Comparison

HDPE vs PEEK

A side-by-side comparison of High-Density Polyethylene and Polyether Ether Ketone.

Property

HDPE

PEEK

Physical

Density

0.95 g/cm³

1.32 g/cm³

Water Absorption (24h)

< 0.01 %

0.15 %

Transparency

Translucent to opaque

Opaque (amber)

Shrinkage

1.5 – 3.0 %

1.1 – 1.4 %

Mechanical

Young's Modulus

1.1 GPa

3.6 GPa

Tensile Strength

25 – 35 MPa

100 MPa

Impact Strength

No break

—

Elongation at Break

500 – 1000 %

50 %

Flexural Strength

—

170 MPa

Impact Strength (Izod)

—

55 J/m

Thermal

Melting Point

130 °C

343 °C

Continuous Service Temperature

80 °C

260 °C

Heat Deflection Temperature

75 °C

160 °C

Glass Transition Temperature

—

143 °C

Electrical

Dielectric Constant

2.3

3.2

Volume Resistivity

10¹⁶ Ω·cm

Chemical resistance

Acids

Excellent

Bases

Excellent

Alcohols

Excellent

—

Oils

Good

—

UV Resistance

Poor unless stabilized

Fair

Solvents

—

Excellent

Hydrolysis (steam)

—

Excellent

Sustainability

Recyclability

Widely recycled

Recyclable (specialty)

Recycling Code

Bio-based Content

0 – 100 %

—

Carbon Footprint

~1.9 kg CO₂e / kg

~30 kg CO₂e / kg