PI plastic - Polyimide

PI material is a non-melting high temperature polymer. PI polymers are characterised by an unusually complex property profile with many outstanding individual properties and are at the top of the materials pyramid. They are always used when conventional thermoplastics, ceramics or metals fail. This is because excellent temperature resistance, high mechanical strength and dimensional stability remain high even in continuous use and under mechanical stress.

With excellent friction and wear properties, even when unlubricated and under high pV loads, polyimide material is also ideal for demanding tribological applications. PI Polyimide applications can be found in many industries. High purity and low outgassing behaviour are additional advantages for applications in the aerospace, vacuum and semiconductor industries.

Polyimides are manufactured by polycondensation. Due to the high proportion of ring-shaped, mostly aromatic chain links and high molecular weights, polyimides are always infusible. They are therefore processed exclusively by sintering techniques.

As a polyimide manufacturer and supplier, Ensinger offers a wide range of polyimide solutions. This includes PI semi-finished products such as polyimide sheets, rods and tubes as well as polyimide powder. In addition, directly formed polyimide finished parts can be produced cost-effectively using the direct forming process in quantities of 1000 parts or more. Polyimide machining according to your drawings is also possible.

Polyimides are often known under the brand name Vespel, but at Ensinger they are known under the trade name TECASINT. 

Ensinger supplies sintered polyimides as semi-finished products in the following forms in many different dimensions.

• Polyimide sheet / plate
• Polyimide rod
• Polyimide tube

Vespel^® is a trademark of DuPont de Nemours, Inc.

Due to the different chemical structures of the PI Polymers, the individual materials can each be assigned to a TECASINT product family. Each family offers different properties and benefits for different applications and industries:

Depending on the application, we offer the following modifications:

All common materials, modifications and dimensions are available from stock. In addition, we manufacture special dimensions on customer request.

Polyimide can be used in a wide temperature range from -270 °C to 350 °C. It retains its strength and dimensional stability and creep resistance even at high temperatures above 260 °C and achieves impressive heat resistance values of up to 470 °C (HDT/A). 

Further polyimide material properties are:

• Long-term thermal stability 300 °C (short term up to 400 °C)
• High heat resistance up to 470 °C (HDT/A)
• Good cryogenic properties down to -270 °C
• High strength, modulus and stiffness even at temperatures above 260 °C
• Excellent wear resistance even under high pressure and high speeds
• Excellent thermal and electrical insulation
• Low thermal conductivity
• High purity, low outgassing in vacuum according to ESA regulation ECSS-Q-70-02
• Good machinability
• Good chemical resistance to acids, greases and solvents
• Inherently flame retardant
• Resistant to high-energy radiation

• Bearing elements, bushings, bearing cages, piston rings and guide elements for tribological applications and mechanical engineering
• Thermal and electrical insulation components in mechanical engineering and the electrical engineering and semicon industries
• Hot glass handling parts in the glass industry
• Seals and valve seats
• Aerospace applications
• Production equipment for semiconductor manufacturing
• IC test sockets
• Radiation and chemical resistant valve seals
• Vacuum technology
• Cryogenic components down to -270 °C