PEEK-CF30 is an ultra-high performance thermoplastic reinforced with 30% short carbon fibers, providing metal-grade flexural stiffness, low thermal expansion, and extreme wear resistance.
Engineering Specifications & Parameters
Density
1.40 g/cm³
Flexural Modulus
13,000 MPa (13 GPa)
Tensile Strength
205 MPa (29,700 psi)
Tooling Requirement
PCD (Polycrystalline Diamond) Mandatory
Continuous Service Temp
250 °C (482 °F)
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion
15 × 10⁻⁶ / K (Matches Aluminum)
Highly Abrasive Carbon Fiber Machining
The addition of 30% pitch-based carbon fibers increases flexural modulus from 4 GPa (unfilled PEEK) to over 13 GPa, but causes severe abrasive tool wear on standard carbide cutters.
PCD Tooling & Dust Management
Cutting Tools: Polycrystalline Diamond (PCD) tipped cutters or thick CVD-diamond coated end mills. Standard carbide wears out within minutes.
Cooling: Clean dry air blast or pure water coolant. Avoid oil-based coolants if parts are destined for cleanroom or aerospace vacuum environments.
Fiber Pull-Out Prevention: Use sharp upcut spiral geometries and climb milling to prevent fiber delamination on top edges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does standard carbide fail quickly on PEEK-CF30?
The microscopic carbon fiber fragments act as abrasive micro-chisels that rapidly round over sharp carbide cutting edges.
How does PEEK-CF30 compare to aluminum in weight and stiffness?
PEEK-CF30 has nearly half the density of aluminum (1.40 vs 2.70 g/cm³) while matching its thermal expansion and dimensional stability.
