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PEEK-GF30 vs PEEK-Medical-Grade

Polymer · grade comparison

PEEK-GF30 and PEEK-Medical-Grade are both polymer grades. PEEK-GF30 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 165 MPa (23.9 ksi) against 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) for PEEK-Medical-Grade, about 65% more. In exchange, PEEK-Medical-Grade is the more ductile: elongation 30% versus 2.5% for PEEK-GF30. PEEK-Medical-Grade is lighter (1.3 g/cm³ vs 1.51 g/cm³ for PEEK-GF30) and PEEK-GF30 is stiffer (10 GPa vs 3.8 GPa). On the shop floor, PEEK-Medical-Grade machines more easily (very good vs fair) and PEEK-Medical-Grade welds better (good vs fair).

PEEK-GF30Choose it when strength drives the design.

PEEK-Medical-GradeChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.

PEEK-GF30 vs PEEK-Medical-Grade: properties

PEEK-GF30PEEK-Medical-Grade

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

10 GPa1.5 Msi
3.8 GPa0.55 Msi

Shear Modulus

3.6 GPa0.52 Msi
1.4 GPa0.2 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.38
0.4

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

165 MPa23.9 ksi
100 MPa14.5 ksi

Elongation at Break

2.5%
30%

Compressive Strength

210 MPa30.5 ksi
125 MPa18.1 ksi

Compressive Modulus

8 GPa1.2 Msi
3.6 GPa0.52 Msi

Flexural Strength

235 MPa34.1 ksi
165 MPa23.9 ksi

Flexural Modulus

9.7 GPa1.4 Msi
4.1 GPa0.59 Msi

Shear Strength

100 MPa14.5 ksi
60 MPa8.7 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

5 MPa·√m4.6 ksi·√in
4 MPa·√m3.6 ksi·√in

Izod Impact, Notched

95 J/m1.8 ft·lbf/in
70 J/m1.3 ft·lbf/in

Hardness, Shore D

88 Shore D
85 Shore D

Hardness, Rockwell M

102 HRM
99 HRM

Bulk Modulus

—
4 GPa0.62 Msi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

—
98 MPa14.2 ksi

Hardness, Rockwell R

—
126 HRR

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Water Absorption (24 h)

0.11%
0.14%

Water Absorption (Saturation)

0.4%
0.45%

Same in both: Melting Temperature (Tm) 343°C649 °F · Glass Transition (Tg) 143°C289 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

0.43 W/m·K0.25 BTU/hr·ft·°F
0.25 W/m·K0.14 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

1,050 J/kg·K0.25 BTU/lb·°F
1,340 J/kg·K0.32 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

20 µm/m·K11.1 µin/in·°F
47 µm/m·K26.1 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

260°C500 °F
250°C482 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa

340°C644 °F
315°C599 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa

315°C599 °F
152°C306 °F

Vicat Softening Point (B50)

330°C626 °F
315°C599 °F

Limiting Oxygen Index

38%
35%

Max Service Temperature (short-term)

310°C590 °F
300°C572 °F

Same in both: Min Service Temperature -60°C-76 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Dielectric Strength

19 kV/mm483 V/mil
22 kV/mm559 V/mil

Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)

3.8
3.2

Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)

0.005
0.003

Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m3.94×10²¹ µΩ·in · Volume Resistivity 1×10¹⁶ Ω·cm · Surface Resistivity 1×10¹⁵ Ω · Comparative Tracking Index (CTI) 150 V

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

93 / 100
95 / 100

UV / Weathering Resistance

40 / 100
35 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

45 / 100
70 / 100

Weldability

35 / 100
60 / 100

Formability (cold)

10 / 100
40 / 100

Polishability

30 / 100
80 / 100

Mold Shrinkage

0.3%
1.2%

Melt Flow Rate

4 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)

260 MJ/kg111,780 BTU/lb
290 MJ/kg124,678 BTU/lb

Embodied Water

300 L/kg35.9 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)

109 kN·m/kg
77 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

6.6 MN·m/kg
2.9 MN·m/kg

Thermal Diffusivity

0.3 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-Medical-Grade

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityPEEK-GF30PEEK-Medical-Grade
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

PEEK-GF30 vs PEEK-Medical-Grade — frequently asked

Is PEEK-GF30 stronger than PEEK-Medical-Grade?

Yes. PEEK-GF30 has a typical tensile strength of 165 MPa (23.9 ksi) against 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) for PEEK-Medical-Grade — about 65% more.

Which is cheaper, PEEK-GF30 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-GF30 or PEEK-Medical-Grade?

PEEK-Medical-Grade. Its machinability rates very good (70/100) against fair (45/100) for PEEK-GF30; for welding the order is PEEK-Medical-Grade first (good, 60/100) then PEEK-GF30 (fair, 35/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in PEEK-GF30 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.