DuPont™ Vespel® Polyimide
DuPontTM Vespel® Polyimide is a creep-resistant, highly high-temperature plastic that is frequently employed in high-heat situations where thermoplastic polymers lose their mechanical characteristics. Vespel® is a lightweight metal substitute that comes in a range of formulas, including unfilled grades as well as reduced friction and wears grades.
DuPontTM Vespel® Polyimide is capable of working at temperatures ranging from cryogenic to extremely hot. It possesses a low and constant thermal expansion coefficient, as well as excellent, creep properties, allowing DuPontTM Vespel® forms to be machined to tight dimensional tolerances.
DuPontTM Vespel® is a great choice for applications such as valve components where sealing is essential due to its ductility and exceptional creep and stress relaxation characteristics.
DuPont™ Vespel® Polyimide is capable of operating in a wide temperature range from cryogenic to extremely high temperatures. It has a low and consistent thermal expansion coefficient and outstanding creep characteristics, which allows parts made from DuPont™ Vespel® shapes to be machined to tight dimensional tolerances. The ductility and outstanding creep and stress relaxation behavior of DuPont™ Vespel® make it an excellent choice for applications such as valve components where sealing is required.
The Vespel® SP Family grades are available in a number of formulations including an unfilled grade (Vespel® SP-1) as well as filled grades with enhanced mechanical properties, dimensional stability, and friction and wear performance.
The Vespel® SCP Family grades are stronger and stiffer and have superior long-term thermal stability compared with the SP grades.
Is DuPont™ Vespel® right for your demanding application? Our plastics experts can answer your questions and discuss material options.
DuPont™ Vespel® Polyimide Properties and Options
EXPLORE DUPONT™ VESPEL® SP POLYIMIDE MATERIALS
DuPont™ Vespel® SP-1
DuPont™ Vespel® Polyimide SP-1 is unfilled and offers superior electrical and thermal insulation properties.
DuPont™ Vespel® SP-3
DuPont™ Vespel® Polyimide SP-3 for unlubricated sealing and low wear in vacuum or dry environments with low outgassing.
DuPont™ Vespel® SP-21
DuPont™ Vespel® Polyimide SP-21 is a graphite-enhanced grade with low-friction properties.
DuPont™ Vespel® SP-22
DuPont™ Vespel® Polyimide SP-22 is dimensionally stable and offers enhanced resistance to wear and friction.
DuPont™ Vespel® SP-211
DuPont™ Vespel® Polyimide SP-211 has a lower coefficient of friction than SP-21 without lubrication.
DuPont™ Vespel® SP-202
DuPont™ Vespel® Polyimide SP-202 conductive polymer eliminates static charge in high temperature substrate handling applications.
EXPLORE DUPONT™ VESPEL® SCP POLYIMIDE MATERIALS
DuPont™ Vespel® SCP-5000
DuPont™ Vespel® Polyimide SCP-5000 is unfilled with enhanced mechanical properties and thermal stability.
DuPont™ Vespel® SCP-5009
DuPont™ Vespel® Polyimide SCP-5009 is is graphite filled for high wear and friction applications.
DuPont™ Vespel® SCP-5050
DuPont™ Vespel® Polyimide SCP-5050 bearing and wear grade, for high temperature and wear resistance.
DuPont™ Vespel® SCP-50094
DuPont™ Vespel® Polyimide SCP-50094 for demanding applications that require high temperature and wear resistance.
DUPONT™ VESPEL® IS WIDELY USED FOR:
Semiconductor and material handling machinery
Chip test sockets
Wafer clamping rings
Valve seats and sealing applications
Spline couplings
High performance bearings and bushings
Locking fasteners for aerospace
Pivot bushings on unison ring
PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS:
Long term performance at temperatures
up to 260°C (500°F)
Outstanding sealing characteristics when mated against metals
Excellent unlubricated bearing and wear properties (bearing grades)
Good electrical insulating properties
(unfilled grades)
COMMON BRANDS:
DuPont™ Vespel®
DuPont™ Vespel® for Aerospace Applications
DuPont™ Vespel® has a been specified for critical-service aerospace applications for many decades. The key properties of DuPont™ Vespel® for aerospace components include the material’s ability to maintain moderate modulus and have low stress relaxation throughout a broad temperature range. Filled grades of DuPont™ Vespel® are formulated to have enhanced friction and wear performance when sliding friction is required in service.
Aerospace applications include:
Locking elements for fasteners
Valve seats and seals
Thermal isolators
Bearings
Bushings
Splines
DuPont™ Vespel® for Spacecraft DuPont™
Vespel® has been widely used for spacecraft applications since the early days of space exploration. DuPont™ Vespel® is often specified for insulators, seals, bearings, bushings, rollers, and slide pads that require reliable performance in extreme conditions.
The key advantages of DuPont™ Vespel® for spacecraft applications include:
Grades available that have excellent friction and wear characteristics in vacuum
Maintains ductility and moderate modulus throughout a broad temperature range – from cryogenic to elevated temperatures
Excellent flammability characteristics
Good dimensional stability – low and consistent thermal expansion coefficient throughout a wide operating temperature range
Low outgassing
DuPont™ Vespel® for Semiconductor Machinery
DuPont™ Vespel® is used for a wide variety of semiconductor machinery applications including wafer handling, wafer processing, IC handling, and testing.
The key advantages of DuPont™ Vespel® for semiconductor manufacturing include:
Long wear life • Dimensional stability
Outstanding electrical properties
Chemical resistance • Easier to machine than ceramics
Able to operate reliably at temperatures up to 550 °F (or higher for short duration)
Clean operation, virtually no particulate shedding
Low outgassing
Semiconductor machinery applications include:
Spin chucks
Wafer clamping rings
Insulators • Bearings
Centering pins
Vacuum pads
Wafer guides
Vacuum tips
Die pickup collets •
Test sockets
DuPont™ Vespel® for Scientific Instrumentation
DuPont™ Vespel® is widely used for scientific instrumentation applications.
The key performance advantages of DuPont™ Vespel® for scientific equipment include:
Excellent sealing characteristics
Maintains ductility at cryogenic temperatures
Low outgassing
Gamma and electron beam radiation resistance
Wide operating temperature range
Grades available that have superior friction and wear performance
Low thermal conductivity
Dimensional stability Scientific instrumentation applications include:
Cryogenic thermal insulators
Bearings and bushings
Valve components
Ferrules
Electrical insulators
HPLC components
Components for accelerators
STANDARD SIZES
| SHEET | Dimensions: 12 in x 12 in – 48 in x 96 in |
| Thickness: 0.060 in – 4 in |
| ROD | Outside Diameter: 0.250 in – 6 in |
OPTIONS AVAILABLE
| COLOR | Sheet: Natural, White, Off White, Black, Beige, Dark Gray, Light Gray, RedRod: Natural, Black 0.250 in – 6 in |
| TEXTURE, SURFACE, PATTERN | Level Haircell, Smooth / Smooth, Haircell 1 Side |
| GRADES | General Purpose, Fire-Rated, Machine Grade, UV Resistant, Scratch Resistant |
*Versus carbon steel, steady state, unlubricated, in air, thrust bearing. **PV limits for any given material vary with various combinations of pressure and velocity as well as other conditions.
Explore the physical, mechanical, thermal, electrical and optical properties of DuPont™ Vespel® polyimide.
Sort, compare and find suitable plastic materials for your application using our interactive properties table.
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