Overview
PEEK (polyetheretherketone) is the canonical ultra-high-performance FDM thermoplastic — a semi-crystalline PAEK with continuous service to 240°C (short-term to 310°C, melting at 343°C), intrinsic UL 94 V-0 flammability, and stiffness-to-weight approaching aluminum.
It is essentially insoluble in common solvents and resists hydrocarbon fuels, hydraulic fluids, acids and alkalis, but is also the most demanding conventional FDM polymer to print. Stratasys VICTREX AM™ 200 is AS9100 aerospace-certified, and standard PEEK is ISO 10993 / USP Class VI biocompatible.
Key Properties
Typical datasheet values; printed parts are anisotropic and XY-direction values are shown unless noted.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 1.30 g/cm³ |
| Tensile strength (XZ) | 95–105 MPa |
| Tensile modulus | 3500–4000 MPa |
| Elongation at break | 20–30 % |
| Izod impact (notched) | 60 J/m |
| Glass transition (Tg) | 143–145 °C |
| HDT @ 1.82 MPa | 152 °C (320 °C annealed) |
| Continuous service temp | 240 °C |
Typical Applications
- Aerospace flight-rated brackets and fittings
- Medical implants and sterilisable surgical instruments
- Oil & gas downhole seals and bearings
- Semiconductor wafer carriers and end-effectors
Printing & Handling Notes
Strongly anisotropic and anneal-dependent (post-anneal ≈100 MPa XZ vs ≈60 MPa ZX; HDT @ 1.82 MPa rises from ≈152°C to ≈320°C after annealing). Requires a high-temperature printer (nozzle 350–440°C, active chamber 90–160°C, bed 120–160°C), drying at 120–150°C for 6–12 h, and 200°C annealing to reach datasheet values.
