Thermoplastic comparison
PEEK vs UHMW-PE (ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene)
Every value below is a typical room-temperature figure with its source, test method and conditions — the same dataset that drives the calculators.
| Property | PEEK | UHMW-PE (ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 1.3 g/cm³ | 0.94 g/cm³ | PEEK — 38% higher |
| Young's modulus E | 3.6 GPa | 0.8 GPa | PEEK — 4.5× higher |
| Tensile strength | 100 MPa | 49 MPa | PEEK — 2.0× higher |
| Glass transition Tg | 143 °C | -120 °C | PEEK — 263 °C higher |
| Melting point Tm | 343 °C | 130 °C | PEEK — 213 °C higher |
Where these numbers come from
- Callister & Rethwisch, Materials Science and Engineering, 10th ed.
- MakeItFrom.com materials database — typical grade values
Typical room-temperature values for learning and preliminary design; grades vary widely and a supplier datasheet always overrides a textbook figure. Confirm against the datasheet before design work.