PEEK material — polyether ether ketone — is a semi-crystalline, high-performance thermoplastic that delivers an exceptional combination of mechanical strength, thermal stability, and chemical resistance in a single plastic form. PEEK plastic is produced through the polymerization of polyether ether ketone resin and is available from Ready Plastics as sheet, rod, and tube stock, ready for precision machining into finished components.
Unfilled PEEK carries a 14,500 psi tensile strength, 20,000 psi compressive stress at 10% strain, and a Rockwell R120 hardness — exceptional for an unreinforced thermoplastic. Continuous service temperature reaches 480°F (245°C), with short-term peaks to 590°F (310°C). The material rates UL 94 V-0 at 3 mm and 6 mm thickness and offers a dielectric strength of 610 V/mil, making it equally viable in structural and electrical insulation roles. Water absorption at saturation in air remains just 0.20%, supporting tight dimensional tolerances in humid or wet environments.
Grades and specialty variants. Unfilled PEEK is the baseline for most structural, chemical, and electrical applications. When greater stiffness and dimensional stability are required, choose PEEK CF30 — 30% carbon-fiber reinforced. For improved load-bearing rigidity with retained electrical insulation, see PEEK GF30 — 30% glass-fiber reinforced. Bearing and wear applications are addressed by PEEK PTFE — internally lubricated bearing grade and the higher-performance PEEK PVX — wear-grade triple-blend. Applications requiring controlled electrostatic dissipation in cleanroom or semiconductor environments call for PEEK ELS — electrostatic dissipative grade. For components exposed to shock and vibration, PEEK MT — metal-detectable, toughened grade provides enhanced impact resistance.
Industries and machining. Aerospace, medical device, semiconductor, and oil-and-gas industries rely on PEEK for its long-term reliability where metals are too heavy and standard engineering plastics fail on temperature or chemical compatibility. PEEK sheet and rod machine cleanly on conventional CNC equipment — standard carbide tooling with sharp edges, moderate speeds, and light coolant application yields tight-tolerance finished parts. Contact Ready Plastics for stock sizes, cut-to-length service, and datasheet specifications.
