Polyimide (PI)
Material properties of polyimide (PI)
Finished parts and semi-finished products made of PI (polyimide) are designed for applications requiring high thermal stability, good electrical properties and excellent wear and friction behaviour.
The absence of a glass transition temperature or melting point has a significant influence on the product properties and is the reason why PI behaves like a thermoset. Unlike most other materials, PI behaves isotropically, which means that the typical properties (such as tensile strength, elongation and coefficient of thermal expansion) of parts machined from semi-finished products are independent of direction.
Very high service temperature limits in air (permanently up to +288 °C and briefly up to +482 °C) and excellent retention of mechanical strength, rigidity and creep resistance over a wide temperature range are characteristic of PI.
VESPEL® PI SP1 (brown)
PI SP1 is the unfilled standard type with maximum strength and elongation and lowest young's modulus. This material also has a low thermal conductivity and optimal electrical properties.
VESPEL® PI SP21 (PI + 15% graphite, anthracite)
The 15% graphite content improves the sliding friction coefficient, wear resistance and heat ageing. This type is suitable for lubricated or non-lubricated applications requiring low friction and wear properties.