Unfilled PEEK for high-strength, chemically resistant machined components

Unfilled PEEK is the base grade of polyether ether ketone without fiber or lubricant additives. It offers a balanced combination of strength, chemical resistance, thermal stability, and machinability.

It can be used for moderate wear applications, but bearing-grade PEEK is better suited for low friction and high wear environments.

Yes. Its low moisture absorption and stable thermal behavior support tight tolerances when proper machining practices are followed.

Yes. Unfilled PEEK provides excellent electrical insulation across a wide temperature range.

Moisture absorption is low, helping parts maintain dimensional and electrical stability in humid environments.

Unfilled PEEK is supplied as extruded rods, plates, and tubular bars in standard sizes, with custom dimensions available on request.

Yes. Unfilled PEEK maintains mechanical performance at elevated temperatures suitable for continuous industrial use.

Unfilled PEEK is the better choice when ease of machining, smoother surface finish, or higher ductility is required, and when extreme stiffness or very low thermal expansion is not critical.

Yes. Because it contains no glass or carbon fibers, unfilled PEEK is significantly less abrasive, resulting in reduced tool wear and more consistent surface finishes.

Yes, unfilled PEEK supports precision machining, especially for parts with fine features or thin sections. For applications where thermal expansion must be minimized further, reinforced grades may be preferred.

Unfilled PEEK offers excellent chemical resistance and maintains mechanical performance when exposed to oils, fuels, solvents, and most industrial chemicals.

In many applications, yes. Unfilled PEEK is often used to replace metal where weight reduction, corrosion resistance, or electrical insulation is required, provided stiffness requirements are within its limits.

The primary reason is chemical and steam resistance. While Ultem 1000 is excellent up to 170°C, it can crack when exposed to certain solvents (like acetone). PEEK is virtually inert to almost all chemicals and can handle continuous operation at 250°C, making it the choice for the most extreme environments.

Standard PPS is notoriously brittle—it can shatter like a ceramic if dropped or during aggressive machining. Impact-Modified PPS has elastomeric "tougheners" added to the resin. This increases its ductility (elongation), allowing it to survive mechanical shocks and making it much safer to machine into thin-walled parts.

Ultem 1000 (PEI) is usually the winner here. Because it is an amorphous polymer, it doesn't have the crystalline structure that causes PEEK or PPS to shrink or warp during the machining process. If you need a complex manifold to stay perfectly flat and square, Ultem is the most predictable material.

Yes, but with a caveat. Ultem 1000 is excellent for many sterilization methods (EtO, Gamma), but for repeated steam autoclaving, PEEK is superior. Over hundreds of cycles, Ultem can begin to show "crazing" (micro-cracks), whereas PEEK remains structurally unchanged.

Yes. If your operating temperature is below 200°C and you need excellent chemical resistance, Impact-Modified PPS can offer similar performance to PEEK at a significantly lower material cost. It is a favorite for high-volume chemical handling parts where PEEK would be over-engineered.

Unfilled PEEK has extremely high purity. It does not leach ionic contaminants and is resistant to the aggressive acids and bases used in wafer etching. Its low outgassing also makes it ideal for the high-vacuum environments found in semiconductor fabrication.

Ultem 1000. As an amorphous resin, it is highly susceptible to Environmental Stress Cracking (ESC). Contact with certain solvents, especially while the part is under a mechanical load, can cause it to fail instantly. PEEK and Impact-Modified PPS are semi-crystalline and are virtually unaffected by such solvents.

Ultem 1000: Distinctive translucent amber (honey-like). PEEK: Opaque tan or "light coffee" color. Impact-Modified PPS: Opaque, usually dark brown to black.

Ultem 1000 generally has the edge. It possesses very high dielectric strength and maintains its electrical properties over a wide range of frequencies and temperatures. This is why it is the industry standard for high-performance electrical connectors and bobbins.

PEEK or Ultem 1000 are best. Both have high elongation-at-break (up to 40-60%). Even though it is "modified," PPS is still the least ductile of the three; if your design requires a living hinge or a snap-fit that must deflect significantly, PEEK is the safest choice.