Based on INNOKETONE® PK modified materials, WDF provides tailored material solutions for different electrical components and application requirements.From materials to components, WDF continues to explore the possibilities of PK in electrical applications—helping every solution stand the test of time.
A switch may be pressed several times, dozens of times, or even more every day.
When it is new, the actuation feels crisp, the sound is clear, and the return is quick and responsive. But after years of use, the sound may become dull, the actuation may feel softer, and the return may no longer be as smooth and responsive as before.
Q: Why does something as simple as a switch “change” over time?
A: Beyond structural design, material selection is also an important factor affecting long-term operating performance and user experience.
Traditional engineering plastics such as PA, PC, and POM have been widely used in electrical products, each offering its own performance advantages. However, as products demand longer service life, better dimensional stability, higher wear resistance, and improved flame-retardant safety, new material options are increasingly being explored.
This is where PK (Polyketone) is gaining attention in electrical applications.
01 PK Materials: From Performance Advantages to Applications
PK is a semi-crystalline thermoplastic engineering polymer produced through the copolymerization of carbon monoxide, ethylene, and propylene.
Its distinctive molecular structure provides good wear resistance, low moisture absorption, dimensional stability, chemical resistance, and creep resistance. These characteristics make PK well suited to applications involving long-term operation, repeated movement, and demanding environmental conditions.
As electrical products place greater demands on service life, reliability, and overall performance, PK has demonstrated a good fit for certain applications, offering a new material option for electrical switch components.
Let’s take a closer look at how PK is applied across different electrical switch components and application scenarios.
02 PK in Different Electrical Components
(1) Wall Switches
The internal moving components of wall switches need to withstand repeated actuation over long periods. Wear resistance, dimensional stability, and creep resistance can directly affect actuation feel, sound, and response.
For certain internal moving components of wall switches originally made from modified PC or PA, WDF developed a modified PK material solution and completed validation on finished components.
Key application requirements：
Actuation Life ｜ Acoustic Performance ｜ Response Sensitivity ｜ Dimensional Stability
PK’s good wear resistance and creep resistance can help reduce wear and dimensional changes caused by repeated operation over time, helping maintain stable fit between internal components.
Application testing showed that switch components using the PK solution delivered good performance in actuation durability, crispness of sound, dimensional stability, and response sensitivity.
From material performance to the actual actuation experience, the advantages of PK ultimately translate into a crisp, consistent “click” with every press.
(2) Industrial Push Buttons
Industrial push buttons are subject to repeated mechanical operation over extended periods. The material therefore needs to provide good wear resistance while also offering long mechanical service life.
For internal components of push-button switches, WDF developed a modified PK material solution and completed validation on finished components.
The relevant PK solution has passed:
✓ More than 20,000 actuation cycles
✓ 650°C glow-wire testing
Compared with POM, the PK solution demonstrated better durability and suitability for the application. Its good wear resistance can help reduce cumulative wear during repeated actuation over time. The halogen-free flame-retardant formulation meets the flame-retardant safety requirements of electrical components, providing material support for long-term reliable operation.
(3) Socket Safety Shutters
A socket safety shutter is located inside the socket. It moves when a plug is inserted and returns to its original position after the plug is removed. During repeated use over time, wear, friction, and dimensional changes may affect the fit between the shutter and internal components, which can in turn affect its sliding and return performance.
For certain socket safety shutter structures originally made from glass-fiber-reinforced PA, WDF developed a glass-fiber-reinforced PK replacement solution and completed validation on finished components.
Key Application Requirements
Low Moisture Absorption ｜ Dimensional Stability ｜ Wear Resistance ｜ Low Friction
PK’s good wear resistance and low-friction characteristics can help reduce wear during repeated sliding over time, helping maintain stable fit between the safety shutter and internal components.
(4) Circuit Breaker Components
Internal components of circuit breakers need to maintain stable dimensions and fit over long-term use, while also meeting the flame-retardant and environmental reliability requirements of electrical products.
For relevant circuit breaker components, WDF developed modified PK material solutions based on actual operating conditions and conducted component-level validation.
| Test Item | Test Standard | Unit | K990F-GN | K990GF20F-GN | K990GF30F-GN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flammability | UL94 | / | 0.8mm V-0 | 0.8mm V-0 | 0.8mm V-0 |
| CTI | IEC 60112 | V | 600 | 600 | 600 |
| GWIT | IEC 60695-2-13 | ℃ | 775 | 775 | 800 |
Depending on the application requirements, the material can be designed with functions such as halogen-free flame retardancy, dimensional stability, and environmental reliability. The relevant solutions have been evaluated through 650°C glow-wire testing and 85°C/85% RH damp-heat testing to verify their reliability under demanding environmental conditions.
For electrical components that need to balance safety, dimensional stability, and long-term reliability, PK provides an additional material option.
The relevant PK solutions have passed:
✓ UL 94 V-0 Flammability Test
✓ 650°C glow-wire testing
✓ 85°C/85% RH damp-heat testing
PK’s good wear resistance can help reduce cumulative wear during repeated actuation over time. The halogen-free flame-retardant formulation meets the flame-retardant safety requirements of electrical components, providing material support for long-term reliable operation.
WDF — Customized Solutions for Different Applications
Different components and operating conditions involve different types of wear and performance requirements. There is no “one-size-fits-all” formulation for every application. Instead, material solutions need to be designed around actual operating conditions and specific application requirements.
Based on INNOKETONE® PK modified materials, WDF provides tailored material solutions for different electrical components and application requirements.
From materials to components, WDF continues to explore the possibilities of PK in electrical applications—helping every solution stand the test of time.