Plastic · Material guide
Custom PEEK parts from independent machine shops
PEEK is the high-performance thermoplastic engineers reach for when a part must survive heat, chemicals, and load that would soften common plastics. Upload a drawing and hear back from shops that machine unfilled, glass-filled, and carbon-filled PEEK to tight tolerances.
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PEEK shops on OpenSpindle
Real shops that machine PEEK and other high-performance plastics. See their equipment and talk to the person making your part.
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Grades
PEEK grades shops run most
The filler sets stiffness, wear behavior, and cost. Unfilled is the general-purpose choice; filled grades trade toughness for strength and stability. If yours is not here, ask when you request a quote.
Unfilled PEEK
Natural tan (or black) general-purpose grade with the best toughness and elongation of the family. Machines cleanly and takes the tightest detail. The default unless you need added stiffness or wear resistance.
Best for Seals, insulators, general high-temp and chemical parts
PEEK-GF30
30% glass-fiber reinforced for higher stiffness, better dimensional stability, and improved creep resistance at temperature. Less abrasive on tooling than carbon-filled, but more brittle than unfilled.
Best for Structural parts, fittings, dimensionally stable brackets
PEEK-CF30
30% carbon-fiber reinforced for the highest strength and stiffness in the family, with improved wear and higher thermal conductivity. ESD-safe variants exist for electronics handling.
Best for High-load structural, wear, and static-dissipative parts
PEEK-HPV / bearing grade
Blended with PTFE, graphite, and carbon fiber for low friction and long wear life in dry running or lightly lubricated service. Trades some strength for a slick, self-lubricating surface.
Best for Bushings, bearings, wear pads, valve seats
Medical-grade PEEK
Implantable and biocompatible grades (for example PEEK-OPTIMA) supplied with documentation for surgical and long-term contact use. Sourced and traced separately from industrial stock, so call it out early.
Best for Surgical instruments, spinal and orthopedic implants
Specs
Material properties
Representative values for unfilled PEEK. Filled grades raise stiffness and wear resistance while lowering elongation.
| Property | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Density | ~1.32 g/cm³ (0.048 lb/in³) |
| Tensile strength (unfilled) | ~14 ksi (100 MPa) |
| Max continuous service temp | ~250 °C (480 °F) |
| Glass transition / melt | ~143 °C Tg, ~343 °C melt |
| Coefficient of friction / wear | Low friction, excellent wear (better in bearing grades) |
| Chemical resistance | Outstanding; attacked mainly by concentrated sulfuric acid |
| Moisture absorption | Very low, ~0.1 to 0.5% |
| Machinability | Good, but stress-relieve (anneal) for tight tolerances |
PEEK is one of the most expensive machinable thermoplastics, so most parts are cut from solid rather than molded in low volume. Internal stresses in the stock can cause parts to move as material is removed, which is why annealing before and between machining steps matters on toleranced features.
Stock
Forms we machine it from
Plate & block
Milled housings, insulators, and prismatic parts from solid.
Round bar
Turned seals, bushings, spacers, and fittings.
Sheet
Thinner insulators, gaskets, and flat machined parts.
Processes
Manufacturing methods for peek
The right process depends on part geometry, tolerances, and production volume.
Finishing
Finishes for peek
PEEK almost always ships as-machined; it needs no coating to resist heat, chemicals, or wear. The real decisions are stock color and annealing.
As-machined
The standard. PEEK is chemically and thermally stable on its own, so most parts need no surface treatment. Ships fastest.
Annealing / stress relief
The key process step for tolerance-critical PEEK. A controlled heat cycle relieves internal stresses so parts hold size and flatness after material is removed. Done before and between machining passes on tight features.
Natural (tan) vs black stock
Unfilled PEEK is natural tan; filled and pigmented grades are black. Color is a stock and grade choice, not a coating, so specify it with your grade.
Bead blast
An optional uniform matte texture where a non-glossy machined surface is preferred. Purely cosmetic on PEEK.
PEEK is not plated or anodized. If tolerances are tight, note them clearly so the shop can plan annealing into the process.
Applications
Where peek parts are used
PEEK earns its cost wherever a plastic has to hold up to heat, chemicals, or wear that would destroy commodity grades.
Compare
PEEK vs other materials
How PEEK stacks up against the other machinable plastics and metals shops quote most.
PEEK vs Delrin (acetal)
Delrin (acetal) →- PEEK survives far higher temperatures (~250 °C vs ~90 °C continuous) and much harsher chemicals
- Delrin machines faster, holds tight tolerances easily, and costs a fraction of PEEK
- Both have low friction and good wear, but PEEK keeps its properties under heat and load
Choose Delrin for everyday precision parts at low cost. Choose PEEK when the part sees high temperature, aggressive chemicals, or sustained load.
PEEK vs Nylon
Nylon →- PEEK is far more thermally and chemically stable and absorbs almost no moisture
- Nylon is tougher in impact, cheaper, and easier to source, but swells as it takes on moisture
- Nylon dimensions drift with humidity; PEEK holds size in wet or hot service
Choose nylon for tough, low-cost parts in mild environments. Choose PEEK when dimensional stability, heat, or chemical exposure rule nylon out.
PEEK vs Aluminum
Aluminum →- PEEK is lighter, an electrical insulator, and does not corrode in chemical service
- Aluminum is far stiffer and stronger, conducts heat, and costs much less to machine
- PEEK replaces metal to cut weight, isolate electrically, or remove galvanic and corrosion problems
Choose aluminum for stiffness, strength, and cost. Choose PEEK to lightweight, insulate, or eliminate corrosion where a metal part struggles.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Unfilled PEEK has the best toughness and elongation and machines to the finest detail, so it is the general-purpose choice. PEEK-GF30 adds 30% glass fiber for higher stiffness and dimensional stability with less tool wear than carbon. PEEK-CF30 adds 30% carbon fiber for the highest strength and stiffness plus better wear and thermal conductivity, with ESD-safe variants available.
Get PEEK part quotes
Upload a drawing once and compare quotes from independent shops that machine unfilled, glass-filled, and carbon-filled PEEK.
STEP · STL · IGES · DWG · DXF · PDF · and more
Uploads are secure & confidential