PEEK plastic material - Polyetheretherketone

The material PEEK is a unique, versatile, semi-crystalline engineering thermoplastic with excellent chemical resistance. Due to its high heat distortion and temperature resistance, PEEK components can be used at temperatures up to 250 - 260 °C. The melting point of the high temperature plastic is approx. 341 °C.
PEEK materials are often used in environments with hot water or steam and are still able to maintain their physical properties such as flexural strength and tensile strength at a high level.
Polyetheretherketone is often mistaken as merely a high-priced engineering thermoplastic. However, experienced users appreciate the added value that PEEK plastics offer due to their desirable material properties; that is to say, the ability to produce components that are lighter, more resilient and can withstand demanding operating conditions for longer periods of time.

Manufactured PEEK products and PEEK parts

PEEK Compounds
icon composites PEEK composites
PEEK filaments
PEEK plates
PEEK tubes
PEEK rods
PEEK Injection molding
PEEK Machining
PEEK Profiles
Ensinger combines several production techniques and processing methods under one roof. With our many years of PEEK manufacturing expertise, as a PEEK supplier we offer almost all polymer solutions in the form of PEEK compounds, PEEK rods, PEEK tubes and rings, PEEK sheets, PEEK filaments and PEEK composites.
Our extensive portfolio of PEEK products is complemented by a wide range of processing methods for PEEK components. As an established PEEK manufacturer for many industries, the following options are available for PEEK finished parts: PEEK injection molding, PEEK machining and PEEK profiles.

PEEK RODS, PLATES AND TUBES - MORE THAN 50 PEEK VARIANTS

Ensinger produces PEEK thermoplastic as a standard semi-finished product for machining. The following shapes are possible: 

  • PEEK rod
  • PEEK plate
  • PEEK tube

Victrex® PEEK 450 or Solvay KetaSpire® KT-820 polymer can be used.

All PEEK plates All PEEK rods All PEEK tubes

A great advantage of PEEK plastics is that the PEEK material properties can be adjusted to suit the application. Various PEEK modifications are available, such as fibre reinforced PEEK, PEEK with PTFE, conductive PEEK and others. You can choose the most suitable material depending on the application environment and field of use. We also offer special PEEK material types for medical, oil and gas, semiconductor, agriculture, food and aerospace applications.

The unfilled PEEK polymer shapes and its modifications are offered by Ensinger under the brand name TECAPEEK. The Ensinger TECAPEEK family includes the following modifications:

Unreinforced PEEK - TECAPEEK natural

  • Continuous service temperature: 250 - 260 °C 
  • Maximum operating temperature for short periods: 300 °C
  • Tensile strength: 116 MPa
  • Excellent resistance to weak acids and alkalis
  • Use in various industries: Aerospace, food technology, oil and gas, mechanical engineering
  • High availability of PEEK rods, PEEK sheets, PEEK tubes: well over 100 sizes in stock
  • Based on Victrex PEEK 450 or Solvay KetaSpire® KT-820

TECAPEEK natural

Fields of applications

  • General industry: gear parts, sliding elements, compressors, pumps
  • Transport systems: Gears, rollers, grippers, valves
  • Electronics: Insulators, connectors, wafer carriers
  • Food: valves, mixers, kneaders
  • Gas and energy: sealing components, piston seals

Fibre-reinforced PEEK - for high mechanical properties

  • TECAPEEK GF30 natural
  • TECAPEEK CF30 black

Reinforced with 30% glass or carbon fibre. PEEK reinforced grades exhibit higher stiffness and strength than unfilled PEEK materials. Improved heat resistance and hardness and a higher modulus of elasticity are also characteristics of carbon or glass filled PEEK.

E-Modulus
Brand name
E-Modulus (ISO 527)
TECAPEEK natural  4200 MPa
TECAPEEK CF30 black 6000 MPa
TECAPEEK GF30 natural 6300 MPa
TECAPEEK GF30 natural
TECAPEEK CF30 black

Unreinforced PAEK with improved heat resistance and strength

  • TECAPEEK ST black (PEKEKK polymer)
  • TECAPEEK HT black (PEK polyer)

A perfect choice when fibre-reinforced grades cannot be used. Compared to unfilled PEEK, they have a higher glass transition point and melting point. Other features include high strength, hardness, fatigue strength and dimensional stability at 150 to 200 °C. 

Glass Transition (Tg) and melt temperature (Tm)
Brand name
Tg
Tm
TECAPEEK natural  150 °C 341 °C
TECAPEEK HT black 160 °C 375 °C
TECAPEEK ST black 165 °C 384 °C
TECAPEEK ST black
TECAPEEK HT black

PTFE filled PEEK - for improved friction and wear properties

TECAPEEK PVX black

  • Optimum filler combination (carbon fibre, PTFE, graphite)
  • Resistant to high frictional heat, suitable for high temperature environments

TECAPEEK TF10 blue

  • Filled with 10% PTFE 
  • Suitable for optical detection
  • Food conform according to FDA and EU 10/2011
TECAPEEK PVX black
TECAPEEK TF10 blue

Areas of applications

Ball bearing retainers, plain bearings, seals, rollers and guides etc.

PEEK optimised for use in the semiconductor and electrical industry

TECAPEEK ELS nano black

  • Filled with CNT (carbon nanotube)
  • Conductive type
  • Surface resistance between 102 - 104 Ω
  • Easy to machine, comparable to TECAPEEK natural

TECAPEEK SD black

  • PEEK SD material 
  • Surface resistance between 106 - 109 Ω
  • High precision machining with tight tolerances for test sockets
TECAPEEK ELS nano black
TECAPEEK SD black

High performance PEEK grades for CMP rings

Both grades are optimised for CMP in semiconductor manufacturing, are compatible with various suspensions and feature excellent wear resistance.

TECAPEEK CMP natural

  • Excellent wear resistance
  • Higher toughness compared to TECAPEEK SE natural

TECAPEEK SX natural

  • Excellent wear resistance
  • Superior hardness
TECAPEEK CMP natural
TECAPEEK SX natural

Ceramic filled PEEK - for the fabrication of test sockets

TECAPEEK CMF white

  • Very high stiffness and low CLTE value
  • High precision machining with tight tolerances
  • Does not tend to form burrs during machining
  • Low water absorption
  • Good flatness compared to injection molded parts
TECAPEEK CMF white

Biocompatible PEEK - meets the requirements of ISO 10993

TECAPEEK MT 

  • Suitable for all medical applications with limited contact with skin and tissue for up to 24 hours and, if necessary, in direct contact with blood
  • Suitable for various sterilisation processes
  • Various colours available from stock
  • Special types are also available: Carbon-fibre filled PEEK (TECAPEEK MT CF30 black)
  • X-ray detectable PEEK (TECAPEEK MT XRO coloured)

TECAPEEK MT CLASSIX™ white

  • Developed for dental and medical applications
  • Blood and tissue contact for up to 30 days
  • Dental application can be extended (180 days) 

TECATEC PEEK MT CW50 black

  • Applications with limited contact with skin and tissue for up to 24 hours and direct contact with blood if necessary
  • Carbon fibre reinforced PEEK composite
  • Tensile strength: 500 MPa or more (same level as stainless steel)
  • Ideal for aiming posts
TECAPEEK MT natural
All Medical grades

PEEK suitable for food contact and various detectors

Contributes to improved safety in food production

TECAPEEK UD blue

  • Metal detectable and X-ray detectable
  • Complies with food standards (FDA, EU 10/2011)
  • Excellent resistance to various cleaning methods such as hot water and sodium hypochlorite

 TECAPEEK ID blue

  • Metal detectable
  • Complies with food standards (FDA, EU 10/2011)
  • Excellent resistance to various cleaning methods such as hot water and sodium hypochlorite
TECAPEEK ID blue
TECAPEEK UD blue
All PEEK shapes

TECAPEEK - Why PEEK plastics from Ensinger?

Custom products

In order to meet the individual processing requirements of a designed component, we offer various further processing options such as cutting and planing or cutting and grinding. This brings you closer to your finished part size, saving you time and resources.

PEEK experienced

We have over 3 decades of experience in the field of PEEK extrusion and are one of the first companies to successfully extrude PEEK. We now have a distribution network of more than 20 subsidiaries and supply PEEK all over the world.

Huge portfolio

Ensinger is one of the world's largest PEEK material manufacturers of extruded semi-finished products with one of the most extensive portfolios. In addition to PEEK natural, we offer various grades for specific industries such as medical, semiconductor, electronics and mechanical engineering. Furthermore, PEEK sheets, PEEK rods and PEEK tubes are available in an exceptionally wide range of dimensions.

PEEK MATERIAL PROPERTIES AND CHARACTERISTICS

PEEK polymer is a high performance plastic material with an excellent balance of physical properties. It has one of the highest levels of heat resistance and mechanical strength available among plastics. It is also one of the best choices when looking for good chemical resistance, as well as radiation resistance. Click on the list below for detailed PEEK characteristics.

  • Highest heat resistant plastic: PEEK

    PEEK is one of the best heat-resistant materials among high performance plastics. Even when used at 260 °C for 5000 hours, the strength is almost the same as in the initial state and excellent in thermal stability. PEEK has a long lifetime in the harshest environments. 

    • Long-term heat resistance: 250 - 260 °C 
    • Short-term heat resistance: 300 °C 
    • Glass transition point: 143 °C
    • Melting point: 343 °C
    • Thermal deformation temperature HDT-A : 152 °C
    • Flame resistance: UL94 V-0
     

  • Material with excellent creep and fatigue resistance

    PEEK has some of the best mechanical strength characteristics available among engineering plastics, including the following:

    • Tensile strength (90 MPa or more)
    • High modulus of elasticity
    • High hardness
    • Shock resistance
    • Creep resistance

    PEEK is also resistant to bending and, compressive stress, so it can also be used in situations where stability is required. In addition to standard PEEK, the following modified high-strength grades are available.

    Learn more about mechanical properties
    E-Module
    Impact strength
  • PEEK exhibits excellent resistance to various organic solvents, oils, weak acids and alkalis, and can maintain strength over a wide temperature range and concentration. It has proven to be a polymer that is difficult to discolour, expand or break.
    Chemical resistance
    Learn more about chemical resistance

  • PEEK bearing materials with excellent heat resistance and durability

    Unfilled PEEK natural is the most balanced material in high temperature environments, where non-lubricated sliding and non-contamination is required. Still, many applications call for special PEEK bearing grades as TECAPEEK PVX black, containing a multiple filler system (graphite, carbon fiber and PTFE), to fulfill a combination of requirements:

    • Low coefficient of friction
    • Improved heat dissipation (reduced frictional heat)
    • Improved strength and wear resistance

    With this combination of criteria, this bearing grade material can be used in harsh environments of 100 to 300 °C. PEEK is used where conventional materials (POM, PA / Nylon etc.) would be beyond their limits. Because of these excellent sliding characteristics, they are used in gears, bearings, sliding bearings, and many other applications. In order to avoid thermal overload of a bearing, the resulting frictional heat should be dissipated as quickly as possible from the sliding surface of the bearing. The better the thermal conductivity of the part, the faster the heat is dissipated and overheating can be reduced. The fillers carbon fiber and graphite make TECAPEEK PVX black a superior bearing grade with improved thermal conductivity.

    The sliding behavior always depends on the overall sliding system, and on parameters like sliding partner, load, sliding speed, surface roughness, temperature and so on.

    PEEK Bearing Test 
    Details: steel shaft Ø 4mm, sliding speeds from 0-22 mm/s, load of 30 N 
    The graph clearly highlights how the friction coefficient develops over time (no. of cycles) in accordance to various sliding speeds (mm/s). As shown, TECAPEEK PVX black achieves permanently a lower friction coefficient than TECAPEEK natural.
    Learn more about friction and wear characteristics

  • Produces highly reliable and stable PEEK parts

    PEEK is used where high precision parts are required. One of the main reasons is that PEEK exibits excellent dimensional stability.
    The coefficient of linear expansion (CLTE) is low, and stable dimensions can be obtained even up to 150 °C near the glass transition point. PEEK does also resist high loads and provides dimensional stability over a long period of time due to high stiffness and creep resistance. 
    The low water absorption makes PEEK resistant to dimensional changes due to swelling even if high humidity is present.
    Moreover, PEEK is resistant to seawater and steam, and does not hydrolyze even in high temperature and high humidity environments. In the medical field for repetitive use, PEEK can withstand more than 1500 steam sterilization (autoclave) cycles at 134 °C.  In the industrial field, it is often used for valve parts due to the advantage of its superior water resistance.
     
    Learn more about dimensional stability
    Coefficient of linear thermal expansion

  • Long lifetime in harsh environments

    Due to its chemically stable molecular structure, PEEK has the highest level of radiation resistance among thermoplastics. Even high-dose gamma rays can be used without embrittlement or degradation which leads to cracking. As a result, it can be used for a long lifetime, and maintenance costs can be reduced. Therefore PEEK is an excellent choice in harsh environments such as aircraft, power plants, and medical equipment affected by radiation.
    Learn more about radiation resistance
    Radiation resistance

  • PEEK fulfills requirements for applications in vacuum and CMP

    PEEK is a highly pure material with very low VOC (volatile organic compound) content and low outgassing. In addition, it has a low water absorption of 0.03 % and can be used without worrying about outgassing in a vacuum environment like Aerospace.

    The metal ion contamination is very low. This makes PEEK an excellent choice for the most stringent requirements in the semiconductor and solar industry, as well as for medical applications. 

    Learn more about low outgassing

  • Supports more than 10 different standards

    PEEK materials can comply to many standards and are used in various industries. 

    • Food: FDA, (EC) No. 1935/2004, (EU) No. 10/2011, China food contact regulation
    • Medical: ISO 10993, USP Class VI
    • Aerospace: FAR 25.853, MIL-P-46183
    • Oil and Gas: ISO 23936-1, NORSOK M-71OC
     
    There are even more standards than the ones mentioned. Learn more about compliance of TECAPEEK on the industry pages or contact us directly. 

PEEK RoHS

For all our TECAPEEK products we can confirm that the limits of RoHS (2011/65/EU Restriction of hazardous Substances in electrical and electronic equipment) are met and therefore PEEK is RoHS compliant. Semi-finished plastic products do not fall within the scope of Directive 2011/65/EU RoHS, however we would like to support our customers in the supply chain to comply with the requirements of Directive 2011/65/EU RoHS. Details can be found in our declarations on substances, legislation and standards, which we provide free of charge.

Your advantages

  • We have expanded the stocking program for PEEK natural to include 1000 mm wide plates. These wider plates are available from 10 mm through 90 mm in thickness, and can greatly increase the possibilities for your application and engineering design.

  • In any manufacturing environment, machine utilisation is always a priority.  Waterjet cutting parts might speed the part manufacturing process, yet still be limited by smaller plate sizes that require frequent change over.  Ensinger's 1000mm wide PEEK plates offer additional machinable surface area that can increase part yield per plate by up to 30%.

  • Waste of material is unnecessary and expensive. Reduce your yield loss by selecting the perfect match for you. Choose from many different dimensions in stock and on request.

  • Sometimes it is best for a designer or machinist to try and look at things from a different perspective. Let our technical experts help you figure out the best way to nest your parts in the most appropriately sized shape from Ensinger's large selection of PEEK stock shapes.

PEEK APPLICATIONS & USES

Back up ring

  • High long term service temperature (260 °C)
  • Low tendency to creep, even at high temperatures
  • High strength, hardness and rigidity

Machined from TECAPEEK SM natural (spin moulded PEEK tube)

Gear case with tooth rack

  • High mechanical strength
  • Good kinetical friction properties
  • No lubrication necessary
  • Low density
  • Narrow tolerances

Machined from TECAPEEK natural and TECAPEEK PVX black

Gear wheel

  • Suitable for high loads 
  • Good temperature resistance
  • High surface pressure

Machined TECAPEEK natural

Closing die

  • Long-term service temperature up to 260 °C
  • Brief exposures of up to 300 °C
  • Excellent mechanical properties

Machined from extruded TECAPEEK black

Dental healing cap

Machined from TECAPEEK CLASSIX™ white

  • Temporary implant, which can have blood and tissue contact of up to 30 days
  • Outstanding sterilisation resistance
  • Very good chemical resistance

Target arm

Part of an internal fixation system (traumatology)

  • Best mechanical strength 
  • High thermal dimensional stability

Machined from composite TECATEC PEEK MT CW50 black

Other typical applications that are machined from PEEK plastics: 

Electronical industry: insulators, connectors and wafer-carrier

Mechanical engineering: gear wheels, sliding elements, compressor- and pump-components, bushings, valves and rollers

Automotive industry: clutch and gearbox components and turbocharger impeller

Conveyor technics: guidances, strokes, rollers, grippers, and valves

Medical industry: parts for surgical instruments and short term implants

Food industry: valves, blenders, strippers, dosing systems and kneaders

Oil- and gas industry: drill heads, sealings and sensors