TexFluor PEEK beading is USP Class VI compliant and can repeatedly withstand sterilization with E-beam/gamma, ETO or steam autoclave. These features, coupled with high tensile strength and abrasion resistance, make it a widely used alternative to glass, stainless steel, and other metals. The beading from Parker-TexMed, Fort Worth, Tex., (www.texloc.com/peek.html ) is extruded in a clean room that features closed-loop control systems capable of holding precision tolerances of ±0.0005-in. Tensile strength is 14,065 to 14,500 psi with a maximum service temperature of 500°F (higher upon cross-linking). Beading is available in small sizes from 0.005-in. I.D. (with tolerances as close as ±0.0005-in.) up to 0.250-in. I.D. (with tolerances as close as 0.005-in.)