Overview
PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone) is a high-performance semi-crystalline thermoplastic recognized for its exceptional mechanical strength, high-temperature resistance, wear resistance, chemical resistance, dimensional stability, and biocompatibility.
PEEK is widely considered one of the highest-performing engineering plastics available and is often used as a lightweight replacement for metal in aerospace, medical, automotive, semiconductor, and industrial applications.
PEEK is widely used in:
- Aerospace Components
- Medical Implants
- Semiconductor Equipment
- Oil & Gas Systems
- Bearings and Bushings
- Electrical Insulators
- High-Performance Mechanical Parts
- Automotive Components
Due to its outstanding combination of mechanical and thermal performance, PEEK is often regarded as the premium engineering thermoplastic.
Material Specification
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Material Designation | PEEK |
| Full Name | Polyether Ether Ketone |
| Material Family | High-Performance Thermoplastic |
| Density | 1.30–1.32 g/cm³ |
| Appearance | Natural Beige, Black |
| Typical Manufacturing Methods | Injection Molding, Compression Molding, CNC Machining, Extrusion |
| Standard Forms | Sheet, Rod, Tube, Pellets |
Chemical Composition
PEEK belongs to the polyaryletherketone (PAEK) family and consists of aromatic polymer chains connected by ether and ketone groups.
| Component | Function |
|---|---|
| Polyether Ether Ketone Polymer | Structural Matrix |
| Carbon Fiber (Optional) | Strength Enhancement |
| Glass Fiber (Optional) | Stiffness Improvement |
| PTFE Additives (Optional) | Wear Reduction |
Common PEEK Grades
| Grade | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Virgin PEEK | High Purity |
| Glass-Filled PEEK | Increased Rigidity |
| Carbon-Filled PEEK | Enhanced Strength |
| Bearing Grade PEEK | Improved Wear Resistance |
| Medical Grade PEEK | Implant Applications |
Mechanical Properties
Typical Values
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 90–110 MPa |
| Yield Strength | 95–105 MPa |
| Elongation at Break | 15–40% |
| Flexural Strength | 140–170 MPa |
| Flexural Modulus | 3.5–4.5 GPa |
| Hardness | Rockwell M95–105 |
| Compressive Strength | 120–140 MPa |
Typical Mechanical Performance
| Property | Performance |
|---|---|
| Strength | Outstanding |
| Stiffness | Outstanding |
| Fatigue Resistance | Excellent |
| Creep Resistance | Excellent |
PEEK maintains mechanical integrity even at elevated temperatures.
Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 1.30–1.32 g/cm³ |
| Water Absorption | 0.1–0.5% |
| Thermal Conductivity | 0.25–0.30 W/m·K |
| Specific Heat Capacity | 1300 J/kg·K |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion | Low |
PEEK exhibits exceptional dimensional stability under demanding conditions.
Thermal Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Melting Point | 343°C |
| Glass Transition Temperature | 143°C |
| Heat Deflection Temperature | 150–160°C |
| Continuous Service Temperature | Up to 250°C |
| Short-Term Service Temperature | Up to 300°C |
PEEK offers one of the highest continuous service temperatures among thermoplastics.
Strength-to-Weight Ratio
| Material | Density (g/cm³) | Tensile Strength |
|---|---|---|
| PEEK | 1.31 | 100 MPa |
| PTFE | 2.18 | 30 MPa |
| POM | 1.42 | 70 MPa |
| Aluminum 6061 | 2.70 | 310 MPa |
PEEK provides exceptional performance while weighing significantly less than metals.
Chemical Resistance
| Chemical Environment | Performance |
|---|---|
| Water | Excellent |
| Acids | Excellent |
| Alkalis | Excellent |
| Salt Solutions | Excellent |
| Alcohols | Excellent |
| Hydrocarbons | Excellent |
| Solvents | Excellent |
| Steam | Excellent |
PEEK is resistant to nearly all industrial chemicals and aggressive environments.
Corrosion Resistance
| Property | Performance |
|---|---|
| Moisture Resistance | Excellent |
| Corrosion Resistance | Outstanding |
| Hydrolysis Resistance | Outstanding |
| Environmental Stability | Outstanding |
PEEK performs exceptionally well in high-humidity and high-pressure steam environments.
Wear Resistance
| Property | Performance |
|---|---|
| Abrasion Resistance | Excellent |
| Sliding Wear Resistance | Excellent |
| Surface Durability | Excellent |
| Load Bearing Capacity | Excellent |
Bearing-grade PEEK is commonly used in demanding tribological applications.
Friction Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Coefficient of Friction | 0.25–0.40 |
| Self-Lubricating Grades Available | Yes |
| Dry Running Capability | Excellent |
| Wear Performance | Outstanding |
Filled grades significantly improve wear performance.
Electrical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Volume Resistivity | >10¹⁵ Ω·cm |
| Surface Resistivity | >10¹³ Ω |
| Dielectric Strength | 17–25 kV/mm |
| Dielectric Constant | 3.2–3.4 |
PEEK is widely used in aerospace, semiconductor, and electrical insulation applications.
Machinability
| Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| CNC Milling | Excellent |
| CNC Turning | Excellent |
| Drilling | Excellent |
| Tapping | Excellent |
| Precision Machining | Outstanding |
Machinability Comparison
| Material | Machinability |
|---|---|
| PEEK | Excellent |
| POM | Outstanding |
| PTFE | Excellent |
| UHMW-PE | Excellent |
PEEK can be machined to extremely tight tolerances.
Manufacturing Characteristics
| Manufacturing Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| Injection Molding | Excellent |
| Compression Molding | Excellent |
| CNC Machining | Outstanding |
| Extrusion | Excellent |
| Additive Manufacturing | Good |
PEEK requires specialized high-temperature processing equipment.
International Equivalent Grades
| Standard | Equivalent Grade |
|---|---|
| ISO | PEEK |
| ASTM | Polyether Ether Ketone |
| DIN | PEEK |
| JIS | PEEK |
| GB/T (China) | 聚醚醚酮（PEEK） |
| FDA | Medical & Food Grade Available |
Available Forms
| Product Type | Availability |
|---|---|
| Sheet | Yes |
| Rod | Yes |
| Tube | Yes |
| Film | Yes |
| Pellets | Yes |
| Machined Components | Yes |
Typical Applications
Aerospace Industry
- Structural Components
- Aircraft Interior Parts
- Electrical Connectors
- Lightweight Metal Replacement Parts
Medical Industry
- Spinal Implants
- Orthopedic Devices
- Surgical Instruments
- Dental Components
Semiconductor Industry
- Wafer Handling Components
- Insulators
- High-Purity Equipment Parts
Oil & Gas Industry
- Valve Components
- Compressor Parts
- Sealing Systems
- Downhole Equipment
Automotive Industry
- Transmission Components
- Bearing Cages
- Sensor Housings
- Under-Hood Parts
Industrial Equipment
- Bearings
- Bushings
- Wear Rings
- Pump Components
Manufacturing Characteristics
| Manufacturing Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| CNC Machining | Outstanding |
| Injection Molding | Excellent |
| Compression Molding | Excellent |
| Extrusion | Excellent |
| High-Precision Manufacturing | Outstanding |
Advantages
Exceptional High-Temperature Performance
Continuous service temperatures up to 250°C.
Outstanding Mechanical Strength
One of the strongest thermoplastics available.
Excellent Chemical Resistance
Resists aggressive industrial chemicals and solvents.
Superior Wear Resistance
Ideal for bearings, bushings, and friction applications.
Excellent Dimensional Stability
Maintains precision under heat and load.
Biocompatibility
Available in implant-grade formulations.
Limitations
High Material Cost
Significantly more expensive than conventional engineering plastics.
Specialized Processing Requirements
Requires high-temperature molding equipment.
Higher Machining Cost
Premium material cost increases production expenses.
Not Required for General Applications
May be excessive for standard engineering needs.
Comparison with High-Performance Plastics
| Property | PEEK | PTFE | POM | PPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Strength | Outstanding | Moderate | Excellent | Excellent |
| Temperature Resistance | Outstanding | Outstanding | Good | Excellent |
| Wear Resistance | Excellent | Moderate | Excellent | Good |
| Chemical Resistance | Excellent | Outstanding | Good | Excellent |
| Cost | Very High | High | Moderate | High |
Comparison with PTFE
| Property | PEEK | PTFE |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Strength | Much Higher | Lower |
| Wear Resistance | Better | Moderate |
| Chemical Resistance | Excellent | Outstanding |
| Friction Coefficient | Higher | Lower |
| Temperature Resistance | Excellent | Excellent |
Available Surface Finishes
Standard Finishes
- Machined Finish
- Natural Finish
- Molded Finish
Functional Finishes
- Precision Ground Finish
- Polished Finish
- Bearing Surface Finish
Specialty Grades
- Virgin PEEK
- Glass-Filled PEEK
- Carbon-Filled PEEK
- Bearing Grade PEEK
- Medical Grade PEEK
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is PEEK?
PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone) is a premium high-performance thermoplastic known for exceptional strength, temperature resistance, and chemical resistance.
What is PEEK used for?
Typical applications include:
- Aerospace Components
- Medical Implants
- Semiconductor Equipment
- Bearings and Bushings
- Oil & Gas Components
Is PEEK chemically resistant?
Yes. PEEK provides excellent resistance to chemicals, solvents, steam, and corrosive environments.
Is PEEK stronger than PTFE?
Yes. PEEK offers significantly higher mechanical strength and wear resistance than PTFE.
Can PEEK be machined?
Yes. PEEK is widely CNC machined into precision engineering components.
Why choose PEEK?
Because it combines:
- Exceptional Mechanical Strength
- High Temperature Stability
- Excellent Chemical Resistance
- Outstanding Wear Resistance
- Precision Engineering Capability
Is PEEK biocompatible?
Yes. Medical-grade PEEK is widely used for implants and healthcare applications.
Does GCNOV provide PEEK manufacturing services?
Yes. GCNOV provides:
- PEEK CNC Machining
- Injection Molding
- High-Precision Components
- Medical Grade Manufacturing
- Aerospace Component Production
- Prototype Development
- Low-Volume Production
- Mass Production