LY-501 Continuous Carbon-Fiber Reinforced PEEK (CFR-PEEK)
When a component must be simultaneously light, very stiff, and able to survive continuous service near 260 °C, few materials deliver the combination of a continuous-carbon-fibre-reinforced PEEK (CFR-PEEK) laminate. LY-501 from Dalian Luyang Technology is a continuous carbon-fibre reinforced PEEK plate grade engineered for structural, load-bearing parts where chopped-fibre compounds fall short on stiffness and fatigue. This guide explains what "continuous fibre" actually means, the verified LY-501 data, and where it beats both metals and short-fibre composites.
1. Continuous vs Short Carbon Fibre: Why the Difference Matters
Not all "carbon-fibre-reinforced" PEEK is equal. The key distinction is fibre length and direction relative to the reinforcing element:
| Feature | Short-fibre reinforced PEEK | Continuous-fibre reinforced PEEK (LY-501) |
|---|---|---|
| --- | --- | --- |
| Fibre orientation | Random/short across the part | Aligned, continuous along the plate |
| Stiffness & strength | Moderate; limited by fibre-matrix transfer over short lengths | Very high along fibre direction |
| Fatigue resistance | Good | Excellent |
| Anisotropy | Low-moderate | Strongly directional — design for fibre orientation |
| Typical forms | Moulding compounds | Compression-moulded / laminated plate for machining |
| Best suited to | Complex net-shape injection parts | Flat, load-bearing plate → machined structural parts |
Because the carbon fibres run the full length of the reinforcement without breaks, load is transferred efficiently from matrix to fibre, giving CFR-PEEK dramatically higher stiffness and strength along the fibre direction than any chopped-fibre grade. The trade-off is directionality: a part must be oriented so the primary load runs parallel to the fibres.
2. LY-501 Verified Performance Data
Measured on LY-501 continuous CFR-PEEK plate (ISO / UL test methods, from Dalian Luyang's material properties table):
| Property | LY-501 value | Test method |
|---|---|---|
| --- | --- | --- |
| Density | ~1.30 g/cm³ | ISO 1183 |
| Tensile strength, 23 °C | ~105 MPa | ISO 527 |
| Flexural strength, 23 °C | ~186 MPa | ISO 178 |
| Tensile elongation | Low (stiff laminate) | ISO 527 |
| Melting point | ~343 °C | ISO 11357 |
| Continuous operating temperature | ~260 °C | UL 746B |
| Volume resistivity | ~10⁸ Ω·cm | IEC 60093 |
The combination of ~105 MPa tensile / ~186 MPa flexural strength with PEEK's ~260 °C thermal ceiling makes LY-501 suited to structural brackets, housings, covers, and support plates that would otherwise spec aluminium or steel — but at polymer-level weight. Note LY-501 sits at a high but not extreme stiffness position among CFR-PEEK laminates; parts needing even higher stiffness can be engineered with lay-up architecture by your supplier.
3. Lightweighting: LY-501 vs Metal Plate
Weighing in near 1.30 g/cm³, LY-501 is a fraction of the weight of steel (~7.8 g/cm³) and titanium (~4.5 g/cm³) — roughly 17 % of steel and 29 % of titanium by volume:
| Comparable plate | Density (g/cm³) | Weight of 1 m³ | Qualitative stiffness |
|---|---|---|---|
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Steel | ~7.8 | ~7800 kg | Very high |
| Aluminium | ~2.7 | ~2700 kg | High (lower stiffness/weight than CFRP) |
| Titanium | ~4.5 | ~4500 kg | Excellent, heavy |
| LY-501 CFR-PEEK | ~1.30 | ~1300 kg | Very high along fibre direction |
For moving or handheld assemblies — robot arms, UAV and aerospace brackets, probe holders, transport equipment — the weight saving on plate components can be transformative, cutting both the part's own mass and the size of the actuators or support structure around it.
4. Where LY-501 Earns Its Place
- Structural covers and housings subject to elevated temperature (motors, electrolyser peripherals, industrial machines)
- Support brackets and frames where metal would corrode or where weight drives system cost
- Abrasion- and fatigue-loaded plates in sliding and vibrating machinery
- Fire-retardant structural use where PEEK's inherent flame resistance is a compliance bonus
Because LY-501 is an electrical conductor along its carbon path (far lower volume resistivity ~10⁸ Ω·cm than virgin PEEK's ~10¹⁶ Ω·cm), it should not be used where electrical insulation is required — that role belongs to unfilled LY-100-series PEEK.
5. Design and Machining Considerations
- Respect the anisotropy. Orient the part so the dominant load runs along the fibre direction; a part loaded across the fibres will underperform.
- Edge and feature quality. Machined edges can expose fibre ends; specify edge finish where sliding contact or cleanliness matters.
- Cutting. Use PCD/diamond tooling. The carbon fibres are abrasive — sharp tools and controlled feeds give clean edges and longer tool life.
- Fastening. Terrain threaded inserts where possible, as CFR-PEEK laminates can be sensitive to pull-out if heavily loaded near edges.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is LY-501 CFR-PEEK? LY-501 is Dalian Luyang's continuous carbon-fibre reinforced PEEK plate grade, delivering ~105 MPa tensile and ~186 MPa flexural strength with PEEK's ~260 °C continuous service ceiling at a density near 1.30 g/cm³.
- How does continuous carbon fibre differ from short fibre in PEEK? Continuous fibres run unbroken along the plate, giving much higher stiffness and strength along the fibre direction and better fatigue resistance than randomly oriented short fibres — but the part must be designed to load along that direction.
- Is LY-501 suitable for electrical insulation? No — continuous carbon fibre is conductive (volume resistivity ~10⁸ Ω·cm), so it should not be used where electrical insulation is required; choose an unfilled PEEK grade instead.
Related Topics
- Carbon Fiber Reinforced PEEK (CFR-PEEK): Continuous vs Short Fiber
- PEEK vs Metals: When Does a Polymer Part Beat Steel or Titanium?
- LY-601 Polyimide (PI) for Ultra-High-Temperature Wear Applications
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.