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PEEK-ESD vs PEEK-Medical-Grade

Polymer · grade comparison

PEEK-ESD and PEEK-Medical-Grade are both polymer grades. PEEK-Medical-Grade is the stronger of the two: yield strength 98 MPa (14.2 ksi) against 88 MPa (12.8 ksi) for PEEK-ESD, about 11% more; tensile strength follows at 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) vs 90 MPa (13.1 ksi). PEEK-Medical-Grade is the more ductile: elongation 30% versus 6% for PEEK-ESD. PEEK-Medical-Grade is lighter (1.3 g/cm³ vs 1.42 g/cm³ for PEEK-ESD) and PEEK-ESD is stiffer (4.2 GPa vs 3.8 GPa). On the shop floor, PEEK-Medical-Grade machines more easily (very good vs good) and PEEK-Medical-Grade welds better (good vs fair).

PEEK-Medical-GradeChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

PEEK-ESD vs PEEK-Medical-Grade: properties

PEEK-ESDPEEK-Medical-Grade

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

4.2 GPa0.61 Msi
3.8 GPa0.55 Msi

Shear Modulus

1.5 GPa0.22 Msi
1.4 GPa0.2 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.39
0.4

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

90 MPa13.1 ksi
100 MPa14.5 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

88 MPa12.8 ksi
98 MPa14.2 ksi

Elongation at Break

6%
30%

Compressive Modulus

3.8 GPa0.55 Msi
3.6 GPa0.52 Msi

Flexural Strength

145 MPa21 ksi
165 MPa23.9 ksi

Flexural Modulus

4.3 GPa0.62 Msi
4.1 GPa0.59 Msi

Shear Strength

55 MPa8 ksi
60 MPa8.7 ksi

Izod Impact, Notched

45 J/m0.84 ft·lbf/in
70 J/m1.3 ft·lbf/in

Hardness, Shore D

86 Shore D
85 Shore D

Hardness, Rockwell M

100 HRM
99 HRM

Bulk Modulus

—
4 GPa0.62 Msi

Same in both: Compressive Strength 125 MPa18.1 ksi · Fracture Toughness (K_IC) 4 MPa·√m3.6 ksi·√in · Hardness, Rockwell R 126 HRR

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

1.42 g/cm³0.05 lb/in³
1.3 g/cm³0.05 lb/in³

Same in both: Melting Temperature (Tm) 343°C649 °F · Glass Transition (Tg) 143°C289 °F · Water Absorption (24 h) 0.14% · Water Absorption (Saturation) 0.45%

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

0.42 W/m·K0.24 BTU/hr·ft·°F
0.25 W/m·K0.14 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

45 µm/m·K25 µin/in·°F
47 µm/m·K26.1 µin/in·°F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa

185°C365 °F
315°C599 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa

158°C316 °F
152°C306 °F

Vicat Softening Point (B50)

305°C581 °F
315°C599 °F

Max Service Temperature (short-term)

310°C590 °F
300°C572 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 1,340 J/kg·K0.32 BTU/lb·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 250°C482 °F · Min Service Temperature -60°C-76 °F · Limiting Oxygen Index 35%

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

10,000 Ω·m3.94×10¹¹ µΩ·in
1×10¹⁴ Ω·m3.94×10²¹ µΩ·in

Volume Resistivity

1,000,000 Ω·cm
1×10¹⁶ Ω·cm

Surface Resistivity

1×10⁷ Ω
1×10¹⁵ Ω

Dielectric Strength

—
22 kV/mm559 V/mil

Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)

—
3.2

Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)

—
0.003

Comparative Tracking Index (CTI)

—
150 V

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

92 / 100
95 / 100

UV / Weathering Resistance

70 / 100
35 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

60 / 100
70 / 100

Weldability

40 / 100
60 / 100

Formability (cold)

20 / 100
40 / 100

Polishability

45 / 100
80 / 100

Mold Shrinkage

1.1%
1.2%

Melt Flow Rate

2.5 g/10 min
3.5 g/10 min

Same in both: Processing Melt Temperature (typ.) 380°C716 °F · Mold Temperature (typ.) 190°C374 °F

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

300 MJ/kg128,977 BTU/lb
290 MJ/kg124,678 BTU/lb

Embodied Water

400 L/kg47.9 gal/lb
600 L/kg71.9 gal/lb

Same in both: Embodied Carbon (primary production) 13 kg CO₂/kg · Typical Recycled Content 0%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

63 kN·m/kg
77 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

3 MN·m/kg
2.9 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

922 kJ/m³
1,264 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

0.2 mm²/s
0.1 mm²/s

Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 0

Strength versus weight

Yield strength against density for every polymer grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.

0.1110100123Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scalePEEK-ESDPEEK-Medical-Grade

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityPEEK-ESDPEEK-Medical-Grade
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

PEEK-ESD vs PEEK-Medical-Grade — frequently asked

Is PEEK-Medical-Grade stronger than PEEK-ESD?

Yes. PEEK-Medical-Grade has a typical yield strength of 98 MPa (14.2 ksi) against 88 MPa (12.8 ksi) for PEEK-ESD — about 11% more. Tensile strength is 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) vs 90 MPa (13.1 ksi).

Which is cheaper, PEEK-ESD or PEEK-Medical-Grade?

Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.

Which is easier to machine, PEEK-ESD or PEEK-Medical-Grade?

PEEK-Medical-Grade. Its machinability rates very good (70/100) against good (60/100) for PEEK-ESD; for welding the order is PEEK-Medical-Grade first (good, 60/100) then PEEK-ESD (fair, 40/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in PEEK-ESD and PEEK-Medical-Grade side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.

Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.