PEEK CF30 Sheet — Thicknesses, Sizes & Stock Forms
PEEK CF30 sheet is flat stock produced from carbon-fiber-reinforced polyetheretherketone (PEEK) with 30% carbon fiber content. The reinforcement substantially increases stiffness and dimensional stability compared to unfilled PEEK while lowering thermal expansion — making PEEK CF30 sheet the material of choice for structural flat components in aerospace, semiconductor, and high-performance industrial applications where temperature resistance, mechanical performance, and tight dimensional control are simultaneously required.
At a glance:
- Thickness range: approximately 0.020" to 2.0" standard stock
- Standard sheet sizes: standard panels available; contact Ready Plastics for current stock
- Material: Polyetheretherketone with 30% Carbon Fiber (PEEK CF30)
- Color: Black (carbon fiber filled)
- Long-term service temperature: 260 °C / 500 °F
- Semi-conductive: not suitable for electrical insulation applications
Standard Thickness Table
PEEK CF30 sheet is stocked in common thicknesses for precision machining and fabrication:
| Thickness | Notes |
|---|---|
| 0.020" – 0.062" | Thin precision sheets, shims |
| 1/8" (0.125") | Structural panels, spacers |
| 1/4" (0.250") | Medium-duty flat parts |
| 1/2" (0.500") | Heavier structural sections |
| 3/4" (0.750") | Tooling and fixture blanks |
| 1" (1.000") | Block-thickness machined parts |
| 2" (2.000") | Maximum standard thickness |
Contact Ready Plastics for current thickness and panel size availability.
Mechanical & Thermal Properties
From Ready Plastics PEEK CF30 specification data:
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 1.39 g/cm³ |
| Tensile strength | 242 MPa / 35,000 psi |
| Tensile modulus | 24,400 MPa / 3,538,000 psi |
| Elongation at break | 1.8 % |
| Impact strength (Charpy) | 44 kJ/m² |
| Glass transition temp. | 143 °C / 285 °F |
| Melting temperature | 343 °C / 645 °F |
| Heat deflection temp. | 332 °C / 625 °F |
| Service temp. (long term) | 260 °C / 500 °F |
| Service temp. (short term) | 300 °C / 570 °F |
| Molding shrinkage (longitudinal) | 0.3 % |
| Molding shrinkage (transverse) | 0.9 % |
| Surface resistivity | 10⁵ Ω |
| Volume resistivity | 10⁴ Ω·cm |
PEEK CF30 is semi-conductive due to carbon fiber content. It should not be used as an electrical insulator. For insulating PEEK sheet, see unfilled PEEK or PEEK GF30.
Typical Applications
PEEK CF30 sheet is machined and fabricated into structural flat components for extreme environments:
- Aerospace structural panels and brackets — high strength-to-weight with elevated thermal capability
- Semiconductor process equipment fixtures — dimensional stability through thermal cycling in process chambers
- High-temperature pump and valve body sections — tensile strength and chemical resistance for aggressive process fluids
- Precision tooling plates and fixturing — minimal thermal expansion change maintains tolerance stack-ups during temperature excursions
- Bearing and wear component blanks — carbon fiber improves wear resistance vs. unfilled PEEK
- Oil and gas high-pressure components — combined mechanical and chemical performance in downhole environments
Machining PEEK CF30 Sheet
PEEK CF30 sheet requires carbide tooling due to the abrasive nature of carbon fiber reinforcement. For production volumes, polycrystalline diamond (PCD) tooling is strongly recommended to manage tool wear. Waterjet cutting is effective for profile cutting without heat effects. CNC routing with fine-grain carbide bits produces clean edges. Apply coolant or compressed air during milling operations. The low elongation at break (1.8%) makes the material more susceptible to edge chipping under aggressive cut conditions — use light, sharp passes for final contouring.