Comparison

PEEK vs HDPE

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

Property

PEEK

HDPE

Physical

Density

1.32 g/cm³

0.95 g/cm³

Water Absorption (24h)

0.15 %

< 0.01 %

Transparency

Opaque (amber)

Translucent to opaque

Shrinkage

1.1 – 1.4 %

1.5 – 3.0 %

Mechanical

Young's Modulus

3.6 GPa

1.1 GPa

Tensile Strength

100 MPa

25 – 35 MPa

Flexural Strength

170 MPa

—

Impact Strength (Izod)

55 J/m

—

Elongation at Break

50 %

500 – 1000 %

Impact Strength

—

No break

Thermal

Melting Point

343 °C

130 °C

Glass Transition Temperature

143 °C

—

Continuous Service Temperature

260 °C

80 °C

Heat Deflection Temperature

160 °C

75 °C

Electrical

Dielectric Constant

3.2

2.3

Volume Resistivity

10¹⁶ Ω·cm

Chemical resistance

Acids

Excellent

Bases

Excellent

Solvents

Excellent

—

Hydrolysis (steam)

Excellent

—

UV Resistance

Fair

Poor unless stabilized

Alcohols

—

Excellent

Oils

—

Good

Sustainability

Recyclability

Recyclable (specialty)

Widely recycled

Recycling Code

Carbon Footprint

~30 kg CO₂e / kg

~1.9 kg CO₂e / kg

Bio-based Content

—

0 – 100 %