Comparison

Polycarbonate vs PEEK

A side-by-side comparison of Polycarbonate and Polyether Ether Ketone.

Property

Polycarbonate

PEEK

Physical

Density

1.20 g/cm³

1.32 g/cm³

Water Absorption (24h)

0.15 %

Transparency

Transparent (88% light transmission)

Opaque (amber)

Shrinkage

0.5 – 0.8 %

1.1 – 1.4 %

Mechanical

Young's Modulus

2.3 – 2.4 GPa

3.6 GPa

Tensile Strength

60 – 70 MPa

100 MPa

Flexural Strength

90 – 100 MPa

170 MPa

Impact Strength (Izod)

600 – 900 J/m

55 J/m

Hardness (Rockwell M)

—

Elongation at Break

100 – 150 %

50 %

Thermal

Glass Transition Temperature

147 °C

143 °C

Continuous Service Temperature

115 – 130 °C

260 °C

Heat Deflection Temperature

130 – 140 °C

160 °C

Thermal Conductivity

0.20 W/m·K

—

CTE

65 – 70 × 10⁻⁶ /K

—

Melting Point

—

343 °C

Electrical

Dielectric Constant

2.9 – 3.0

3.2

Volume Resistivity

10¹⁶ Ω·cm

Dielectric Strength

15 kV/mm

—

Chemical resistance

Acids (dilute)

Good

—

Bases

Poor

Excellent

Alcohols

Fair

—

Oils

Good

—

Gasoline

Fair

—

Acetone

Poor (attacks)

—

UV Resistance

Poor (unless coated)

Fair

Acids

—

Excellent

Solvents

—

Excellent

Hydrolysis (steam)

—

Excellent

Sustainability

Recyclability

Recyclable

Recyclable (specialty)

Recycling Code

Bio-based Content

0 – 50 % (bio grades)

—

Carbon Footprint

~5 kg CO₂e / kg

~30 kg CO₂e / kg