Introduction
When failure isn’t an option—like in aircraft parts, medical devices, or oil tools deep underground—you face a big challenge. You need a material that won’t crack, deform, or wear out, even under extreme conditions.
That’s where we come in. We help you solve this by using PEEK, short for Polyetheretherketone. This high-performance plastic handles heat, pressure, and harsh chemicals better than most materials.
Whether you’re designing for aerospace, healthcare, or heavy industry, we help you get it right from the start.
In this article, you’ll learn:
- What makes PEEK so strong and stable
- How it resists heat, chemicals, and wear
- Why it’s trusted in critical industries like aerospace, oil and gas, medical, and electronics
We’ll walk you through how PEEK performs, and why it might be the right choice for your next high-stakes project.
Unmatched Mechanical Strength and Dimensional Stability Under Load
When a part needs to maintain strength and shape, even under stress, PEEK performs reliably.
It is known for its toughness and stiffness, resisting bending, cracking, and wear.
Therefore, it is often used for parts subjected to heavy loads or repeated impacts.
Exceptional Tensile and Flexural Strength
PEEK withstands significant tensile and flexural forces without fracture. Tensile strength indicates its resistance to snapping under tension. Flexural strength indicates its resistance to fracture under bending loads.
This protects parts such as gears, seals, and connectors subjected to daily pressure. They maintain their integrity and function as intended.
Superior Creep Resistance Over Time and Temperature
Creep describes the slow deformation of a material under constant load—especially at high temperatures. Unlike many plastics that can sag or deform, PEEK resists this phenomenon.
Even after long periods under pressure and heat, it maintains its dimensions. This is important in areas like aerospace or oil and gas, where downtime or part failure can result in significant costs.
Maintaining Integrity Against Fatigue and Wear
PEEK also resists fatigue, which results from repeated bending or loading of a part. While metals and weaker plastics may develop cracks, PEEK resists such degradation.
It also exhibits excellent wear resistance, meaning it resists degradation from abrasion or friction. This makes it ideal for moving parts requiring longevity and minimal replacement.
PEEK’s key attributes include its ability to:
- Maintain strength under tension and bending
- Resist slow deformation over time
- Withstand repeated loading without cracking
- Perform reliably in harsh, high-use environments
These properties make it a suitable choice when high reliability is essential.
Extreme Chemical and Hydrolysis Resistance for Harsh Environments
In many industries, parts must withstand exposure to harsh chemicals, steam, or moisture. If the material degrades, the whole system can fail. Consequently, PEEK is often selected when chemical resistance is critical.
Broad-Spectrum Chemical Inertness
PEEK exhibits low reactivity with chemicals. It can handle:
- Strong acids and bases
- Hydrocarbons
- Industrial solvents
This makes it useful in oil and gas, chemical processing, and semiconductor equipment. Even in direct contact with aggressive substances, PEEK maintains its integrity and stability.
Impervious to Hot Water and Steam (Hydrolysis Resistance)
Some plastics absorb water and weaken over time. PEEK, however, resists this. It has low moisture absorption and resists hydrolysis, which is damage caused by water or steam.
This makes it ideal for:
- Steam-sterilized medical devices
- Subsea equipment
- High-humidity or high-pressure environments
PEEK retains its strength and dimensional stability, even after repeated exposure.
Preventing Material Breakdown and Swelling
In harsh conditions, many materials swell, crack, or lose their strength. PEEK resists these effects. Its chemical structure stays intact, meaning parts resist deformation and degradation. This is crucial for parts that must stay reliable in extreme environments over long periods.
PEEK’s advantages in this regard are its capacity to:
- Resist strong chemicals without degradation
- Withstand hot steam and water without damage
- Resist swelling or softening in wet or corrosive settings
These traits make it a suitable selection when parts must endure harsh conditions.
Consistent Performance Across a Wide Thermal Spectrum
Some parts must operate reliably in extremely hot or cold environments over extended periods. PEEK is one of the few materials that can perform across this full temperature range while retaining its strength and dimensional stability.
High Continuous Operating Temperature (Up to 260 °C / 500 °F)
PEEK has a high melting point, allowing it to retain strength in hot conditions. It can operate continuously at temperatures up to 260 degrees Celsius (or 500 degrees Fahrenheit) without softening or degrading.
This makes it a good choice for:
- Engines
- Aerospace systems
- Industrial machines that run hot for long periods
Retaining Properties at Cryogenic Temperatures
On the other end of the spectrum, PEEK also performs well in the cold. Even at cryogenic temperatures—which are below freezing—it retains its toughness and resists embrittlement.
This allows PEEK to be used in:
- Space applications
- Scientific instruments
- Cold storage systems
Low Thermal Expansion and High Thermal Conductivity (for filled grades)
When temperatures fluctuate, some materials expand or shrink. This fluctuation can cause parts to jam or fail. Filled PEEK grades—which include additives like glass or carbon—help control this.
They offer:
- Low thermal expansion, so parts stay the same size
- Improved thermal conductivity, preventing localized heat accumulation
PEEK’s thermal performance is distinguished by its ability to:
- Withstand high heat without loss of strength
- Perform in freezing or cryogenic conditions
- Remain dimensionally stable during temperature fluctuations
Therefore, it is often used in applications involving extreme thermal cycling or conditions.
Proven Reliability and Biocompatibility in Critical Sectors
Failure isn’t an option where reliability matters. PEEK has established a strong reputation. It is trusted not just for its strength, but for its ability to perform safely and reliably in very specific environments.
Track Record in Demanding Industries (Aerospace, Oil & Gas, Automotive)
PEEK is used in fields where conditions are extreme and reliability is crucial. You’ll find it in:
- Aerospace parts like brackets and connectors
- Oil and gas tools like seals and valve components
- Automotive systems, including under-the-hood parts
Its use is due to its ability to maintain strength, withstand heat and chemicals, and retain its shape over time. This means less risk of failure in critical situations.
Biocompatibility and Sterilizability for Medical Implants and Devices
PEEK is also biocompatible, meaning it is suitable for use within the human body. It resists reaction with bodily tissues and degradation over time. Consequently, it is used by doctors and engineers in:
- Spinal cages
- Dental implants
- Surgical instruments
It can be sterilized using steam, gamma rays, or chemicals without degradation of its properties. These characteristics make it ideal for use in hospitals and operating rooms.
Low Outgassing and Purity for Semiconductor and Vacuum Applications
In clean environments, even trace amounts of gas or particulates can be detrimental. PEEK has low outgassing, meaning it releases minimal vapor when heated. It is also very pure, especially when made to high standards.
These qualities make it a suitable choice for:
- Semiconductor manufacturing
- Vacuum chambers
- Space equipment
PEEK is trusted in these sectors because it can:
- Perform effectively in high-risk, high-performance systems
- Maintain safety for medical use and cleanliness post-sterilization
- Meet strict standards for purity in sensitive environments
PEEK has proven its trustworthiness in applications where reliability is paramount.
Conclusion
PEEK is strong, stable, and reliable. It resists heat, chemicals, wear, and pressure. That’s why it’s used in critical parts—from airplanes to implants.
If you’re looking for a material that won’t fail, PEEK is a solid choice.
We’re a team with over 30 years of injection molding experience. We’ve worked with PEEK on some of the most demanding projects. If your design is complex or others say it can’t be done—come to us.
Have a challenging part in mind? Let’s work together to bring it to life—no matter how complex it is.
