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Engineering Plastic

PEEK

The highest-performance engineering thermoplastic — where metal is too heavy or too conductive.

Tensile Strength

100 MPa

Density

1.32 g/cm³

Max Temp

250°C continuous

Machinability

PEEK (Polyether ether ketone) is the benchmark high-performance engineering thermoplastic. It combines exceptional chemical resistance (resists almost all solvents, acids, and sterilisation agents), high continuous service temperature (250°C), full biocompatibility (USP Class VI), and X-ray transparency in a material that machines to tight tolerances with excellent surface finish. At OrangeSea CNC we machine PEEK for medical device manufacturers, aerospace interiors suppliers, and semiconductor equipment builders — all applications where metal is either too heavy, too conductive, or not biocompatible enough.

Technical Data

Material Properties

Tensile Strength

100 MPa

Flexural Modulus

3.6 GPa

Hardness

88 Shore D

Density

1.32 g/cm³

Thermal Conductivity

0.25 W/m·K (low)

Machinability

Good (4/5)

Continuous Service Temp

250°C

Chemical Resistance

Excellent — most solvents & acids

Biocompatibility

USP Class VI, ISO 10993

X-ray Transparency

Yes — radiolucent

Capabilities

Why CNC Machine PEEK?

Medical Grade Available

USP Class VI and ISO 10993 certified grades available. Used in surgical instruments, endoscope components, PEEK cages (spinal implant trials), and lab automation.

Chemical Resistance

PEEK is resistant to virtually all chemicals used in pharmaceutical manufacturing, semiconductor processing, and laboratory environments.

Sterilisation Compatible

Survives autoclave (steam), EtO, gamma radiation, and UV sterilisation — essential for reusable medical device components.

Dimensionally Stable

Very low moisture absorption (0.5%) means PEEK holds tight tolerances in humid environments where nylon or acetal would swell.

X-ray Transparent

PEEK shows little opacity on X-ray and fluoroscopy — essential for orthopaedic trial components and surgical guides used intraoperatively.

High Temperature

250°C continuous service temperature — usable in sterilisation environments, engine bays, and high-temperature semiconductor process chambers.

Use Cases

What We Machine in PEEK

Medical Devices

Surgical instrument handles, endoscope parts, spinal implant trials, PEEK cages, lab automation components

Aerospace

Aircraft interior brackets, electrical insulation components, lightweight structural fittings

Semiconductor

Wafer handling fixtures, chemical bath components, plasma-resistant tool bodies

Oil & Gas

Downhole seal components, chemical injection parts, high-temperature valve seats

Engineering Tips

Design for Machining — PEEK

Specify the grade: unfilled natural PEEK, 30% glass-filled (higher stiffness), or 30% carbon-filled (higher strength, electrically conductive)

PEEK generates fine chips that electrostatically cling to surfaces — thorough cleaning required before inspection or use in cleanroom environments

Do not over-specify tolerances — PEEK moves slightly with temperature. ±0.05 mm is realistic for most features; ±0.025 mm requires temperature-controlled inspection

Natural PEEK is cream/tan coloured; black grades are carbon or graphite-filled. Do not assume colour indicates grade

Always supply material certs and biocompatibility documentation with medical PEEK orders — we include these as standard

Surface Options