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DuPontTM Vespel® Polyimide Parts & Shapes

What is Vespel®?

DuPontTM Vespel® parts and shapes uses compression and isostatic molding methods to manufacture shapes. These two methods produce shapes with different properties.

The trend towards space and weight saving in modern engineering applications results in increased thermal and wear resistance expectations of the materials used. DuPontTM Vespel® products offer unique high-performance properties that help overcome severe sealing, wear and friction challenges, endure high temperature and stand up to very harsh operating environments in a wide range of applications. Vespel® parts help keep production running more smoothly, improve throughputs, and raise energy efficiency and system reliability. They enable reduced component size and mass for lighter weight parts, replacing standard metal, ceramics and many other engineering plastics, while broadening the operating window.

Vespel® parts and shapes can come in various grades to provide a balance of friction and temperature resistance in demanding applications. It also provides outstanding design flexibility combined with a unique combination of the physical properties common among engineered plastics, metals and ceramics.

Vespel® polyimide based materials are available as thermosets, thermoplastics, composites or assemblies (Fig. 1) and are positioned at the top of the polymer performance pyramid (Fig. 2) because of their ability to maintain physical and mechanical properties under high loads and temperatures.

Fig. 1. Polyimides are positioned at the top of the polymer performance pyramid because of their ability to maintain physical and mechanical properties under high loads and temperatures.

Fig. 2. Thanks to their unique set of properties, DuPontTM Vespel® parts & Shapes offer multiple possibilities to replace metals, ceramics, and other high-performance polymers.

Vespel® parts and shapes offer:

‣ Proven performance when used continuously in air up to 300 °C (572 °F) and for short excursions to as high as 500 °C (932 °F).

‣ Low wear and friction at high pressures and velocities (lubricated or unlubricated)

‣ Outstanding creep resistance

‣ Strength and impact resistance

‣ Exceptional chemical resistance

‣Excellent machinability

Vespel® parts and shapes enable superior performance in demanding physical environments, where metals or ceramics may not meet your specification.

As an alternative to metals, Vespel® parts and shapes offer:

‣Reduced weight

‣ Design flexibility

‣ Less wear

As an upgrade from ceramics, Vespel® parts and shapes offer:

‣ Increased ease of machinability

‣ Impact resistance

‣ Low design cost

Unlike other high performance engineered plastics, Vespel® parts and shapes offer:

‣ Higher temperature compatibility

‣ Creep resistance

‣ Better wear and friction

Fig. 3. Vespel®stock shapes are available in various grades to provide a balance of friction and temperature resistance in demanding applications.

Selector Guide of DuPontTM Vespel® Products

DuPontTM Vespel® SP precision parts are available in a number of standard and special purpose compositions. Some compositions contain fillers to enhance the performance of the polyimide material in one or two key characteristics.

Graphite is added, for example, to reduce friction and wear and fluoropolymer to lower static friction or reduce abrasion against soft metals. A brief description of DuPont’s polyimide compositions follows.

DuPontTM Vespel® SP for Demanding Applications

Grades
Typical End-Use Applications
Polyimide Compositions
SP-1
Mechanical and electrical parts at elevated temperatures.Valve seats, seal, insulators.
Unfilled base resin.

Maximum strength and elongation;

Lowest modulus and thermal conductivity;

Optimum electrical properties.
SP-21
For lubricated or non-lubricated, low friction and wear applications.

Valve seats, seals, bearings, washers, seal rings.
Contains graphite.

Enhances inherent wear resistance,improves long term thermal stability.
SP-22
Applications in which low thermal expansion is more important than strength (which is slightly reduced).

Bearings (bushings, washers, etc.).
Contains graphite.

Gives low coefficient of thermalexpansion.

Maximum creep resistance.
SP-211
For low friction and wear applications in moderate temperature and PV environments.

Bearings (bushings, washers, etc.).
Contains graphite and fluoropolymer.

Lowest static friction.
SP-3
For friction and wear applications in vacuum or inert gases.

Bearings, piston rings and seals.
Contains MoS2.

For friction and wear applications in vacuum or inert gases.
SP-2515
Designed for wear against aluminum, low coefficient of friction in dry environments.
Contains graphite.

High thermal conductivity, low CTE(matches aluminum).
SP-202
Electronics handling.

Low wear rates for long part life and cleaner environments.
Conductive.

With advanced filler technology materials needed for electronics handling.
CR-6100
Designed for use in hostile chemical environments.

Low creep and high thermal resistance,

Pumps Refineries, Chemical plants, Power plants, and other fluid processing facilities
Suited for seals, pump wear rings, throat bushings, and line shaft bearings and other components used in a variety of devices

DuPontTM developed Vespel®SCP as the next generation of polyimide, fulfilling the need for materials which can withstand even more demanding applications. Vespel®SCP builds on decades of experience using polyimides in the most challenging applications, while offering the following advantages over Vespe®SP:

‣ Increased thermal stability;

‣Better chemical resistance;

‣Improved wear and friction performance;

‣ Improved mechanical properties;

As with Vespel® SP, multiple grades of Vespel® SCP are available to service specific application needs:

Vespel® SCP: Next Generation Polyimide for Highest Thermal Oxidative Resistance and Strength

Grades
Typical End-Use Applications
Polyimide Compositions
SCP-5000
Aerospace applications, electronics (wafer inspection disk).

Best performance at the highest temperatures for the longest times.
Unfilled SCP polyimide resin.
SCP-5009
Ball bearing retainers, bushings, washers
Advanced filler technology.

Excellent combination of physical properties, such as high compressive strength and low tendency to creep, even under extreme conditions.
SCP-50094
Valve seats, test sockets, bearings and bushings.
Advanced filler technology.

Highest PV limit of any grade.

Excellent combination of physical properties, wear resistance and temperature resistance.
SCP-5050
CTE matches steel and cast iron.
Advanced filler technology.

Lowest CTE.

Unsurpassed wear resistance and thermal stability.

***All the above information is subject to the disclaimer of DuPontTM.

Vespel® shapes are available in a wide variety of sizes.

The descriptions in the table below give you an overview of the sizes in the standard Vespel® shapes line. However, the plant can produce shapes to meet your special needs.

However, we do not guarantee availability of the specified shapes in all the stated sizes below. For example, an OD range of 165–470 mm (6.5–18.5 in) does not imply that any OD within this range is available for sale. Contact us if you require any of the sizes below or if you have other size requirements.

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