Comparison
UHMWPE Bearing Grade vs PEEK
A side-by-side comparison of Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Bearing Grade and Polyether Ether Ketone.
Physical
Density
0.930-0.945 g/cm³
1.32 g/cm³
Water Absorption (24h)
<0.01 %
0.15 %
Transparency
Opaque
Opaque (amber)
Shrinkage
1-3 %
1.1 – 1.4 %
Mechanical
Young's Modulus
0.5-1.0 GPa
3.6 GPa
Tensile Strength
30-50 MPa
100 MPa
Elongation at Break
100-300 %
50 %
Impact Strength (Izod)
No Break
55 J/m
Flexural Strength
—
170 MPa
Thermal
Glass Transition Temperature
-120 °C
143 °C
Melting Point
130-140 °C
343 °C
Continuous Service Temperature
80-100 °C
260 °C
Heat Deflection Temperature
40-50 °C
160 °C
Electrical
Dielectric Constant
2.25-2.35
3.2
Volume Resistivity
>10¹⁵ Ω⋅cm
10¹⁶ Ω·cm
Dielectric Strength
15-25 kV/mm
—
Chemical resistance
Acids
Excellent resistance
Excellent
Bases
Excellent resistance
Excellent
Solvents
Good resistance at room temperature, swells in hot aromatic hydrocarbons
Excellent
UV Resistance
Poor (requires stabilization)
Fair
Hydrolysis (steam)
—
Excellent
Sustainability
Recyclability
Recyclable (challenging due to high viscosity)
Recyclable (specialty)
Recycling Code
2 (PE-HD)
7
Carbon Footprint
Moderate
~30 kg CO₂e / kg