Polyether Ether Ketone (PEEK) and Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) are the two most quoted options for medical plastic components in food and beverage projects. Both are widely available, but they behave very differently once they are in service.
This guide is written for engineers, purchasers and project managers who need a practical answer, not a resin data sheet.
This category covers a family of products rather than a single item. In practice a buyer defines medical plastic components by three things: the base resin, the format or dimension, and the performance or certification level it has to meet. Typical options in this category include cleanroom packed; tubing ID 0.5 mm to 25 mm; gamma, ETO and steam sterilisation grades. Materials most often specified are Polycarbonate, Polyvinyl Chloride, Thermoplastic Elastomer, Polyether Ether Ketone, and the choice between them changes stiffness, temperature resistance, chemical behaviour and price.
In the food and beverage sector the decision is usually driven by food contact compliance and migration limits, with seal integrity as a secondary requirement. Typical end uses include beverage bottles, takeaway trays, bulk totes.
Typical values for a general purpose grade are listed below; filled, stabilised and speciality compounds will differ.
| Material | Density | Tensile strength | Service temperature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thermoplastic Elastomer | 0.90-1.30 g/cm³ | 5-30 MPa | -40°C to 100°C |
| Polyvinyl Chloride | 1.38-1.45 g/cm³ | 40-55 MPa | -10°C to 60°C |
| Polyether Ether Ketone | 1.32 g/cm³ | 90-100 MPa | -50°C to 250°C |
Polyether Ether Ketone is frequently the default selection here: PEEK replaces metal in the hottest and most chemically aggressive service conditions.
Polyether Ether Ketone grades offer retains strength at 250°C, while Polyvinyl Chloride brings inherently flame retardant. For food and beverage service the difference shows up in chemical resistance and in the long term behaviour under load.
In short: choose the first option when stiffness, heat and dimensional stability dominate; choose the second when impact, cost and processing speed matter more.
Beyond the base resin, most suppliers offer UV stabilised, food contact, flame retardant, anti-static and recycled content versions of the same product. Ask which additive package is included, because it is often the difference between a part that lasts three years and one that lasts ten.
Processing method drives both cost and performance, so it should be fixed early in the design.
Secondary operations such as printing, welding, machining and assembly are often cheaper to do in the same factory, and they reduce the risk of mismatch between components.
Work through these points in order and most specification mistakes disappear.
Send this list to your supplier with the drawing and you will receive comparable quotations from every factory you contact.
Yes. Standard samples are normally free of charge and shipped within three working days; custom samples are charged at cost and credited against the first production order.
Standard production tolerance follows the relevant ISO or DIN tolerance class for the process; tighter tolerances are possible after machining or grinding, but they add cost. Define the tolerance only on the functional dimensions.
A new tool typically takes 25 to 45 days depending on cavity count and complexity, followed by T1 samples within one week. Existing tools can usually start production within 10 to 15 days of order confirmation.
We can provide ISO 9001 quality system documentation, material certificates, RoHS and REACH statements, and where applicable food contact, flame retardancy or drinking water approvals. Tell us your target market and we will match the document set.
Standard packing is export cartons on fumigation-free pallets, with custom labelling, barcode and retail packing available. We also handle consolidated containers and door to door delivery.
Share your specification and quantity with us and we will recommend the most cost effective material, tooling route and packing method for your market.
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