3D Printing InfoWhere it is used
Aerospace brackets, semiconductor handling, sterilisable medical tooling and downhole parts
Sources
- ThermaX PEEK Technical Data Sheet v3 · 2026-08 · tds
High-temperature polymers · Material guide
PEEK
The benchmark high-temperature engineering polymer: 60-100 MPa printed tensile, Tg 143-151 °C, melting 343 °C, UL 94 V-0 and steam-sterilisable. Needs a 380-450 °C hot end and a chamber…
Open in interactive comparisonUnderstand the material
At a glance
Before you print
- Setup difficulty
- Expert / industrial hardware only
- Nozzle wear
- Non-abrasive when unfilled
Read the full material overview
The benchmark high-temperature engineering polymer: 60-100 MPa printed tensile, Tg 143-151 °C, melting 343 °C, UL 94 V-0 and steam-sterilisable. Needs a 380-450 °C hot end and a chamber above 150 °C, and costs $300-770/kg.
Applications
PEEK is used where heat, repeated mechanical loading, wear and chemical exposure occur together. Victrex describes injection-molded PEEK gear systems for engine and actuation drives, where lower mass and inertia and quieter operation can justify replacing metal. Compressor applications include valve elements, bearing and piston rings, thrust washers and tip seals; the useful property depends on the component, from fatigue resistance to friction and chemical resistance.
Choose the formulation around the contact and load: a wear grade for a seal or sliding surface is not interchangeable with an unfilled resin or a reinforced structural grade. In FDM, controlling crystallization, chamber conditions and layer bonding is demanding and expensive. Load direction, contact temperature, counterface material and lubrication govern the useful life of a gear or bearing; molded component experience alone does not establish those limits for a print.
Injection-molded engine and actuation gears ↗
Injection molding · VICTREX HPG and other specified PEEK gear solutions; not an arbitrary unfilled FDM spool · Manufacturer-listed applications
Victrex presents its engineered PEEK gear solutions as alternatives to metal, linking lower mass and inertia, chemical resistance and noise reduction to the application.
Sources
- ThermaX PEEK Technical Data Sheet v3 · 2026-08 · tds
- VICTREX AM 450 FIL — datasheet · 2025-12 · tds
- VICTREX AM 200 — FDM Material Data Sheet · 2024-04 · tds
- PEEK polymers — product overview · 2026-08 · doc
- TECAPEEK natural (PEEK) — stock shape properties · 2026-08 · tds
Find printable models
Check the model’s material and process notes before choosing a filament.
Plan your printer setup
All print settings ↓Printing quick reference
Representative catalog values. Check the exact grade and its linked conditions before using a setting.
Nozzle temperature (°C)
380-400 (3DXTech printed-specimen conditions); Victrex quotes a 340-450 melt range for AM 450 FIL
Full value & sources
380-400 (3DXTech printed-specimen conditions); Victrex quotes a 340-450 melt range for AM 450 FIL
- ThermaX PEEK Technical Data Sheet v3 · 2026-08 · tds
- VICTREX AM 450 FIL — datasheet · 2025-12 · tds
Bed temperature (°C)
130–140 (3DXTech)
Enclosure
Actively heated chamber required
Full value & sources
Actively heated chamber required
- Prusament PEI 1010 Technical Datasheet v1.0 · 2024-09 · tds
- Prusament PEI 1010 — material page · 2026-08 · doc
Drying
120 °C for 5 h, target below 0.020 % moisture (Victrex AM 450 FIL)
Full value & sources
120 °C for 5 h, target below 0.020 % moisture (Victrex AM 450 FIL)
- VICTREX AM 450 FIL — datasheet · 2025-12 · tds
Go deeper when you need to
49 documented fieldsProperties & source data
Open a topic to explore the complete data. Each value keeps its original conditions, units and dated sources.
Material & market7 fields
| Property and unit | Published value and conditions | Sources and dates |
|---|---|---|
| Base polymer / chemistry | Polyether ether ketone — a semi-crystalline polyaryletherketone | 1 source
|
| Density (g/cm³) | 1.30 (ISO 1183) | 2 sources
|
| Typical price (USD/kg) | 1 kg-equivalent spools span 296–770; the middle of the market is about 532 | 3 sources
|
| Price range across brands (USD/kg) | 296-770 across brands and spool sizes; 3D4Makers recycled R-PEEK 296 at 750 g, IEMAI 3D 420 at 1 kg, LEHVOSS Luvocom 3F PEEK 9581 532 at 2 kg, 3DXTech ThermaX PEEK 770 at 500 g | 3 sources
|
| Market availability (1–5) | Niche, a handful of specialist brands | 3 sources
|
| Spool sizes & diameters | 1.75 and 2.85 mm; 200 g to 2 kg spools | 3 sources
|
| Typical applications | Aerospace brackets, semiconductor handling, sterilisable medical tooling and downhole parts | 1 source
|
Print settings8 fields
| Property and unit | Published value and conditions | Sources and dates |
|---|---|---|
| Nozzle temperature (°C) | 380-400 (3DXTech printed-specimen conditions); Victrex quotes a 340-450 melt range for AM 450 FIL | 2 sources
|
| Bed temperature (°C) | 130–140 (3DXTech) | 1 source
|
| Enclosure / chamber requirement (1–5) | Actively heated chamber required | 2 sources
|
| Recommended chamber temperature (°C) | Not less than 150 for semi-crystalline printing (Victrex AM 450 FIL); bed above 150 | 1 source
|
| Warping tendency (1–5) | Severe — heated chamber needed | 1 source
|
| Bed-adhesion difficulty (1–5) | Very difficult — special plates or slurry required | 1 source
|
| Overall printing difficulty (1–5) | Expert / industrial hardware only | 2 sources
|
| Extruder requirement | An all-metal hot end rated above 400 °C and a heated chamber; 3DXTech tests at 0.25 mm layer height on a 0.4 mm nozzle | 2 sources
|
Nozzle wear & reliability3 fields
| Property and unit | Published value and conditions | Sources and dates |
|---|---|---|
| Nozzle hardness required (1–4) | Brass fine indefinitely for unfilled grades, but brass softens near these nozzle temperatures — hardened or plated hot ends are the norm | 1 source
|
| Abrasiveness (1–5) | Non-abrasive when unfilled | 1 source
|
| Nozzle clog risk (1–5) | Moderate — needs dry filament and a clean nozzle; 3DXTech lists no special nozzle concerns but a mandatory 120 °C pre-dry before every print | 1 source
|
Moisture & drying3 fields
| Property and unit | Published value and conditions | Sources and dates |
|---|---|---|
| Equilibrium moisture content at ~50 % RH (%) | 0.45 at saturation, 23 °C (ISO 62); 0.55 at 100 °C | 1 source
|
| Drying temperature & time | 120 °C for 5 h, target below 0.020 % moisture (Victrex AM 450 FIL) | 1 source
|
| Effect of moisture on strength | No dry-versus-conditioned figures are published; 3DXTech mandates a 120 °C, 4 h pre-dry before every print because trapped water flashes to steam at these nozzle temperatures | 1 source
|
Strength & mechanical properties14 fields
| Property and unit | Published value and conditions | Sources and dates |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength (XY) (MPa) | 60-100 (printed XY): Victrex AM 450 FIL 60-80 at yield and 3DXTech 100, both ISO 527; 98 at yield injection-moulded | 2 sources
|
| Young's modulus (MPa) | 3000-4000 (printed XY, ISO 527, Victrex AM 450 FIL); 3720 (3DXTech); 4000 injection-moulded | 2 sources
|
| Elongation at break (%) | 28 (printed XY, ISO 527) — remarkably ductile for a high-temperature polymer | 1 source
|
| Flexural strength (MPa) | 130 (printed XY, ISO 178) | 1 source
|
| Flexural modulus (MPa) | 2700 (printed XY, ISO 178) | 1 source
|
| Charpy impact, notched (kJ/m²) | 6.0 (injection-moulded, ISO 179/1eA); unnotched does not break | 1 source
|
| Other impact data | Izod notched 7.0 kJ/m2 injection-moulded (ISO 180/A). Printed anisotropy is extreme: VICTREX AM 200 on a Stratasys F900 gives Izod notched 1380-1530 J/m XZ against 30-62 J/m ZX (ASTM D256) | 2 sources
|
| Layer adhesion / Z tensile (MPa) | 20-85 at yield (printed ZX, ISO 527, Victrex AM 450 FIL); the spread is set by chamber temperature and weld quality | 1 source
|
| Brittleness (1–5) | Tough — absorbs impact, yields before breaking | 1 source
|
| Hardness (scale-specific) (Shore A / Shore D / Rockwell) | Shore D 84.5 (injection-moulded, ISO 868); Rockwell M100 / R125 on extruded PEEK stock (ASTM D785) | 2 sources
|
| Creep resistance / sustained load (1–5) | Excellent — holds load for years. Victrex rates PEEK for long-term creep; injection-moulded flexural stress at 3.5 % strain falls only from 125 MPa at 23 °C to 85 MPa at 125 °C, and extruded stock is rated to 249 °C continuous | 3 sources
|
| Fatigue / repeated-flex resistance (1–5) | Excellent — living hinges viable. Victrex rates PEEK for long-term fatigue as well as creep | 1 source
|
| Elasticity / flexibility (1–5) | Rigid | 1 source
|
| Z strength as % of XY (%) | 71-84 (VICTREX AM 200 LMPAEK printed on the Stratasys F900 and Fortus 450mc, ZX against XZ tensile yield, ASTM D638); unfilled PEEK's own ZX spread is wider | 1 source
|
Heat & temperature7 fields
| Property and unit | Published value and conditions | Sources and dates |
|---|---|---|
| HDT at 0.45 MPa (°C) | 140 (printed XY, ISO 75 at 0.45 MPa, 3DXTech) | 1 source
|
| HDT at 1.8 MPa (°C) | 152 (unannealed, ISO 75-2/Af, Victrex AM 450 FIL); 160 on extruded stock (ASTM D648 at 264 psi) | 2 sources
|
| Glass transition (Tg) (°C) | 143 (DSC, 3DXTech); Victrex gives onset 143 and midpoint 150 (ISO 11357-2) | 2 sources
|
| Melting point / Vicat (°C) | 343 melting (ISO 11357-3, Victrex); VICTREX AM 200 LMPAEK melts at 303 | 2 sources
|
| Continuous service temperature (°C) | 240 UL 746B relative thermal index, strength (RTI electrical 260, impact 180); Ensinger rates extruded PEEK stock at 249 long term | 2 sources
|
| Thermal expansion (CTE) (µm/m·K) | 37.8 (extruded PEEK stock, 23-60 °C, ASTM E831; source states 2.1e-5 in/in/°F), rising to 41.9 at 60-100 °C and 55.8 at 100-150 °C | 1 source
|
| Flammability / UL 94 | UL 94 V-0 at 1.5 mm on the base resin; glow-wire flammability index 960 °C at 2.0 mm (IEC 60695-2-12) | 2 sources
|
Weather & chemical resistance2 fields
| Property and unit | Published value and conditions | Sources and dates |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical resistance | Outstanding — resistant to almost all solvents and to steam sterilisation | 1 source
|
| Water / humidity resistance in service (1–5) | Excellent — essentially unaffected; 0.45 % water at saturation and resistant to steam sterilisation | 2 sources
|
Health & safety2 fields
| Property and unit | Published value and conditions | Sources and dates |
|---|---|---|
| Fume toxicity (1–5) | Moderate — measurable VOCs and UFPs, ventilation advised. None of these polymers was in the chamber study, and all are processed far above the temperatures it covered | |
| Ventilation / filtration requirement (1–5) | Ventilated room or enclosure recommended |
Solvents & solubility3 fields
| Property and unit | Published value and conditions | Sources and dates |
|---|---|---|
| Soluble in | 95–98 wt% sulphuric acid dissolves it — 10 g per 100 mL at 40–70 °C gives a dark red solution. Laboratory route only. | |
| Softened or crazed by | Concentrated nitric, hydrofluoric, hydrobromic and hydriodic acids attack it; DCM, DMSO and THF swell thin-walled sections. | 2 sources |
| Solvent welding & smoothing agent | None — no solvent softens PEEK, so parts are joined thermally or mechanically, never chemically. | 2 sources |
How to read these values
Values describe representative grades, not every spool. Manufacturer datasheets and independent tests retain their source labels and dates. Printed orientation, test method, conditioning and formulation can change results. Unknown values are —. A listed use is not a certification. Shore A, Shore D and Rockwell hardness are separate scales.
Find a specific filament
5 listingsProduct listings and datasheets
Historical USD/kg snapshots. Read each listing’s sale/from qualifiers, spool mass, source date, shipping and tax notes. Product figures are separate from the material summary.
Browse 5 products from 4 brands
3D4MakersR-PEEK Filament296.14 USD/kg
EUR 205.65 / 750 g spool = $296.14/kg at 1.08 USD/EUR, 3d4makers.com catalogue, Aug 2026
Recycled: made from regranulated VICTREX PEEK 450G semi-finished scrap.
Open product listing ↗- 3D4Makers R-PEEK Filament product page · 2026-08 · vendor
| Density (g/cm³) | 1.3 (ASTM D792) |
|
|---|---|---|
| Nozzle temperature (°C) | 400–450 |
|
| Bed temperature (°C) | 120–160 |
|
| Recommended chamber temperature (°C) | 90 and above |
|
| Bed surface & adhesion aid | Magigoo HT on a carbon-fibre plate, glass or a PEI sheet |
|
| Drying temperature & time | 120 °C for 4–6 h, or 80 °C for 12 h |
|
| Tensile strength (XY) (MPa) | 90 breaking strength (ASTM D638) |
|
| Young's modulus (MPa) | 3400 (ASTM D638) |
|
| Elongation at break (%) | 30 (ASTM D638) |
|
| Other impact data | 7 kJ/m², listed as Charpy against ASTM 256 on the product page |
|
| Continuous service temperature (°C) | 260 continuous; 315 short term at 0.46 MPa (ASTM D648) |
|
| Flammability / UL 94 | V-0 (UL 94 / IEC 60695) |
|
| Electrical & ESD properties | Surface resistivity 10^14 Ω (IEC 60093) |
|
IEMAI 3DPEEK420.00 USD/kg
$420.00 / 1 kg spool, store.iemai3d.com, Aug 2026
Natural, 1.75 mm. The data sheet does not state whether the figures are printed or moulded specimens.
Open product listing ↗- IEMAI 3D PEEK 3D Printing Filament — store page · 2026-08 · vendor
- IEMAI 3D PEEK Technical Data Sheet · 2022-11 · tds
| Density (g/cm³) | 1.30 crystalline (ISO 1183; specimen type not stated) |
|
|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength (XY) (MPa) | 100 at yield, 23 °C (ISO 527; specimen type not stated) |
|
| Elongation at break (%) | 40 at break, 23 °C (ISO 527; specimen type not stated) |
|
| Flexural strength (MPa) | 170 at yield, 23 °C (ISO 178; specimen type not stated) |
|
| Flexural modulus (MPa) | 4200 at 23 °C (ISO 178; specimen type not stated) |
|
| Charpy impact, notched (kJ/m²) | 6 notched Charpy at 23 °C (ISO 179; specimen type not stated) |
|
| Hardness (scale-specific) (Shore A / Shore D / Rockwell) | 85 Shore D at 23 °C (ISO 868) |
|
| HDT at 1.8 MPa (°C) | 152 (ISO 75-f at 1.8 MPa) |
|
| Glass transition (Tg) (°C) | 143 onset (ISO 11357) |
|
| Melting point / Vicat (°C) | 343 melting point (ISO 11357) |
|
| Thermal expansion (CTE) (µm/m·K) | 45 along flow, below Tg (ISO 11359) |
|
LEHVOSS (Luvocom)Luvocom 3F PEEK 9581 NT531.87 USD/kg
EUR 984.95 / 2 kg spool = $531.87/kg at 1.08 USD/EUR, 3d4makers.com catalogue, Aug 2026
Higher-flow PEEK compounded for additive manufacturing.
Open product listing ↗- LEHVOSS (Luvocom) Luvocom 3F PEEK 9581 NT product page · 2026-08 · vendor
| Density (g/cm³) | 1.31 (ISO 1183) |
|
|---|---|---|
| Diameter tolerance (± mm) | 0.05 at 1.75 mm; 0.10 at 2.85 mm, 95 % roundness |
|
| Nozzle temperature (°C) | 390–440 |
|
| Bed temperature (°C) | 120 |
|
| Bed surface & adhesion aid | Magigoo HT on glass or a PEI sheet |
|
| Drying temperature & time | 120 °C for 2–4 h |
|
| Tensile strength (XY) (MPa) | 97 (ISO 527) |
|
| Young's modulus (MPa) | 3800 (ISO 527) |
|
| Other impact data | 7 kJ/m² notched, listed as Izod against ISO 179 1eA (a Charpy method) |
|
3D4MakersPEEK Filament538.92 USD/kg
EUR 499.00 / 1 kg spool = $538.92/kg at 1.08 USD/EUR, 3d4makers.com, Aug 2026
1.75 and 2.85 mm; 200 g to 1 kg.
Open product listing ↗- 3D4Makers PEEK Filament — product page · 2026-08 · vendor
- 3D4Makers product catalogue · 2026-08 · vendor
| Density (g/cm³) | 1.26 (ISO 1183) |
|
|---|---|---|
| Diameter tolerance (± mm) | 0.05 at 1.75 mm; 0.10 at 2.85 mm, 95 % roundness |
|
| Nozzle temperature (°C) | 370–420 |
|
| Bed temperature (°C) | 120 and above |
|
| Drying temperature & time | 120 °C for 2–4 h |
|
| Tensile strength (XY) (MPa) | 105 (ISO 527) |
|
| Young's modulus (MPa) | 4100 (ISO 527) |
|
| Other impact data | Izod notched 5 kJ/m² (ISO 180/A) |
|
3DXTechThermaX PEEK770.00 USD/kg
$385.00 / 500 g spool = $770.00/kg (the 250 g and 1 kg variants are listed out of stock), 3dxtech.com product catalogue, Aug 2026
Handle thermax-peek-1.
Open product listing ↗- ThermaX PEEK — product page · 2026-08 · vendor
- ThermaX PEEK Technical Data Sheet v3 · 2026-08 · tds
| Density (g/cm³) | 1.30 (ISO 1183) |
|
|---|---|---|
| Nozzle temperature (°C) | 380–400 (TDS printed-specimen condition) |
|
| Bed temperature (°C) | 130–140 (TDS printed-specimen condition) |
|
| Tensile strength (XY) (MPa) | 100 (printed XY, ISO 527) |
|
| Young's modulus (MPa) | 3720 (printed XY, ISO 527) |
|
| Elongation at break (%) | 28 (printed XY, ISO 527) |
|
| Flexural strength (MPa) | 130 (printed XY, ISO 178) |
|
| Flexural modulus (MPa) | 2700 (printed XY, ISO 178) |
|
| HDT at 0.45 MPa (°C) | 140 (ISO 75, 0.45 MPa) |
|
| Glass transition (Tg) (°C) | 143 (DSC) |
|
| Flammability / UL 94 | UL 94 V-0 at 1.5 mm (base resin) |
|
Material selection articles
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