PEEK-Bearing-Grade CA30
Reinforced grade
also Ketron HPV / Victrex 450FC30
CA30 = 30% carbon fibre reinforced wear grade
Pick when load capacity, creep resistance and stiffness dominate over lowest friction — e.g. high-PV bushings, back-up rings and structural wear pads.
Values for the CA30 condition
Other PEEK-Bearing-Grade grades and fills
PEEK-Bearing-Grade is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at PEEK-Bearing-Grade.
Compare all 5 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PTFE-lubricated PEEK | Use where low friction is needed but the part must stay electrically insulating and non-abrasive to soft mating surfaces (aluminium, soft steel, food/medical contact variants). | — | 78 | 10 | 92 HRM |
GL | Pick for vacuum, high-temperature or dry-gas service where PTFE outgassing or creep is unacceptable but a solid lubricant film is still required. | — | 95 | 4 | 98 HRM |
ESD / conductive bearing grade | Choose for wafer-handling, fuel-system and explosive-atmosphere wear parts where static must be dissipated (surface resistivity 10^4–10^6 Ω) while running dry. | 105 | 110 | 2.5 | 86 Shore D |
FC30Default 10% carbon fibre / 10% PTFE / 10% graphite bearing compound | Standard injection-moulding bearing/wear compound; pick for dry-running bushings, seals and thrust washers needing the lowest friction and highest PV. | — | 130 | 2.5 | 100 HRM |
CA30This page 30% carbon fibre reinforced wear grade | Pick when load capacity, creep resistance and stiffness dominate over lowest friction — e.g. high-PV bushings, back-up rings and structural wear pads. | — | 200 | 1.8 | 102 HRM |
What is PEEK-Bearing-Grade CA30?
PEEK-Bearing-Grade CA30 is PEEK-Bearing-Grade in the CA30 grade — pick when load capacity, creep resistance and stiffness dominate over lowest friction — e.g. high-PV bushings, back-up rings and structural wear pads. PEEK-Bearing-Grade CA30 has a yield strength of 115 MPa (16.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) — stronger than 99% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 1.8% and the elastic modulus is 18 GPa (2.61 Msi). PEEK-Bearing-Grade CA30 has a density of 1.41 g/cm³ (0.0509 lb/in³), heavier than 81% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 150°C (302 °F). FC30 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; CA30 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 0.9 W/m·K (0.52 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 100% of polymer grades
- High strength — 115 MPa (16.7 ksi), better than 99% of polymer grades
- Stiff — 18 GPa (2.61 Msi), better than 99% of polymer grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 95/100, better than 97% of polymer grades
- High service temperature — 250°C (482 °F), better than 94% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 1.8%, worse than 97% of polymer grades
- High embodied carbon — 13 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 93% of polymer grades
- Limited formability — 10/100, worse than 87% of polymer grades
- Heavy — 1.41 g/cm³ (0.0509 lb/in³), worse than 81% of polymer grades
- Difficult to machine — 45/100, worse than 78% of polymer grades
PEEK-Bearing-Grade CA30 properties
Typical room-temperature values for PEEK-Bearing-Grade CA30; 13 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are PEEK-Bearing-Grade reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical5
PEEK-Bearing-Grade CA30 has a density of 1.41 g/cm³ (0.0509 lb/in³), heavier than 81% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 150°C (302 °F).
Mechanical15
PEEK-Bearing-Grade CA30 has a yield strength of 115 MPa (16.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) — stronger than 99% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 1.8% and the elastic modulus is 18 GPa (2.61 Msi).
Thermal11
PEEK-Bearing-Grade CA30 is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 0.9 W/m·K (0.52 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 100% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 15 µm/m·K (8.33 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
PEEK-Bearing-Grade CA30 has an electrical resistivity of 1,000 Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (95/100), better than 97% of polymer grades. UV resistance is very good.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PEEK-Bearing-Grade CA30 takes about 300 MJ of energy and emits 13 kg of CO₂ — more than 97% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability8
PEEK-Bearing-Grade CA30's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 78% of polymer grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability not recommended (10/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with PEEK-Bearing-Grade CA30
Is PEEK-Bearing-Grade easy to machine?
Machines cleanly but the carbon fibre and graphite are highly abrasive — use PCD or fine-grain carbide, sharp positive rake, high speed with light feed and air/mist cooling; stress-relieve at ~200 °C before finish cuts on thick sections.
Can PEEK-Bearing-Grade be welded?
Effectively non-weldable: the PTFE-rich surface prevents ultrasonic, hot-plate and laser fusion; join by threads, press fits, snaps or high-temperature adhesives after plasma/etch surface activation.
Can PEEK-Bearing-Grade be formed, bent or molded?
Injection mould at 370–390 °C melt with 180–200 °C mould and hot runners; dry 3 h at 150 °C, avoid sharp gates that break fibre, and expect anisotropic shrinkage (≈0.2% flow / 0.6% cross-flow).
What surface finishes work on PEEK-Bearing-Grade?
Ships as an opaque black self-lubricating part; no plating or paint adheres reliably — deburr and finish-turn to Ra 0.2–0.8 µm, and machine the counterface to Ra ≤0.4 µm to develop the transfer film.
PEEK-Bearing-Grade chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| carbon fibershort PAN-based fibre, load carrying + thermal conduction | 8 – 12 | 10 |
| PTFEtransfer-film former, lowers coefficient of friction | 8 – 12 | 10 |
| graphitesolid lubricant, improves wear at high PV | 8 – 12 | 10 |
| polyetheretherketone (PEEK) matrixunfilled base resin, e.g. Victrex 450G viscosity grade | ≥ 65 (balance) | — |
PEEK-Bearing-Grade CA30 — frequently asked
What is PEEK-Bearing-Grade CA30 used for?
PEEK-Bearing-Grade CA30 is typically used for plain bearings, bushings, thrust washers, seal rings and compressor components. In short: self-lubricating PEEK compound; lowest friction in family; no external lubrication needed.
What is the yield strength of PEEK-Bearing-Grade CA30?
PEEK-Bearing-Grade CA30 has a typical yield strength of 115 MPa (16.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) — stronger than 99% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is PEEK-Bearing-Grade CA30 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 78% of polymer grades). Machines cleanly but the carbon fibre and graphite are highly abrasive — use PCD or fine-grain carbide, sharp positive rake, high speed with light feed and air/mist cooling; stress-relieve at ~200 °C before finish cuts on thick sections.
Can PEEK-Bearing-Grade CA30 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Effectively non-weldable: the PTFE-rich surface prevents ultrasonic, hot-plate and laser fusion; join by threads, press fits, snaps or high-temperature adhesives after plasma/etch surface activation.
What surface finishes work on PEEK-Bearing-Grade CA30?
Ships as an opaque black self-lubricating part; no plating or paint adheres reliably — deburr and finish-turn to Ra 0.2–0.8 µm, and machine the counterface to Ra ≤0.4 µm to develop the transfer film.
Can PEEK-Bearing-Grade CA30 be formed, bent or molded?
Injection mould at 370–390 °C melt with 180–200 °C mould and hot runners; dry 3 h at 150 °C, avoid sharp gates that break fibre, and expect anisotropic shrinkage (≈0.2% flow / 0.6% cross-flow).
What is the maximum service temperature of PEEK-Bearing-Grade CA30?
PEEK-Bearing-Grade CA30 is rated for continuous use to about 250°C (482 °F), and briefly to 310°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between PEEK-Bearing-Grade FC30 and PEEK-Bearing-Grade ESD?
FC30 is the default condition — standard injection-moulding bearing/wear compound; pick for dry-running bushings, seals and thrust washers needing the lowest friction and highest PV. ESD: choose for wafer-handling, fuel-system and explosive-atmosphere wear parts where static must be dissipated (surface resistivity 10^4–10^6 Ω) while running dry. Yield strength is 115 MPa in FC30 versus 105 MPa in ESD.
Sources
- VICTREX PEEK 450FC30 product data — Victrex plc (2023)
- Ketron PEEK-HPV / PEEK-CA30 stock shape data — Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials (Quadrant) (2022)
- TECAPEEK PVX / TECAPEEK CF30 datasheets — Ensinger GmbH (2023)
- CAMPUS plastics database — PAEK bearing compounds — CWFG / CAMPUS consortium (2024)
- ISO 527 / ISO 178 / ISO 75 test methods referenced in PEEK datasheets — ISO (2019)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol.2 — Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.