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Material Description
Vespel® is a high performance Polyimide material which is formed from resin manufactured only by DuPont. Polyimide materials are characterized by a ring-shaped molecular structure containing Nitrogen. Vespel® is one of the highest performing engineering plastics currently available. Vespel® will not melt and can operate continuously from cryogenic temperatures to 550°F (288°C), with excursions to 900°F (482°C). Vespel® parts consistently exhibit superior performance in a variety of applications requiring low wear and long life in severe.
Notable Material Features
- Excellent temperature resistance
- High wear resistance (especially SP-21)
- Dimensionally stable
- Resistant to radiation
- Extremely low out gassing
- Relatively easy to machine
Grades of Vespel®
Vespel® (SP-1)
Vespel® SP-1 is the unfilled base resin grade. Vespel® SP-1 provides maximum physical strength, elongation, and toughness, as well as the best electrical and thermal insulation values. Typical applications include spacers, high-temp fixtures, valve seats, balls, gaskets, insulators, and seals.
Vespel® (SP-21)
Vespel® SP-21 has 15% graphite by weight added to the base resin. Vespel® SP-21 has increased wear resistance and reduced friction in applications such as bearings, thrust washers, bushings, seal rings, slide blocks, and other wear applications. Vespel® SP-21 has the highest mechanical properties of the graphite filled grades.
Vespel® (SP-22)
Vespel® SP-22 has 40% graphite by weight. Vespel® SP-22 has enhanced wear resistance, lower friction, improved dimensional stability (low coefficient of thermal expansion), and improved stability against oxidation. Typical uses are the same as those for Vespel® SP-21.
Vespel® (SP-211)
Vespel® SP-21 has 10% PTFE and 15% graphite by weight added to the base resin for the lowest coefficient of friction over a wide range of operating conditions. It also has excellent wear resistance up to 300°F (149°C). Typical applications include sliding bearings, linear bearings, and many of the wear and friction uses listed above.
Vespel® (SP-3)
Vespel® SP-3 is 15% molybdenum disulfide solid lubricant filled for wear and friction resistance in vacuum and other moisture-free where graphite actually becomes abrasive. Typical applications include seals, bushings, bearings, gears, and other wear surfaces in outer space, ultra-high vacuum, and dry gas applications.
Some of the Polyimide parts we machine are:
- Back-up Rings
- Balls
- Blocks
- Bushings
- Cams
- Caps
- Guides
- Medical Parts
- Nozzles
- Pads
- Parts
- Plugs
- Rings
- Rods
- Rollers
- Seals
- Semiconductor Parts
- Sheaves
- Spacers
- Supports
- Valve Seats
- Washers
- Wear Pads