What is PEEK and why is it used in CNC machining?

PEEK is a high-performance engineering thermoplastic with exceptional mechanical strength, thermal stability up to 260°C, and chemical resistance. It is used in medical implants, aerospace components, semiconductor equipment, and oil and gas applications where performance in demanding environments is required.

What are the different PEEK grades?

Unfilled PEEK offers the best elongation and ductility. Glass-filled PEEK provides higher stiffness and dimensional stability. Carbon-filled PEEK offers maximum wear resistance and electrical conductivity. Unfilled and glass-filled grades are biocompatible.

What are the challenges of machining PEEK?

PEEK has a melting point of 343°C and poor thermal conductivity, so heat builds up during cutting and can cause melting or smearing. Sharp tools, positive rake angles, high spindle speeds, and efficient chip evacuation are required. Coolant is essential for heat management.

What tolerances can PEEK machining achieve?

Standard work holds ±0.02-0.05mm. Precision work holds ±0.01mm. Material expansion and contraction must be considered, and stress relief annealing may be required for close-tolerance parts.

Can PEEK be sterilized?

Yes, PEEK can be sterilized by autoclave, ethylene oxide, gamma radiation, and steam sterilization without degradation. This makes it ideal for reusable medical instruments and implantable devices.

What industries use CNC PEEK machining?

Medical devices, aerospace, semiconductor equipment, oil and gas, automotive, and electrical applications. PEEK is specified where temperature, chemical resistance, or biocompatibility eliminates other materials.

CNC PEEK

CNC PEEK machining is the precision processing of polyetheretherketone, a high-performance engineering thermoplastic, using computer-controlled cutting tools. PEEK is a semi-crystalline polymer with exceptional mechanical, thermal, and chemical resistance properties. It maintains structural integrity at continuous service temperatures up to 260°C, exhibits excellent creep resistance, and provides outstanding chemical resistance to acids, bases, and organic solvents. The material is available in unfilled grades, 30% glass-filled grades for improved stiffness, and carbon-filled grades for enhanced wear resistance and electrical conductivity.

PEEK is biocompatible and sterilizable, making it ideal for medical implants and surgical instruments. It offers a modulus of elasticity of 3.6 GPa, tensile strength of 90-100 MPa, and elongation at break of 30-60%. Machining PEEK requires sharp carbide tooling, positive rake angles, and efficient chip evacuation to prevent melting. Tolerances are held to ±0.02-0.05mm standard, with precision work at ±0.01mm. Applications include medical implants, aerospace bushings and seals, semiconductor handling components, oil and gas downhole tools, and automotive high-temperature parts.

Our CNC Machining Services

From prototype to production — reliable quality, on-time delivery

We provide precision CNC machining services for a wide range of materials including aluminum, steel, stainless steel, copper, brass, titanium, PEEK, PTFE, acetal, nylon, and other engineering plastics. Our manufacturing capabilities cover 3-axis, 4-axis, and 5-axis CNC milling, as well as CNC turning, suitable for both prototype development and high-volume production runs.

With ISO 9001:2015 certification and a commitment to quality, we serve customers across aerospace, automotive, medical, electronics, industrial equipment, and consumer goods industries. Our in-house capabilities include surface finishing, anodizing, powder coating, heat treatment, and inspection with CMM and optical measurement equipment.

We offer competitive pricing, flexible lead times, and full material traceability. From simple brackets to complex precision components, we deliver parts that meet your specifications with reliable quality and on-time delivery.

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SLINAR - PEEK Slider Parts | CNC Milling for Medical and Aerospace Applications

PEEK Slider Parts | CNC Milling for Medical and Aerospace Applications-peek

Materials

PEEK

PEEK (CNC) is an engineering thermoplastic with excellent mechanical and thermal properties. Can be used to replace metal parts. Biocompatible.

Understand PEEK

Applications

Medical

Orthopedic implants and spinal cages
Surgical instruments and handles
Dental components and abutments
Cardiovascular device components
Sterilizable instrument bodies

Aerospace

Bearing cages and bushings
Seal rings and backup rings
Structural brackets and clips
Wire insulation and cable clamps
Galley equipment components

Semiconductor

Wafer handling end effectors
Chamber components and rings
Plasma-resistant parts
Test sockets and probe holders
Chemical delivery components

Oil & Gas

Downhole seals and backup rings
Valve seats and wear rings
High-temperature connectors
Sour gas service components

Automotive

Transmission thrust washers
Bearing retainers
High-temperature sensor housings
Electrical connector components

Capabilities

We specialize in CNC machining of PEEK in all grades: unfilled, 30% glass-filled, and carbon-filled. Equipment includes CNC milling and turning centers with precision temperature control to prevent material distortion. Sharp carbide tooling with positive rake angles and high-pressure coolant are used for efficient chip evacuation and heat management. Tolerances held to ±0.02-0.05mm standard, ±0.01mm precision. We maintain controlled environments for medical-grade PEEK machining. ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D certified. Material certifications and full traceability are provided.

Finishes

As-Machined

Standard finish for most PEEK parts
Tool marks visible, functional surface
Ra 1.6 – 3.2μm typical

Precision Finishing

Fine turning or milling with sharp tools
Ra 0.8μm achievable
Improved surface for sealing applications

Bead Blasting

Uniform matte texture
Removes tool marks
Common for medical and aesthetic parts

Polishing

High-gloss reflective finish
Used for wear surfaces and medical implants
Ra 0.4μm achievable

Heat Treatment

Annealing for stress relief
Improves dimensional stability
Recommended for close-tolerance parts

Technical Specs

Property	Unfilled PEEK	30% Glass-Filled PEEK	Carbon-Filled PEEK
Tensile Strength (MPa)	90-100	130-160	160-190
Modulus of Elasticity (GPa)	3.6	10.0	15.0
Elongation at Break (%)	30-60	2-5	1-3
Hardness (Shore D)	85	88	90
Density (g/cm³)	1.31	1.51	1.41
Continuous Service Temp (°C)	260	260	260
Water Absorption (%)	0.5	0.5	0.5
Wear Resistance	Good	Excellent	Excellent
Biocompatibility	Yes	Yes	No
Electrical Conductivity	Insulator	Insulator	Conductive

Parameter	Capability
Max Part Size (Milling)	2,000mm x 800mm x 600mm
Max Part Size (Turning)	600mm diameter x 1,500mm length
Standard Tolerance	±0.02 – 0.05mm
Precision Tolerance	±0.01mm
Surface Finish (As-Machined)	Ra 1.6 – 3.2μm
Surface Finish (Precision)	Ra 0.8μm
Surface Finish (Polished)	Ra 0.4μm

FAQs

What is PEEK and why is it used in CNC machining?

PEEK is a high-performance engineering thermoplastic with exceptional mechanical strength, thermal stability up to 260°C, and chemical resistance. It is used in medical implants, aerospace components, semiconductor equipment, and oil and gas applications where performance in demanding environments is required.
What are the different PEEK grades?

Unfilled PEEK offers the best elongation and ductility. Glass-filled PEEK provides higher stiffness and dimensional stability. Carbon-filled PEEK offers maximum wear resistance and electrical conductivity. Unfilled and glass-filled grades are biocompatible.
What are the challenges of machining PEEK?

PEEK has a melting point of 343°C and poor thermal conductivity, so heat builds up during cutting and can cause melting or smearing. Sharp tools, positive rake angles, high spindle speeds, and efficient chip evacuation are required. Coolant is essential for heat management.
Is PEEK biocompatible?

Unfilled PEEK and glass-filled PEEK are biocompatible and meet ISO 10993 requirements for medical implants and surgical instruments. Carbon-filled PEEK is not typically used in implant applications due to carbon content.
What tolerances can PEEK machining achieve?

Standard work holds ±0.02-0.05mm. Precision work holds ±0.01mm. Material expansion and contraction must be considered, and stress relief annealing may be required for close-tolerance parts.
Can PEEK be sterilized?

Yes, PEEK can be sterilized by autoclave, ethylene oxide, gamma radiation, and steam sterilization without degradation. This makes it ideal for reusable medical instruments and implantable devices.
What industries use CNC PEEK machining?

Medical devices, aerospace, semiconductor equipment, oil and gas, automotive, and electrical applications. PEEK is specified where temperature, chemical resistance, or biocompatibility eliminates other materials.

Services

Industries

Cases

Materials

Resources

Company

CNC PEEK

PEEK

PEEK

Medical

Aerospace

Semiconductor

Oil & Gas

Automotive

As-Machined

Precision Finishing

Bead Blasting

Polishing

Heat Treatment

What is PEEK and why is it used in CNC machining?

What are the different PEEK grades?

What are the challenges of machining PEEK?

Is PEEK biocompatible?

What tolerances can PEEK machining achieve?

Can PEEK be sterilized?

What industries use CNC PEEK machining?