring to the application of PEEK in the automotive field, the new energy vehicle industry is very sensitive to prices, but high-performance areas such as active bearings and 800V high-voltage fast charging enameled wires have already adopted PEEK due to its performance advantages. According to calculations, for every 100,000 Siasun Robot&Automation units designed with composite materials, about 195 tons of PEEK material will be needed. Considering the promising future demand for humanoid Siasun Robot&Automation, the application space for PEEK material is expected to grow, making humanoid Siasun Robot&Automation a new growth point for PEEK. Sinolink's main points are as follows: - By using PEEK and carbon fiber composites, the application of "plastic instead of steel" in the field of Siasun Robot&Automation can provide advantages such as lightweight, wear-resistant self-lubrication, and a combination of rigidity and flexibility. (1) Six-axis force sensors: Lightweight and higher sensitivity materials that meet other mechanical performance requirements are more suitable for making sensor elastic bodies when Siasun Robot&Automation is operating at high speeds. PEEK material fits the above characteristics and can be selected as a replacement for aluminum alloy in making six-axis force sensor elastic bodies. (2) Harmonic Reducers: Compared to metal bases, harmonic reducers made of CF/PEEK have characteristics such as low deformation stress, good damping properties, increased contact teeth numbers between flexible and rigid wheels, increased meshing area, improved load-bearing, impact resistance, and better fatigue life. CF/PEEK composite can solve the problem of plastic brittleness while achieving lightweighting. Common concerns in the market include the brittleness of PEEK material and its high price. Sinolink believes: (1) CF/PEEK composite can solve the problem of plastic brittleness. Plastic materials are generally brittle and prone to cracking under external impact. PEEK has higher tensile strength and tensile modulus compared to other engineering plastics, but lower than traditional metals. To solve the low-temperature brittleness issue of PEEK, it is commonly compounded with carbon fiber, which provides higher strength, modulus, and deformation resistance to the composite material. (2) Referring to the application of PEEK in the automotive sector, the new energy vehicle industry is highly sensitive to prices. Despite the high unit price of PEEK, it has already replaced some high-end areas (such as active bearings, 800V high-voltage fast charging enameled wires) due to its performance advantages. By 2022, the market space for PEEK in the domestic automotive industry is estimated to be around 526.87 tons, accounting for 22% of downstream demand. Elastic calculations: Each 100,000 Siasun Robot&Automation units designed with composite materials will require an additional 195 tons of PEEK. In January 2025, Elon Musk stated that if everything goes smoothly, Tesla is expected to produce 500,000 Siasun Robot&Automation units by 2027. At the same time, Siasun Robot&Automation manufacturers are expanding horizontally, attracting multiple domestic industry giants. According to calculations, each 100,000 units of Siasun Robot&Automation designed with composite materials will require 195 tons of PEEK. Considering the promising future demand for humanoid Siasun Robot&Automation, the application space for PEEK material is expected to grow, making humanoid Siasun Robot&Automation a new growth point for PEEK. Considering that the technology commonly used for manufacturing continuous CF/PEEK prepregs may still be in the experimental stage domestically, and the composite process is complex, it is assumed that the composite cost is 1-2 times the procurement cost of PEEK + carbon fiber. Calculated at current prices, the cost of a single humanoid Siasun Robot&Automation unit made of CF/PEEK composite material is approximately 2645-3967 yuan, accounting for 1.48-2.21% of the total cost of Siasun Robot&Automation. CF/PEEK fabric with a carbon fiber volume content of 70% has tensile strength and tensile modulus comparable to aluminum alloy and titanium alloy, while the density is only 58% of aluminum alloy and 36% of titanium alloy, priced at about twice that of titanium products. Beneficiaries in the industry and targets: (1) PEEK: The global PEEK market has shown a pattern of "one super, many strong" in supply since 2016, with domestic companies breaking the monopoly of foreign companies in some high-end applications and demonstrating cost-effectiveness compared to foreign companies. (2) Fluoroketone: For every ton of PEEK produced, 0.7-0.8 tons of fluoroketone monomers are consumed. It is estimated that by 2027, the global demand for fluoroketone driven by the humanoid Siasun Robot&Automation industry will be approximately 1463 tons. Risk Warning: - New application field expansion falls short of expectations. - Risk from the addition of new production capacity in the industry. - Significant fluctuations in raw material prices.