PEKK 6000
Grade
also Kepstan
6000 = kepstan 6000-type
Pick when the widest processing window and lowest melt temperature are needed (powder bed fusion, composite prepreg, coatings).
Values for the 6000 condition
Other PEKK grades and fills
PEKK is listed in 8 conditions; see the grade overview at PEKK.
Compare all 8 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SLS powder | — | — | 71 | 1.2 | — |
ESD / static-dissipative | Use for satellite, fuel-system and electronics-handling parts requiring controlled surface resistivity without sacrificing PEKK's heat and FST behaviour. | 85 | 87 | 2.5 | 87 Shore D |
FFF/FDM filament grade | Pick when quoting as-printed extruded parts; expect strong anisotropy with Z-direction roughly 60–70 % of in-plane strength. | 90 | 93 | 4 | 86 Shore D |
6000This page Kepstan 6000-type | Pick when the widest processing window and lowest melt temperature are needed (powder bed fusion, composite prepreg, coatings). | 100 | 100 | 25 | 85 Shore D |
Kepstan 7000-type | General-purpose balance of crystallisation rate, heat performance and processability; typical basis for filament and injection grades. | 100 | 100 | 15 | 86 Shore D |
Kepstan 8000-type | Use only when maximum crystallinity, chemical resistance and short-term temperature capability justify the very narrow 400 °C+ processing window. | 105 | 105 | 8 | 87 Shore D |
Carbon-fiber reinforced | Use where maximum stiffness, dimensional stability and low CTE are needed (aerospace brackets, tooling); sacrifices ductility and abrades tooling. | — | 145 | 2 | — |
30 % glass-fiber reinforced | Pick for stiff, creep-resistant, electrically insulating parts at elevated temperature at lower cost than carbon fiber. | — | 160 | 2.5 | — |
What is PEKK 6000?
PEKK 6000 is PEKK in the 6000 grade — pick when the widest processing window and lowest melt temperature are needed (powder bed fusion, composite prepreg, coatings). PEKK 6000 has a yield strength of 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) — stronger than 95% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 3.7 GPa (0.537 Msi). PEKK 6000 has a density of 1.3 g/cm³ (0.047 lb/in³), heavier than 69% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 162°C (324 °F).
Advantages
- High strength — 100 MPa (14.5 ksi), better than 95% of polymer grades
- High service temperature — 230°C (446 °F), better than 91% of polymer grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 92/100, better than 91% of polymer grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 3.8 MPa·√m (3.46 ksi·√in), better than 89% of polymer grades
- Stiff — 3.7 GPa (0.537 Msi), better than 84% of polymer grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 18 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 99% of polymer grades
PEKK 6000 properties
Typical room-temperature values for PEKK 6000; 28 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are PEKK reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical5
PEKK 6000 has a density of 1.3 g/cm³ (0.047 lb/in³), heavier than 69% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 162°C (324 °F).
Mechanical16
PEKK 6000 has a yield strength of 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) — stronger than 95% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 3.7 GPa (0.537 Msi).
Thermal10
PEKK 6000 is rated for continuous service to 230°C (446 °F). It conducts heat at 0.25 W/m·K (0.144 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 72% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 48 µm/m·K (26.7 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
PEKK 6000 is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 22 kV/mm (558.8 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (92/100), better than 91% of polymer grades. UV resistance is fair.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PEKK 6000 takes about 330 MJ of energy and emits 18 kg of CO₂ — more than 99% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability7
PEKK 6000's machinability is very good (70/100, better than 74% of polymer grades); weldability fair (45/100); formability poor (25/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with PEKK 6000
Is PEKK easy to machine?
Machines like PEEK with sharp carbide/PCD tools, high speed, light feeds and air or flood cooling; stress-relieve (annealing near 200 °C) before finish cuts to avoid distortion.
Can PEKK be welded?
Joinable by laser, ultrasonic, IR and hot-plate welding as well as PAEK-compatible epoxy adhesives after plasma or abrasive surface activation; no solvent bonding.
Can PEKK be formed, bent or molded?
Requires 340–420 °C melt, 160–230 °C tools and dry feedstock (<0.02 % moisture, 150 °C for 3–4 h); FFF needs a 400 °C-class hot end plus 130–200 °C chamber and post-print anneal for crystallinity and Z-strength.
What surface finishes work on PEKK?
Sand/bead-blast or vapour-smooth-free finishing only; no anodizing — parts can be painted or metallised after plasma treatment, and machined surfaces polish to a semi-gloss tan finish.
PEKK 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 fiberCF variants only | 0 – 30 | 0 |
| glass fiberGF variants only | 0 – 40 | 0 |
| carbon nanotubeESD variant only | 0 – 5 | 0 |
| polyetherketoneketone repeat unit (from T/I isomer ratio ~60:40 to 80:20 sets Tm; unfilled default | balance | — |
PEKK 6000 — frequently asked
What is PEKK 6000 used for?
PEKK 6000 is typically used for aerospace brackets, air and fluid ducting, satellite components, aerospace composite tooling and structures, electrical insulation parts and implantable orthopaedic devices. In short: space-grade performance.
What is the yield strength of PEKK 6000?
PEKK 6000 has a typical yield strength of 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) — stronger than 95% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is PEKK 6000 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (70/100, better than 74% of polymer grades). Machines like PEEK with sharp carbide/PCD tools, high speed, light feeds and air or flood cooling; stress-relieve (annealing near 200 °C) before finish cuts to avoid distortion.
Can PEKK 6000 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (45/100). Joinable by laser, ultrasonic, IR and hot-plate welding as well as PAEK-compatible epoxy adhesives after plasma or abrasive surface activation; no solvent bonding.
What surface finishes work on PEKK 6000?
Sand/bead-blast or vapour-smooth-free finishing only; no anodizing — parts can be painted or metallised after plasma treatment, and machined surfaces polish to a semi-gloss tan finish.
Can PEKK 6000 be formed, bent or molded?
Requires 340–420 °C melt, 160–230 °C tools and dry feedstock (<0.02 % moisture, 150 °C for 3–4 h); FFF needs a 400 °C-class hot end plus 130–200 °C chamber and post-print anneal for crystallinity and Z-strength.
What is the maximum service temperature of PEKK 6000?
PEKK 6000 is rated for continuous use to about 230°C (446 °F), and briefly to 300°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in PEKK 6000?
Yes — PEKK 6000 is available for 3D printing; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- Kepstan PEKK 6000/7000/8000 series technical data and processing guide — Arkema (2022)
- Antero 800NA and Antero 840CN03 PEKK FDM material datasheets — Stratasys (2023)
- Engineering Plastics — polyaryletherketone property overview — ASM International (2000)
- CAMPUS / UL Prospector PAEK property listings — CWFG / UL Solutions (2024)
- ISO 10993 series (biological evaluation of medical devices) — ISO (2018)
- EOS HT-23 (PEKK-CF) — Technical Data Sheet — EOS
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.