PEEK Plastic Weight Calculator
Calculate PEEK sheet, rod, and tube weight — unfilled, carbon-filled, glass-filled, and bearing grade
PEEK Weight Calculator
Calculation Results
Grade Quick Reference
Formula Used
PEEK Grade Specifications
Density values per ASTM D792 / ISO 1183, referenced against ASTM D6262 (PEEK material specification). Tensile strength per ASTM D638. Maximum service temperature for continuous use in air.
| Grade | Density (g/cm³) | Tensile Strength | Elongation at Break | Max Temp | Rockwell Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unfilled PEEK — General Purpose | 1.30–1.32 | 100 MPa | 30–50% | 250°C / 482°F | M99 |
| 30% Carbon-Filled PEEK | 1.44 | 170 MPa | 1–2% | 250°C / 482°F | M103 |
| 30% Glass-Filled PEEK | 1.51 | 170–200 MPa | 1–3% | 260°C / 500°F | M105 |
| PEEK-HPV — Bearing Grade | 1.40 | 90–100 MPa | 1–3% | 250°C / 482°F | M95 |
Standards: ASTM D6262 (PEEK material specification). Density per ASTM D792 / ISO 1183. Tensile strength per ASTM D638. Elongation at break per ASTM D638. Rockwell hardness per ASTM D785. Continuous service temperature in air — consult manufacturer data for specific load conditions.
Which PEEK Grade Should You Use?
PEEK grades share the same base polymer but differ significantly in density, mechanical properties, and application suitability. Unlike commodity plastics, grade selection drives meaningful differences in both weight and performance — a 30% glass-filled part will weigh roughly 14% more than the same geometry in unfilled PEEK.
Unfilled PEEK — General Purpose
The baseline PEEK grade — natural tan/beige color, fully biocompatible in ISO 10993-tested forms, and the easiest to machine. Suitable for precision machined components where temperature resistance and chemical inertness matter and cost can be justified over nylon or Delrin.
- Density: 1.30–1.32 g/cm³
- Best choice for: medical implants, spinal cages, aerospace brackets, semiconductor fixtures
- ISO 10993 / USP Class VI compatible grades available
30% Carbon-Filled PEEK
Short carbon fiber reinforcement increases flexural modulus and reduces the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) significantly below unfilled PEEK. The carbon content makes this grade electrically conductive and ESD-safe — critical for wafer handling and semiconductor processing equipment. Parts will be noticeably stiffer and more dimensionally stable under thermal cycling.
- Density: 1.44 g/cm³ — 9% heavier than unfilled PEEK
- Best choice for: semiconductor equipment, structural aerospace parts, ESD-sensitive applications
- Electrically conductive — not suitable where insulation is required
30% Glass-Filled PEEK
30% short glass fiber reinforcement delivers the highest tensile strength of all common PEEK grades (170–200 MPa) and raises the deflection temperature under load (DTUL). Electrically insulating unlike carbon-filled grades. The densest common PEEK grade at 1.51 g/cm³ — structural parts will be approximately 14% heavier than the same geometry in unfilled PEEK.
- Density: 1.51 g/cm³ — heaviest common PEEK grade
- Best choice for: high-load structural brackets, pump components, valve seats under high pressure
- Electrically insulating — carbide tooling required for machining
PEEK-HPV — Bearing Grade
A proprietary blend of carbon fiber, PTFE, and graphite specifically engineered to minimize friction and wear against metal mating surfaces. Eliminates the need for external lubrication in many applications. Lower tensile strength than structural grades but dramatically lower PV limit and coefficient of friction. The preferred choice for high-speed or oscillating bearing and wear pad applications at elevated temperatures.
- Density: 1.40 g/cm³ — between unfilled and carbon-filled
- Best choice for: bearings, thrust washers, wear pads, bushings in oil-free environments
- Self-lubricating — reduces friction against steel, aluminum, and ceramic counterfaces
Standard Stock Sizes
Common stock dimensions for PEEK sheet, rod, and tube. PEEK stock is produced in smaller standard sizes than commodity plastics — confirm availability with your distributor before designing to a specific size.
S Sheet Stock
Standard sheet size: 24" × 48" (610 × 1220 mm). Available thicknesses (metric):
Imperial equivalents (approx): 0.118", 0.157", 0.236", 0.315", 0.394", 0.472", 0.591", 0.787", 0.984", 1.181", 1.969"
R Rod Stock
Standard rod length: 1000 mm (39") or custom cut. Available diameters:
Imperial equivalents (approx): 3/8", 1/2", 5/8", 3/4", 1", 1-1/4", 1-1/2", 2", 2-1/2", 3", 4"
T Tube Stock
PEEK tube is less commonly stocked than rod or sheet. Common OD × wall thickness combinations:
Many PEEK tube applications are machined from rod stock — confirm tube availability with your supplier before specifying.
PEEK Applications
PEEK is specified where other engineering plastics fail — extreme temperatures, aggressive chemicals, sterilization environments, and applications where weight savings over metal are critical. It is the premium engineering thermoplastic for demanding service conditions.
Aerospace Structural Components
- Structural brackets and clips replacing aluminum
- Bushings and wear pads in landing gear assemblies
- Fluid handling manifolds and valve bodies
- Electrical connectors and cable management clips
- Interior cabin components requiring FAR 25.853 compliance
Medical Implants & Devices
- Spinal cages and intervertebral implants
- Orthopedic trauma fixation plates
- Dental frameworks and abutments
- Surgical instrument handles (autoclavable)
- Drug delivery device components
Semiconductor Equipment
- Wafer carriers and end effectors
- Plasma etch chamber components
- Chemical bath fixtures and carriers
- ESD-safe fixtures (carbon-filled PEEK)
- High-purity fluid handling components
Oil & Gas Seals and Valves
- Downhole tool bushings and wear rings
- Valve seats and seals in sour gas service
- Pump impellers and wear plates
- High-pressure connector components
- Compressor wear rings and piston rings
PEEK vs Nylon: High-Temperature Performance
Nylon and PEEK are both precision-machinable semi-crystalline engineering thermoplastics, but they operate in fundamentally different temperature and chemical exposure regimes. For most ambient-temperature applications, nylon wins on cost. When temperature exceeds 120°C or chemical resistance is critical, PEEK becomes the correct specification.
| Property | PEEK (Unfilled) | Nylon 6/6 |
|---|---|---|
| Density (g/cm³) | 1.32 | 1.14 |
| Tensile Strength | 100 MPa | 80–85 MPa |
| Max Continuous Service Temp | 250°C / 482°F | 120°C / 248°F |
| Moisture Absorption | Very Low (<0.5%) | High (8–9%) |
| Chemical Resistance | Excellent | Moderate |
| Hydrolysis Resistance | Excellent (steam-rated) | Poor |
| Biocompatibility | ISO 10993 / USP Class VI | Selected grades only |
| Relative Cost | Very High (10–30× nylon) | Low |
Choose PEEK when:
- Operating temperature exceeds 120°C
- Steam sterilization or autoclave cycles are required
- Aggressive chemicals or solvents are present
- Biocompatibility or implant certification is required
- Dimensional stability in wet or humid environments is critical
Choose Nylon when:
- Cost is a primary constraint
- Operating conditions are ambient temperature and dry
- Lightweight machined gears, cams, or bushings at moderate load
- General purpose bearing and wear applications below 100°C
Need nylon weight? Use our Nylon Weight Calculator.
Machining PEEK
Unfilled PEEK machines well on conventional CNC equipment — it produces clean chips and holds tight tolerances. The critical difference from softer engineering plastics is that PEEK requires sharp tooling and proper chip evacuation to prevent surface heat buildup. Filled grades require carbide tooling due to their abrasive reinforcement content.
Best Practices
- Sharp carbide tooling — HSS works for unfilled PEEK; carbide is required for glass and carbon-filled grades
- No coolant needed for unfilled PEEK — air blast is generally sufficient; PEEK has low thermal conductivity so chips carry heat away effectively
- High surface speeds — 200–400 m/min for turning unfilled PEEK with carbide; reduces built-up edge and improves surface finish
- Pre-dry stock before close-tolerance machining — PEEK absorbs minimal moisture, but drying at 150°C for 3–4 hours eliminates any dimensional variability
- Stress relief after rough machining — anneal at 200°C for 4 hours to relieve internal stress before finish cuts on tight-tolerance parts
What to Avoid
- Avoid dull tooling — PEEK is hard (M99 Rockwell M) and will burnish rather than cut with worn tools, raising surface temperature and degrading the polymer
- Do not flood cool glass-filled PEEK — thermal shock from aggressive coolant on a hot workpiece can cause micro-cracking in filled grades
- Avoid halogenated solvents for cleaning — PEEK is resistant to most chemicals, but concentrated sulfuric acid and some halogenated compounds will attack it
- Do not machine carbon-filled PEEK with HSS — carbon fiber reinforcement is highly abrasive and will destroy HSS tooling within minutes
- Avoid using PEEK as a thermal insulator in coolant lines — PEEK has low thermal conductivity but is not rated for all aggressive fluid chemistries without grade verification
Standards & Certifications
PEEK carries a broader certification portfolio than almost any other engineering thermoplastic, spanning aerospace, medical, pharmaceutical, and semiconductor applications — each governed by different standards bodies.
ASTM D6262
Standard specification for polyarylene ether ketone (PAEK) plastics, covering PEEK and related polymers. Establishes material classification by reinforcement type and filler content. The primary reference specification for engineering PEEK rod, sheet, and tube stock.
ISO 10993 & USP Class VI
Unfilled natural PEEK can be certified to ISO 10993 (biological evaluation of medical devices) for implantable applications including spinal and orthopedic implants. USP Class VI certification covers pharmaceutical contact. Grade-specific certification documentation must be obtained from the material supplier — not all PEEK stock carries these certifications by default.
Additional Approvals
Selected PEEK grades carry FDA 21 CFR compliance for food contact, NORSOK M-710 qualification for oil and gas downhole service, and compliance to AS9100 quality management requirements for aerospace supply chains. RoHS and REACH compliance applies to standard unfilled and filled grades without restricted substance additives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the density of PEEK plastic?
Unfilled PEEK density is 1.30–1.32 g/cm³, with 1.32 g/cm³ used as the nominal value for most weight calculations per ASTM D6262. Filled grades are significantly denser: 30% Carbon-Filled PEEK is 1.44 g/cm³, 30% Glass-Filled PEEK is 1.51 g/cm³, and PEEK-HPV bearing grade is 1.40 g/cm³. All PEEK grades are denser than nylon (1.14 g/cm³) but lighter than aluminum (2.70 g/cm³).
How do I calculate PEEK material weight?
PEEK weight = Length (mm) × Width (mm) × Thickness (mm) ÷ 1000 × Density (g/cm³) for sheet; π × (D ÷ 2)² × L (mm) ÷ 1000 × Density for rod. For a 50 mm diameter × 1000 mm unfilled PEEK rod (1.32 g/cm³): π × 25² × 1000 ÷ 1000 × 1.32 = 1,963.5 × 1.32 = 2,592 g (2.592 kg). Select your PEEK grade and shape in the calculator above and enter dimensions in metric (mm) or imperial (inches) for instant results.
What is the maximum service temperature of PEEK?
Unfilled PEEK has a continuous service temperature of 250°C (482°F) in air, with short-term peaks to 300°C. Glass-filled PEEK raises the deflection temperature under load (DTUL) to over 300°C. PEEK can withstand repeated steam sterilization at 134°C without degradation — a capability that disqualifies most other engineering thermoplastics. This makes PEEK the go-to material when nylon (120°C), Delrin (90°C), and polycarbonate (125°C) are insufficient.
Is PEEK food safe and medical safe?
Unfilled natural PEEK can be certified to ISO 10993 for biocompatibility and implantable medical device applications, including spinal implants and orthopedic components. USP Class VI certification covers pharmaceutical and medical device contact applications. Selected grades are also FDA 21 CFR compliant for food contact. Importantly, these certifications are grade-specific — filled grades (carbon, glass, PTFE blends) must be individually evaluated. Always request the material supplier's certification documentation for regulated applications.
How does PEEK compare to Delrin (acetal)?
PEEK and Delrin (POM acetal) are both semi-crystalline, precision-machinable thermoplastics, but they serve very different operating envelopes. Delrin maximum continuous service temperature is 90°C vs 250°C for PEEK. PEEK resists hydrolysis and repeated steam sterilization — Delrin degrades in hot water and cannot be autoclaved. PEEK withstands most aggressive organic solvents and acids that attack Delrin. The cost difference is substantial: PEEK rod is typically 10–20× the price of equivalent Delrin stock. Use Delrin for cost-sensitive, ambient-temperature precision parts. Specify PEEK only when temperature, chemical, or biocompatibility requirements cannot be met by acetal.
What is the difference between carbon-filled and glass-filled PEEK?
30% Carbon-Filled PEEK (1.44 g/cm³) provides improved flexural modulus, a lower coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), and electrical conductivity — making it valuable for semiconductor equipment where ESD control is required and structural components that must remain dimensionally stable across temperature cycles. 30% Glass-Filled PEEK (1.51 g/cm³) achieves the highest tensile strength (170–200 MPa) and deflection temperature under load among common grades, while remaining electrically insulating. Glass-filled parts will weigh approximately 5% more than carbon-filled parts at the same volume. Both grades require carbide tooling for machining.