PEEK and Engineering Plastics
PEEK, PEEK1000, PEI, PI, ESD225, ESD420, and conductive nylon machining for medical, semiconductor, and ESD-sensitive applications.
High-Performance Plastics
| Material | Key Property | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| PEEK | Biocompatible, high temp | Medical, aerospace |
| PEEK1000 | Higher stiffness | Structural, semiconductor |
| PEI (Ultem) | High strength, flame retardant | Aerospace interior |
| PI (Polyimide) | Extreme temperature | Semiconductor, insulation |
| ESD225 / ESD420 | Static dissipative | Semiconductor handling |
Engineering Plastics Quick Reference
Densities (g/cm3) and typical uses from the KGL engineering standard (2022-01-08), p.3-4, with property data cross-checked against the Mechanical Design Handbook 6th ed. Vol. 1, chapter 4 (Plastics and Composites); tensile data follows ASTM D638-class methods. Everything in this table is machinable in our shop; stock depth varies by grade.
| Polymer | Abbr. | Density | Signature trait | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acetal / Delrin | POM | 1.42-1.43 | Low friction, dimensional stability | Gears, guides, insulators |
| POM + 25% glass fiber | POM-GF25 | 1.61 | Stiffness, creep resistance | Structural gear trains |
| Polycarbonate | PC | 1.18-1.20 | Transparent, impact proof | Covers, sight glasses, guards |
| PC + 30% glass fiber | PC-GF30 | 1.43 | Rigid, dimensionally stable | Precision housings |
| ABS | ABS | 1.03-1.06 | Economical, paint friendly | Prototype enclosures, jigs |
| Nylon 6 / 66 | PA6 / PA66 | 1.13-1.15 | Tough, wear resistant | Gears, bushings, rollers |
| PA66 + 30% glass fiber | PA66-GF30 | 1.36 | High stiffness, heat deflection | Load-bearing brackets |
| MC cast nylon | PA+MC | 1.15 | Large sections, low cost | Large gears, wear pads |
| PTFE | PTFE | 2.1-2.2 | Near-zero friction, chemical proof | Seals, insulators, sliding parts |
| Polyester | PBT / PET | 1.31 / 1.60 (GF30) | Electrical stability | Connectors, coil forms |
| Polyphenylene sulfide | PPS | 1.32 | Heat + chemical resistant | Automotive sensors, pump parts |
| Polyetherimide | PEI (Ultem) | 1.27 | High strength, flame retardant | Aerospace interiors |
| Polyimide | PI | 1.42-1.43 | Extreme temperature service | Semiconductor, insulation |
| Polyetheretherketone | PEEK | 1.31-1.32 | 260 C continuous, biocompatible | Medical, aerospace, seals |
Aerospace-Grade Polymer Data (Handbook Table 3.4-55 / 3.4-80)
Typical values from the Mechanical Design Handbook 6th ed. Vol. 1 for the two aviation-critical families we machine most. Yield tensile per ASTM D638-class methods; notched impact per Izod-class methods; heat deflection at 0.45 MPa.
| Grade | Density g/cm3 | Yield tensile MPa | Notched impact J/m2 | HDT 0.45 MPa C | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ultem 1000 (PEI) | 1.27 | 104.8 | 53.3 | 210 | General purpose, flame V-0/5V |
| Ultem 1010 | 1.27 | 104.8 | 32.0 | 207 | High-flow, V-0 |
| Ultem 9075 class | - | 94.4 | 106.6 | 190 | Aviation, low smoke, chemical resistant |
| Ultem CRS5311 | 1.52 | 165.4 | 80.0 | 217 | 30% glass fiber, aviation |
| PPS unfilled | 1.30-1.32 | 65.5 | < 26.6 | - | Base resin, -50 to 250 C service |
| PPS 40% GF | 1.60-1.67 | 120.6-190.9 | 58.6-100.8 | 251-265 | Structural, gears and pump parts |
Detail pages: PEI (Ultem) machining and PPS machining.
Machining Polymers to Metal-Part Tolerances
High-performance polymers behave nothing like metal on the machine. PEI creeps under clamping force and melts if you cut too fast. We machine these materials with custom diamond-coated tooling, light low-speed cuts, compressed cold air cooling, conformal flexible fixtures, and a roughing-plus-24-hour-aging-plus-finishing route that lets residual stress leave the part before final dimensions are cut.
The benchmark result: PEI aerospace parts held to ±0.02 mm with surface finish below Ra 0.8, replacing both 3D printing and injection molding. Details in the PEI aerospace case study.
Typical Parts
Explore All Material Families
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Questions buyers ask
What tolerance can you hold on PEEK and PEI?
The shop standard is +/-0.005 mm on metals and engineering plastics. On the PEI aerospace program we held +/-0.02 mm overall with Ra 0.8 or better; critical bores and seats landed closer to +/-0.01 mm. Plastic parts are roughed, aged 24 hours, then finish machined so dimensions stay put.
Do you provide material certificates for plastics?
Yes. Stock comes lot-traceable from established polymer distributors, and every shipment includes the material certificate plus our incoming inspection record. RoHS and REACH declarations are available.
Can you machine ESD-safe grades?
Yes: ESD225, ESD420 and conductive nylon for semiconductor handling and fixtures. Surface resistance is verified per batch and noted on the inspection report.