When customers ask us about Torlon vs PEEK, they would like to understand performance differences between PAI and PEEK. While both Torlon PAI and PEEK are excellent bearing materials, PAI material may be the better performer depending on the application. When comparing the bearing grades of these materials, Torlon PAI may be a better solution for close tolerance seals or bearings that are exposed to temperatures over 150°C (302°F). The stiffness of PEEK decreases over 150°C and the thermal expansion rate increases. In contrast, Torlon PAI maintains strength and stiffness at elevated temperatures.
This makes TECAPAI an outstanding bearing and seal material at elevated temperatures. In addition, PAI polymer also offers superior compressive strength and higher hardness characteristics that are critical in many bearing and seal applications which typically demand a high level of wear performance. TECAPAI polyamide-imide excels at low and high temperature bearing and seal applications, while PEEK should have a performance edge within a broader range of chemical exposure.
Among other Torlon material properties, PAI polyamide-imide can also offer superior toughness or impact strength. PAI has a much higher heat deflection temperature than PEEK and hence retains higher strength and stiffness at elevated temperature. With PAI having superior stiffness and a lower coefficient of thermal expansion, this means that PAI has the advantage of better dimensional stability at elevated temperatures. However, PAI does absorb moisture, therefore, this also needs to be considered relative to the potential limitations a lack of humidity control could present with regard to dimensional stability. PEEK could end up being the preferable choice in some dimensionally critical situations. PAI has higher tensile and compressive strength in the unreinforced extruded grade which has advantages in some applications.
Both PAI and PEEK offer an excellent combination of properties. PAI may have an edge in tribological performance, strength, thermal stability, and toughness, while PEEK should have a slight advantage with chemical resistance, and is a more ductile material in the extruded unfilled grade. Torlon PAI is proven performer in tough applications.
