Learn About These 5 Heat Resistant Plastic Materials | Machined Components

Because they are extremely heat-resistant, manufacturers frequently choose metals like nickel and stainless steel for high-performance applications. For instance, alloys based on nickel maintain their strength in conditions characterized by high temperatures, repeated heat exposure, and substantial carbon content. Engineers would often benefit from employing heat-resistant polymers for their high-performance applications, even though metal is often more heat-resistant than plastic.

Thermosets and thermoplastics are the two main groups of heat-resistant polymers. Thermosets are polymers that cannot be reshaped after curing and harden when heat exposure. High-performance thermoplastics are polymers that melt when heated, cool to a solid state, and then can be remelted. The glass transition temperature (Tg) & melting point inherent to each material impact the structural integrity of thermoplastics. High-performance thermoplastic Machined Components options are available that maintain their structural integrity over 150°C and briefly over 250°C.

These materials are good electrical and thermal insulators, chemically and corrosion resistant, and heat resistant. Piston components for automobiles, cable conduits for the aerospace sector, subsea connections for the semiconductor sector, and other common high-performance uses. Product teams should consider manufacturing using these top five heat-resistant polymers when designing components that will be in touch with extremely high temperatures.

Top 5 Heat-Resistant Plastics

The molecular structure of thermoplastics contributes to their heat resistance. The backbone of the molecular chain is constrained and strengthened to the point that two chemical linkages must be broken to break the chain when stiff aromatic rings are introduced to the resin in place of aliphatic groups. A thermoplastic’s chemical & heat resistance can be on par with or better than a thermoset, thanks to this unique structure.

These five polymers can withstand heat.

Polyetherimide (PEI)

One of the market’s few commercially accessible amorphous thermoplastics is polyetherimide, also known by the brand name ULTEM®. It is sturdy, resistant to chemicals and flames, and has been a mainstay in the manufacturing sector for more than 35 years. The greatest dielectric strength of any high-performance thermoplastic makes ULTEM unique.

This material is perfect for circuit boards, food sterilizing equipment, and, most importantly, aviation parts because of its extraordinarily high melting point of 219°C and maximum continuous service temperature of 170°C. One of the few resins suitable for commercial aircraft use is ULTEM; it outperforms other thermoplastics in terms of creep resistance and performs admirably when exposed to various fuels and coolants. However, when polar chlorinated solvents are present, it often cracks. Both the seat coverings for aeroplanes and fire retardants contain this substance.

Polyether ether ketone (PEEK)

PEEK, also known as polyether ether ketone, is a high-performance engineering Machined Components that is semi-crystalline and resistant to heat, chemicals, wear, and fatigue. No matter the temperature, manufacturers utilize this material in place of metal in numerous applications since it is durable and adaptable to adverse situations. PEEK has a melting point of more than 371°C and can tolerate temperatures as high as 310°C for brief durations. Additionally, it is the strongest high-performance polymer in terms of tensile and flexural strength.

PEEK is frequently utilized for various medical equipment, active elements in auto gearboxes, and external sections of aeroplanes due to its metal-like toughness. It also has the Pros of being simple to process via injection molding or extrusion, and solid PEEK is CNC-machineable. This well-liked thermoplastic has a few minor limitations, including its sensitivity to UV radiation and certain chemicals. However, PEEK is still a very adaptable thermoplastic, and all engineers should know how to use it.

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)

Teflon, sometimes polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), is a soft, heat-resistant, low-friction material with outstanding chemical resistance. It offers strong electrical insulating power in hot and humid settings, high flexural strength, and acceptable weathering resistance. Due to its exceptional properties—almost total chemical inertness, excellent solubility in the majority of solvents, and suitability for high-temperature applications—PTFE is unique. PTFE has a wide operating temperature range and one of the highest melting temperatures of any thermoplastic at 327°C. It may be utilized anywhere between -200°C and +260°C since it is thermally stable.

The most well-known uses of PTFE are in the industry. Additionally, it is utilized to coat heat exchangers, shield pipelines from corrosive substances, and insulate electrical components. Although PTFE sheets are at extremely high and low temperatures, their mechanical qualities at ambient temperature are often inferior to those of similar polymers. It can release hazardous gases and is vulnerable to radiation, abrasion, and creep. It’s also important to remember that processing PTFE is quite costly.

Polybenzimidazole (PBI)

Polybenzimidazole (PBI) offers the best heat and wear resistance, strength, and mechanical property stability of all the engineering thermoplastics on the market. PBI fibres do not burn, have no known melting point, and do not adhere to other polymers. Maximum continuous service temperatures for this material are 398 °C in inert settings, 343 °C in air, and a scorching 537 °C for a brief exposure. Despite its advantages, PBI is extremely costly and challenging to produce. Engineers must frequently machinate this material using diamond tools, which raises expenses even more. PBI has a lot of design flaws, one of which is its notch sensitivity. Designers of products must take care to prevent rough edges and corners and smooth down all surface finishes.

Polydicyclopentadiene (pDCPD)

Polydicyclopentadiene (pDCPD) is a thermoset polymer specifically created to offer a great balance of chemical, corrosion, and heat resistance, as well as stiffness and impact strength. This substance combines the thermoset’s moulding flexibility with the high-performance traits of the best engineering Machined Components. The temperature at which it deflects heat can reach 120 °C. Parts with varying wall thicknesses moulded, stiffening ribs, and other features won’t slow production since pDCPD has almost no component size or weight restrictions. Although pDCPD is a relatively novel material with few uses to date, it has shown promise in water treatment equipment, septic tanks, and corrosion-resistant chemical process equipment.

By utilizing additives and heat stabilizers, engineers and producers can increase the temperature and enhance the performance of most plastic types. The three most often used additives are processing aids, flame retardants, and antioxidants. Each addition has a distinct benefit and adds to the toughness of a polymer. Heat stabilizers are currently added to most polymers to protect them against heat damage that might occur during production or routine usage of the finished product. Additionally, heat stabilizers help protect the polymer’s look, tensile power, and flexibility. Buy Machined Components online only at the Petron Thermoplast. Visit the website now!