High-performance engineering plastic for demanding heat, strength and chemical environments.
PEEK Rod is a high-performance thermoplastic engineering plastic that combines high temperature capability, excellent mechanical strength, good dimensional stability, strong wear performance and resistance to many chemicals. It is commonly machined into bushes, bearings, gears, seals, valve components, electrical parts and precision components used in demanding industrial environments.
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Everything you need to choose with confidence.
Is PEEK Rod right for my application?
PEEK Rod is a strong choice where conventional engineering plastics cannot provide the required combination of temperature resistance, strength, stiffness, chemical resistance and dimensional stability.
It is particularly useful for highly loaded machined components, wear parts, bushes, bearings, gears, seals, valve and pump components, electrical parts and precision components operating in demanding environments.
PEEK is a premium engineering material. Where the application does not require its high-temperature or high-performance capability, materials such as Acetal, Nylon or HDPE may provide a more economical solution.
Key properties and benefits
- High temperature capability — suitable for applications operating well above the normal range of many engineering plastics.
- Excellent mechanical strength — retains useful strength and rigidity in demanding applications.
- Good dimensional stability — valuable for precision-machined components.
- Strong wear performance — useful for bushes, bearings, gears and moving components.
- Excellent chemical resistance to many chemicals and industrial environments.
- Good electrical insulation for suitable electrical and electronic components.
- Low moisture absorption compared with materials such as Nylon.
Common applications
PEEK Rod is commonly machined into:
- Bushes and bushings
- Bearings
- Gears
- Seals
- Wear components
- Valve components
- Pump components
- Electrical insulators
- Connectors and supports
- Process equipment components
- Precision-machined mechanical parts
High-temperature performance
PEEK is widely used where high service temperatures exceed the practical capability of many common engineering plastics.
Depending on grade and service conditions, PEEK can be used at temperatures approaching 260°C.
Actual allowable service temperature depends on load, duration, chemical exposure, component geometry and other operating conditions. The maximum temperature should therefore not be interpreted as a guarantee of full mechanical performance at every temperature.
Chemical resistance
PEEK has excellent resistance to many chemicals, fuels, oils, solvents and industrial environments.
Its combination of chemical resistance and mechanical strength makes it particularly useful where softer chemically resistant plastics may not provide enough rigidity or load-bearing capability.
Chemical compatibility depends on the chemical, concentration, temperature and service conditions, so critical applications should always be assessed individually.
Machining PEEK Rod
PEEK can be turned, milled, drilled, bored and threaded using conventional machining equipment with appropriate tooling and machining practices.
Sharp tools, controlled cutting conditions and careful heat management help achieve good dimensional accuracy and surface finish.
For close-tolerance or highly stressed components, machining strategy, material temperature and stress relief requirements may need to be considered.
All Warlond Plastics PEEK Rod is supplied in 1000mm lengths. Select your required diameter using the product options above. Custom rod cutting or fabrication is not offered.
PEEK vs PTFE — which should I choose?
PEEK and PTFE are both high-performance engineering plastics, but they solve different problems.
Choose PEEK where you need high-temperature capability combined with substantially greater mechanical strength, stiffness and dimensional stability.
Choose PTFE where exceptionally low friction, broad chemical resistance and non-stick behaviour are more important than mechanical rigidity.
PEEK vs Acetal — when is PEEK worth the extra cost?
Acetal is an excellent general-purpose precision-machining plastic and is often the more economical choice for normal engineering temperatures and operating conditions.
PEEK becomes worthwhile when the application requires significantly higher temperature capability, stronger retained mechanical properties or performance in more demanding chemical environments.
If those conditions are not present, Acetal may provide the required performance at a substantially lower material cost.
Electrical insulation properties
PEEK has useful electrical insulation properties across a broad range of operating conditions.
This can make it suitable for machined insulating components, supports, connectors and other electrical parts where mechanical strength and temperature capability are also important.
Available diameters and rod length
PEEK Rod is supplied in 1000mm lengths only.
Select your required diameter using the product options above to view current pricing and availability.
Engineering plastic rod is supplied as machining stock. Where a precise finished diameter or tolerance is required, allow sufficient material for machining to the final dimension.
When might another engineering plastic be better?
PEEK offers exceptional performance, but its premium cost means it should be selected where the application genuinely needs those properties.
PEEK guides and further help
Need more information before selecting PEEK? Explore our PEEK material guide or contact Warlond Plastics.