Luyang LY-101 / LY-102 / LY-103 PEEK: Compression & Injection Grades
Virginal (unreinforced) polyetheretherketone — PEEK — is the benchmark high-performance thermoplastic for demanding precision parts, and its behavior varies meaningfully with how it is compounded and processed. This guide explains the LY-101, LY-102, and LY-103 uncompounded PEEK grades from Dalian Luyang Technology, when to choose each, and the verified property data behind them. If you are shortlisting "LY-101 PEEK" or comparing virgin PEEK grades, this is the document to check first.
1. What "Virgin PEEK" Means
A "virgin PEEK" grade is pure, uncompounded polyetheretherketone — no glass fibre, carbon fibre, PTFE, or other fillers added. It represents the material's natural balance of properties:
- High continuous service temperature (≈260 °C)
- Excellent chemical and hydrolysis resistance
- Low moisture absorption (< 0.07 %, dampening dimensional change)
- High strength and stiffness on a per-kilo basis
- Electrical insulation (dielectric strength ~23 kV/mm at 2 mm)
- Inherent flame retardancy
Because there are no fillers, virgin PEEK is the standard reference for applications where chemical purity, transparency of electrical behaviour, or predictable machining/spark behaviour matter most — from semiconductor wafer-handling components to valve seats and precision seals.
2. The LY-101 / LY-102 / LY-103 Family at a Glance
These three grades are all virgin (unreinforced) PEEK, differentiated mainly by processing route and the elongation/impact balance of the base compound:
| Grade | Typical processing | Compounding trait | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| LY-101 | Compression moulding / extrusion of rod-plate | Standard virgin PEEK | Bearing-grade machining stock, general precision parts |
| LY-102 | Injection moulding + machining | Higher elongation, tough | Complex injection-moulded parts, snap-fits, impact-prone components |
| LY-103 | Injection moulding + machining | Lower CTE variant (Tg ~158 °C) | Dimensionally critical injection parts, structural pieces |
All three are virgin (unfilled) PEEK from the LY-100/101/102/103 family, produced under an ISO 9001 quality system at Dalian Luyang.
3. Verified Performance Table (LY-100 Series, Virgin PEEK)
Measured values are from Dalian Luyang's material properties table (ISO / IEC / UL test methods):
| Property | LY-101 | LY-102 | LY-103 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Density (ISO 1183) | ~1.30 g/cm³ | ~1.30 g/cm³ | ~1.28 g/cm³ | — |
| Tensile strength, 23 °C (ISO 527) | ~95 MPa | ~97 MPa | ~96 MPa | — |
| Tensile elongation, 23 °C | ~9 % | ~28 % | ~20 % | LY-102 is the most ductile |
| Flexural strength, 23 °C (ISO 178) | ~175 MPa | ~168 MPa | ~147 MPa | — |
| Compressive strength (ISO 604) | ~127 MPa | ~102 MPa | ~123 MPa | — |
| Melting point (ISO 11357) | ~343 °C | ~343 °C | ~345 °C | — |
| Glass-transition temperature (Tg) | ~143 °C | ~143 °C | ~158 °C | LY-103: raised Tg |
| Heat deflection temp (HDT, 1.8 MPa, ISO 75) | ~155 °C | ~152 °C | ~150 °C | — |
| Continuous operating temperature (UL 746B) | ~260 °C | ~260 °C | ~260 °C | — |
| Water absorption, 24 h, 23 °C (ISO 62) | ~0.07 % | ~0.07 % | ~0.04 % | Negligible swelling |
| Dielectric strength, 2 mm (IEC 60243-1) | ~23 kV/mm | ~23 kV/mm | ~23 kV/mm | Electrical insulator |
> Treat these as representative data for selection and design. Property values vary with part geometry, thermal history, and test conditions — always verify against the official datasheet for your exact grade before finalising a specification.
4. LY-101 vs LY-102 vs LY-103: How to Choose
The three grades are chemically similar, so the choice is driven by processing route and toughness/CTE priorities:
- Choose LY-101 when you machine shapes from rod, plate, or tube (compression-moulded stock). It is the workhorse for seals, inserts, spacers, and bearing components where isotropic stiffness and clean machinability are the priorities.
- Choose LY-102 when you inject-mould a part and need the highest elongation and impact toughness for snap-fits, clips, or parts that see mechanical shock. Its ~28 % elongation helps it survive abuse that stiffer grades would crack under.
- Choose LY-103 when dimensional stability at elevated temperature is the dominant concern. Its raised Tg (~158 °C) and low moisture uptake keep tolerances tighter as the part is cycled toward service temperature.
If you are unsure, begin with LY-101 for machined shapes and LY-102 for injection parts, then validate with prototypes.
5. Why Virgin PEEK Grades Matter in Precision Applications
For parts that must hold micron-level tolerance or survive repeated thermal cycling, the filler-free chemistry delivers several concrete advantages:
- Low moisture absorption (< 0.07 %) means dimensional change from humidity is negligible — critical for metrology tools and semiconductor handling.
- Unequivocal electrical insulation with stable dielectric behaviour, unlike conductive filled grades.
- Predictable machining and welding behaviour with no hard filler particles to blunt tooling or create anisotropic properties.
- Chemical/hydrolysis resistance that supports direct contact with hot process fluids and steam-cleaned equipment.
6. Processing Notes for LY-101 / 102 / 103
- Compression moulding / extrusion (LY-101): produces near-isotropic rod, plate, and tube stock that is then CNC machined to final shape — the most forgiving route for seals and inserts.
- Injection moulding (LY-102 / 103): allows complex, net-shape geometries with high throughput; mould shrinkage and cooling must be controlled to hold tolerance.
- Annealing after machining or moulding relieves residual stress and improves dimensional stability — recommended for close-tolerance parts.
- Machining: use carbide or diamond tooling, sharp cuts, minimal coolant where possible, and hold tight feed rates to avoid work-hardening and distortion (see our full machining guide).
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the difference between LY-101, LY-102, and LY-103 PEEK? They are three virgin (unfilled) PEEK grades differing mainly in processing route and toughness: LY-101 suits compression-moulded machining stock (~95 MPa tensile), LY-102 offers the highest elongation (~28 %) for injection-moulded tough parts, and LY-103 has a raised Tg (~158 °C) for dimensional stability.
- Are LY-101/102/103 filled or virgin PEEK? They are virgin (uncompounded) PEEK — no glass, carbon, PTFE, or other fillers — giving the material its natural balance of ~260 °C continuous service, < 0.07 % water absorption, and electrical insulation.
- What tensile strength does LY-101 PEEK have? Approximately 95–97 MPa at 23 °C (ISO 527) across the LY-100 series, with MY-102 reaching ~97 MPa among the three grades.
Related Topics
- PEEK Properties: A Complete Engineering Guide
- LY Grade Guide: Matching Luyang Grades to Your Application
- PEEK Sheet, Rod & Plate: What to Check in Your Machining Stock
Dalian Luyang Technology Development Co., Ltd. (www.newmaterialchina.com) manufactures PEEK, PI, and PTFE precision parts — seals, inserts, machined components, and electrolyser frames — under ISO 9001 and ISO 13485. Established 2006. Contact: liyulong@luyangkeji.com · WhatsApp +86 15989781752. This guide is educational reference material; always verify against your chosen grade's official datasheet.