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PEEK-Medical-Grade HA vs PEEK-Medical-Grade ST

Polymer · PEEK-Medical-Grade grade comparison

PEEK-Medical-Grade HA and PEEK-Medical-Grade ST are two grades of the same polymer grade, PEEK-Medical-Grade: HA (hA-enhanced) versus ST (solution annealed). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. PEEK-Medical-Grade ST is the stronger of the two: yield strength 98 MPa (14.2 ksi) against 83 MPa (12 ksi) for PEEK-Medical-Grade HA, about 18% more; tensile strength follows at 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) vs 85 MPa (12.3 ksi). PEEK-Medical-Grade ST is the more ductile: elongation 30% versus 7% for PEEK-Medical-Grade HA. PEEK-Medical-Grade ST is lighter (1.3 g/cm³ vs 1.45 g/cm³ for PEEK-Medical-Grade HA) and PEEK-Medical-Grade HA is stiffer (5 GPa vs 3.8 GPa). On the shop floor, PEEK-Medical-Grade ST machines more easily (very good vs good) and PEEK-Medical-Grade ST welds better (good vs fair).

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

PEEK-Medical-Grade HA vs PEEK-Medical-Grade ST: properties

PEEK-Medical-Grade HAPEEK-Medical-Grade ST

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

5 GPa0.73 Msi
3.8 GPa0.55 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

85 MPa12.3 ksi
100 MPa14.5 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

83 MPa12 ksi
98 MPa14.2 ksi

Elongation at Break

7%
30%

Compressive Strength

135 MPa19.6 ksi
125 MPa18.1 ksi

Flexural Strength

150 MPa21.8 ksi
165 MPa23.9 ksi

Flexural Modulus

5.2 GPa0.75 Msi
4.1 GPa0.59 Msi

Shear Strength

55 MPa8 ksi
60 MPa8.7 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

2.6 MPa·√m2.4 ksi·√in
4 MPa·√m3.6 ksi·√in

Izod Impact, Notched

35 J/m0.66 ft·lbf/in
70 J/m1.3 ft·lbf/in

Hardness, Shore D

87 Shore D
85 Shore D

Hardness, Rockwell M

102 HRM
99 HRM

Hardness, Rockwell R

127 HRR
126 HRR

Same in both: Shear Modulus 1.4 GPa0.2 Msi · Bulk Modulus 4 GPa0.62 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.4 · Compressive Modulus 3.6 GPa0.52 Msi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

1.45 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

0.32 W/m·K0.18 BTU/hr·ft·°F
0.25 W/m·K0.14 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa

315°C599 °F
160°C320 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa

165°C329 °F
152°C306 °F

Vicat Softening Point (B50)

315°C599 °F
162°C324 °F

Limiting Oxygen Index

38%
35%

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 1,340 J/kg·K0.32 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 47 µm/m·K26.1 µin/in·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 250°C482 °F · Min Service Temperature -60°C-76 °F · Max Service Temperature (short-term) 300°C572 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

1×10¹³ Ω·m3.94×10²⁰ µΩ·in
1×10¹⁴ Ω·m3.94×10²¹ µΩ·in

Same in both: Dielectric Strength 22 kV/mm559 V/mil · Dielectric Constant (1 MHz) 3.2 · Dissipation Factor (1 MHz) 0.003 · 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

Same in both: UV / Weathering Resistance 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)

15 / 100
30 / 100

Mold Shrinkage

1%
1.2%

Melt Flow Rate

3 g/10 min
3.5 g/10 min

Same in both: Polishability 80 / 100 · Processing Melt Temperature (typ.) 380°C716 °F · Mold Temperature (typ.) 190°C374 °F

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 290 MJ/kg124,678 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 13 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 600 L/kg71.9 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 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

PEEK-Medical-Grade HA vs PEEK-Medical-Grade ST — frequently asked

Is PEEK-Medical-Grade ST stronger than PEEK-Medical-Grade HA?

Yes. PEEK-Medical-Grade ST has a typical yield strength of 98 MPa (14.2 ksi) against 83 MPa (12 ksi) for PEEK-Medical-Grade HA — about 18% more. Tensile strength is 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) vs 85 MPa (12.3 ksi).

Which grade does FabDigit quote by default, HA or ST?

Specify the condition in the material field or the drawing note; FabDigit prices the quote for the state you call out.

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

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

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in PEEK-Medical-Grade HA and PEEK-Medical-Grade ST 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.