Overview
Carbon Filled PEEK is a high-performance reinforced grade of Polyether Ether Ketone containing typically 10%–30% carbon fiber reinforcement, designed to provide exceptional stiffness, strength, wear resistance, thermal conductivity, dimensional stability, and fatigue resistance.
Compared with Virgin PEEK and Glass Filled PEEK, Carbon Filled PEEK offers superior load-bearing capability, lower thermal expansion, improved wear performance, and enhanced tribological characteristics. These properties make it one of the most advanced engineering plastics available for demanding industrial applications.
Carbon Filled PEEK is widely used in:
- Aerospace Components
- Semiconductor Equipment
- High-Performance Bearings
- Automotive Systems
- Oil & Gas Equipment
- Industrial Machinery
- Structural Components
- Precision Engineering Parts
Due to its outstanding mechanical and tribological performance, Carbon Filled PEEK is often selected as a lightweight alternative to metal in critical engineering applications.
Material Specification
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Material Designation | Carbon Filled PEEK |
| Full Name | Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polyether Ether Ketone |
| Common Name | CF30 PEEK |
| Material Family | High-Performance Thermoplastic |
| Carbon Fiber Content | Typically 10–30% |
| Density | 1.38–1.45 g/cm³ |
| Appearance | Black |
| Typical Manufacturing Methods | CNC Machining, Injection Molding, Compression Molding |
| Standard Forms | Sheet, Rod, Tube, Pellets |
Chemical Composition
Carbon Filled PEEK combines high-performance PEEK resin with reinforcing carbon fibers.
| Component | Function |
|---|---|
| Polyether Ether Ketone Polymer | Structural Matrix |
| Carbon Fibers | Strength & Stiffness Enhancement |
| Processing Additives | Manufacturing Stability |
Carbon fibers improve structural performance while reducing thermal expansion.
Common Carbon Filled PEEK Grades
| Grade | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| 10% Carbon Filled PEEK | Improved Strength |
| 20% Carbon Filled PEEK | Balanced Performance |
| 30% Carbon Filled PEEK | Maximum Rigidity |
| Bearing Grade Carbon PEEK | Enhanced Wear Resistance |
| Aerospace Grade Carbon PEEK | Structural Applications |
Mechanical Properties
Typical Values
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 130–180 MPa |
| Yield Strength | 120–170 MPa |
| Elongation at Break | 1–3% |
| Flexural Strength | 200–280 MPa |
| Flexural Modulus | 10–18 GPa |
| Hardness | Rockwell M105–115 |
| Compressive Strength | 180–250 MPa |
Typical Mechanical Performance
| Property | Performance |
|---|---|
| Stiffness | Outstanding |
| Structural Strength | Outstanding |
| Fatigue Resistance | Outstanding |
| Load Capacity | Outstanding |
Carbon Filled PEEK offers the highest stiffness among common PEEK grades.
Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 1.38–1.45 g/cm³ |
| Water Absorption | 0.05–0.2% |
| Thermal Conductivity | 0.50–1.20 W/m·K |
| Specific Heat Capacity | 1000–1200 J/kg·K |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion | Extremely Low |
Carbon reinforcement provides superior dimensional stability under temperature fluctuations.
Thermal Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Melting Point | 343°C |
| Glass Transition Temperature | 143°C |
| Heat Deflection Temperature | 300°C+ |
| Continuous Service Temperature | Up to 250°C |
| Short-Term Service Temperature | Up to 300°C |
Carbon Filled PEEK maintains excellent structural integrity at elevated temperatures.
Strength-to-Weight Ratio
| Material | Density (g/cm³) | Tensile Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon Filled PEEK | 1.42 | 160 MPa |
| Glass Filled PEEK | 1.52 | 135 MPa |
| Virgin PEEK | 1.31 | 100 MPa |
| Aluminum 6061 | 2.70 | 310 MPa |
Carbon Filled PEEK delivers exceptional strength while remaining significantly lighter than metals.
Chemical Resistance
| Chemical Environment | Performance |
|---|---|
| Water | Excellent |
| Acids | Excellent |
| Alkalis | Excellent |
| Steam | Excellent |
| Hydrocarbons | Excellent |
| Solvents | Excellent |
| Salt Solutions | Excellent |
| Cleaning Chemicals | Excellent |
Carbon reinforcement does not significantly affect PEEK’s excellent chemical resistance.
Hydrolysis Resistance
| Property | Performance |
|---|---|
| Steam Resistance | Outstanding |
| Hot Water Resistance | Outstanding |
| Sterilization Compatibility | Excellent |
| Hydrolysis Stability | Outstanding |
Suitable for demanding industrial and sterilization environments.
Wear Resistance
| Property | Performance |
|---|---|
| Abrasion Resistance | Outstanding |
| Sliding Wear Resistance | Outstanding |
| Surface Durability | Outstanding |
| Bearing Performance | Outstanding |
Carbon Filled PEEK offers superior wear performance compared with Virgin and Glass Filled PEEK.
Friction Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Coefficient of Friction | 0.18–0.30 |
| Dry Running Capability | Excellent |
| Load Bearing Performance | Outstanding |
| Tribological Performance | Outstanding |
Widely used for high-load bearing and wear applications.
Dimensional Stability
| Property | Performance |
|---|---|
| Thermal Expansion Control | Outstanding |
| Precision Stability | Outstanding |
| Creep Resistance | Outstanding |
| Structural Stability | Outstanding |
Carbon Filled PEEK offers the lowest thermal expansion among common PEEK grades.
Electrical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Volume Resistivity | 10²–10⁸ Ω·cm (Grade Dependent) |
| Surface Resistivity | Reduced |
| Electrical Conductivity | Semi-Conductive to Conductive |
| Static Dissipation | Excellent |
Unlike Virgin and Glass Filled PEEK, Carbon Filled PEEK may exhibit conductive or static-dissipative behavior.
Machinability
| Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| CNC Milling | Excellent |
| CNC Turning | Excellent |
| Drilling | Excellent |
| Tapping | Good |
| Precision Machining | Excellent |
Machinability Comparison
| Material | Machinability |
|---|---|
| Virgin PEEK | Excellent |
| Carbon Filled PEEK | Good–Excellent |
| Glass Filled PEEK | Good |
| POM | Outstanding |
Carbon fibers increase tool wear but allow excellent precision machining.
Manufacturing Characteristics
| Manufacturing Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| CNC Machining | Excellent |
| Injection Molding | Excellent |
| Compression Molding | Excellent |
| Extrusion | Excellent |
| Precision Manufacturing | Outstanding |
Carbon Filled PEEK is frequently selected for high-performance engineered components.
International Equivalent Grades
| Standard | Equivalent Grade |
|---|---|
| ISO | CF30 PEEK |
| ASTM | Carbon Fiber Reinforced PEEK |
| DIN | PEEK CF30 |
| JIS | Carbon Filled PEEK |
| GB/T (China) | 碳纤维增强PEEK |
| Aerospace Standards | Available |
Available Forms
| Product Type | Availability |
|---|---|
| Sheet | Yes |
| Rod | Yes |
| Tube | Yes |
| Pellets | Yes |
| Injection Molded Parts | Yes |
| Precision Machined Components | Yes |
Typical Applications
Aerospace Industry
- Structural Brackets
- Aircraft Components
- Lightweight Metal Replacement Parts
- High-Temperature Fixtures
Semiconductor Industry
- Wafer Handling Equipment
- Static Dissipative Components
- Precision Fixtures
- Process Equipment Parts
Automotive Industry
- Bearing Cages
- Transmission Components
- Structural Supports
- Sensor Components
Oil & Gas Industry
- Compressor Components
- Valve Parts
- Pump Wear Components
- Downhole Equipment
Industrial Machinery
- Bearings
- Bushings
- Wear Rings
- Guide Components
Precision Engineering
- Structural Assemblies
- High-Load Fixtures
- Precision Supports
- Dimensional Stability Components
Manufacturing Characteristics
| Manufacturing Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| CNC Machining | Excellent |
| Injection Molding | Excellent |
| Structural Component Production | Outstanding |
| High-Precision Manufacturing | Outstanding |
Advantages
Outstanding Strength-to-Weight Ratio
Provides exceptional structural performance while remaining lightweight.
Superior Wear Resistance
Excellent for dynamic and sliding applications.
Outstanding Dimensional Stability
Extremely low thermal expansion.
High Temperature Capability
Continuous operation up to 250°C.
Excellent Fatigue Resistance
Suitable for cyclic loading environments.
Lightweight Metal Replacement
Ideal alternative to aluminum and steel in many applications.
Limitations
Reduced Electrical Insulation
Carbon fibers increase conductivity.
Lower Toughness Than Virgin PEEK
More rigid but less ductile.
Increased Tool Wear
Carbon fibers accelerate machining tool wear.
Premium Material Cost
One of the most expensive engineering plastics available.
Comparison with Other PEEK Grades
| Property | Carbon Filled PEEK | Glass Filled PEEK | Virgin PEEK |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stiffness | Outstanding | Outstanding | Good |
| Wear Resistance | Best | Excellent | Good |
| Toughness | Moderate | Moderate | Highest |
| Dimensional Stability | Outstanding | Outstanding | Excellent |
| Electrical Insulation | Lower | Excellent | Outstanding |
Comparison with Glass Filled PEEK
| Property | Carbon Filled PEEK | Glass Filled PEEK |
|---|---|---|
| Wear Resistance | Better | |
| Thermal Conductivity | Higher | |
| Electrical Insulation | Lower | |
| Static Dissipation | Better | |
| Compressive Strength | Higher |
Available Surface Finishes
Standard Finishes
- Machined Finish
- Molded Finish
- Precision Ground Finish
Functional Finishes
- Bearing Surface Finish
- Polished Surface
- Structural Engineering Finish
Specialty Grades
- 10% Carbon Filled PEEK
- 20% Carbon Filled PEEK
- 30% Carbon Filled PEEK
- Bearing Grade Carbon PEEK
- Aerospace Grade Carbon PEEK
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Carbon Filled PEEK?
Carbon Filled PEEK is a carbon fiber reinforced PEEK material designed to improve strength, stiffness, wear resistance, and dimensional stability.
What is Carbon Filled PEEK used for?
Typical applications include:
- Bearings
- Aerospace Components
- Semiconductor Equipment
- Automotive Parts
- Structural Engineering Components
Is Carbon Filled PEEK stronger than Virgin PEEK?
Yes. Carbon Filled PEEK offers significantly higher stiffness, strength, and wear resistance.
Is Carbon Filled PEEK electrically conductive?
Many grades are static dissipative or semi-conductive due to carbon fiber reinforcement.
Can Carbon Filled PEEK be machined?
Yes. It is commonly CNC machined into precision engineering components.
Why choose Carbon Filled PEEK?
Because it combines:
- Outstanding Strength
- Superior Wear Resistance
- Excellent Dimensional Stability
- High Temperature Performance
- Lightweight Structural Capability
What is the difference between Carbon Filled and Glass Filled PEEK?
Carbon Filled PEEK offers better wear resistance, thermal conductivity, and strength, while Glass Filled PEEK provides better electrical insulation.
Does GCNOV provide Carbon Filled PEEK manufacturing services?
Yes. GCNOV provides:
- Carbon Filled PEEK CNC Machining
- Aerospace Component Manufacturing
- Bearing & Wear Component Production
- Semiconductor Equipment Parts
- Precision Engineering Components
- Prototype Development
- Low-Volume Production
- Mass Production