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Contents
VESPEL: The material for the new age

45

Todays sophisticated engineering requires parts

that are smaller, lighter and capable of performing
over a wider temperature range. As designs
become more sophisticated, product performance
more demanding and product warranties longer
more engineers turn to DuPonts VESPEL.

An outstanding performer

VESPEL SP polyimide parts offer an outstanding mix of the physical characteristics of metal,
ceramics and plastics, combined with their own
outstanding properties. As a result VESPEL parts
resist wear, fight creep, and practically never
melt

The partnership you can count on

DuPont and VESPEL give you something you

simply dont get from most other materials suppliers custom-made quality parts combined
with professional assistance. Plus single-source
accountability, from resin development
to parts concept and design to finished parts.

VESPEL parts can help improve

your bottom line

89

VESPEL parts-pay

for themselves many times

over by high reliability and low manufacturing
costs, maintenance costs and warranty claims.

VESPEL SP polyimide technical data

VESPEL parts

Unlike most thermoset plastics,

are naturally tough and do not require the addition of abrasive fillers or fibres to enhance part
performance.

10 15

Introduction
Thank you for your interest in
DuPonts VESPEL polyimide
parts. As part of the VESPEL
product team, we look forward
to this opportunity to present
our product and services to
you.

We work to make your product a success from concept

to design, component analysis,
composition selection, prototyping, testing, quality control
and on through production of
commercial parts.

DuPonts VESPEL team has

evolved to uniquely meet the
changing needs of the worldwide marketplace. We offer
you advanced materials and
dedicated professionals:
design engineers, production
engineers well versed in stateof-the-art manufacturing techniques for both resin and parts,
and others dedicated to ensuring that your consistently high
quality VESPEL parts and
shapes get to you on a timely
basis.

This VESPEL brochure is a

collection of articles relating
to the use of VESPEL polyimide
some background on its
development, its applications,
demonstrations of its cost
effectiveness, and details on
some of its technical properties.

We hope this publication

stimulates ideas on how
VESPEL can help you solve
your design challenges. If you
have any questions, comments,
or need additional information
contact us at one of the
offices listed on the back cover.
All VESPEL parts are ISO 9001
and QS 9000 certified.

VESPEL parts deliver an outstanding

combination of properties

VESPEL parts are custom-made by

DuPont from SP polyimide resins
to combine the best characteristics
of plastics, metals and ceramics.
They resist wear, fight creep, and
they practically never melt properties that allow them to survive
a broad range of conditions.

For example, V
parts
provide outstanding wear resistance in lubricated or unlubricated
environments (dry pressure
velocity limits to 12 MPa . m/s,
and even higher with lubrication),
ESPEL

can operate continuously from

cryogenic temperatures to 288 C,
with short-term use to 482 C and
above,
can withstand loads at temperatures beyond the reach of most
other plastics,
have low thermal and electrical
conductivity,
offer sealing compliance but resist
permanent deformation. They
provide a more reliable seal than
many metal-to-metal seals machined to much tighter tolerances,
are easily machined without special equipment or procedures.

VESPEL can be
machined as easily
as brass

While DuPont can supply finished

machined parts, you can easily do
your own machining using VESPEL
shapes.
With standard metal-working equipment, you can machine VESPEL
shapes to tolerances once considered too close for plastic materials.
In most cases, the techniques used
for machining metals such as brass
are directly applicable. VESPEL
shapes are relatively easy to machine
because of their high mechanical
strength, stiffness and dimensional
stability at machining temperatures.
For a complete guide to machining
parts from VESPEL shapes, ask for
a copy of the Design Handbook.

Selector guide VESPEL SP for demanding applications

Grades

Typical End-Use Applications

Polyimide Compositions

SP1

Mechanical and electrical parts at elevated temperatures.

Valve seats, seal, insulators.

Unfilled base resin.

Maximum strength and elongation: lowest modulus and thermal
conductivity: optimum electrical properties.

SP21

For lubricated or non-lubricated, low friction and wear

applications.
Valve seats, seals, bearings, washers, seal rings.

15% graphite (by weight).

Enhances inherent wear resistance, improves long term thermal
stability.

SP22

Applications in which low thermal expansion is more important

than strength (which is slightly reduced).
Bearings (bushings, washers, etc.).

40% graphite (by weight).

Gives low coefficient of thermal expansion.
Maximum creep resistance.

SP211

For low friction and wear applications in moderate temperature

and PV environments.
Bearings (bushings, washers, etc.).

15% graphite and 10% TEFLON fluorocarbon resin (by weight).

Lowest static friction.

SP3

For friction and wear applications in vacuum or inert gases.

Bearings, piston rings and seals.

15% MoS2 (by weight).

Best wear performance in dry environments.

SP221

For low wear applications in non-lube conditions against soft

metals like aluminium, brass, bronze.
Bearings (bushings, washers, etc.)

40% graphite (by weight) and 15% TEFLON fluorocarbon resin.

Lowest wear rate in dry service against soft metals.

SP262

Applications in which low thermal expansion and low coefficient

of friction are more important than strength.
Bushings.

57% graphite (by weight) and 5% carbon fibers.

Lowest coefficient of thermal expansion and highest thermal
conductivity.

VESPEL ST meets tougher challenges ST grades for highest toughness, strength and temperature
Grades

Typical End-Use Applications

Polyimide Compositions

ST2010

For lubricated or non-lubricated, low friction and wear

applications.
Valve seats, seals, bearings, washers, seal rings.

Excellent wear and friction properties combined with good

toughness, strength and insulation properties.
Contains 10% graphite. Highest elongation.

ST2030

Applications in which low thermal expansion is more important

than strength (which is slightly reduced).
Bearings (bushings, washers, etc.).

Lower coefficient of thermal expansion, lower elongation

than ST2010. Contains 30% graphite.
Highest oxidative and thermal stability.

Direct-formed parts for cost savings on larger quantities

Machining parts from VESPEL
shapes is usually the most practical
route to producing small quantities,
prototypes, or parts with highly
complex geometry.
For production quantities of 500
or more, VESPEL parts can often
be most economically fabricated
by the DuPont direct-forming
process.* Direct forming uses powder metallurgy techniques to produce finishe or semifinished parts,
and minimises material wastes.

Machining can often be eliminated.

Long production runs also produce
labour savings which can be passed
along as lower part prices.
The chart below gives an example
of how part cost varies with quantity for an uncomplicated polyimide
ring.

Due to the variety of factors that

arise in determining the most economical fabrication process for an
individual part, you should consult
with a VESPEL sales engineer at the
earliest stage of part design.
* In some cases, depending on part size or complexity,
direct-forming may be economical at even lower
quantities.

Typical VESPEL Part Fabrication Economics

Direct Forming vs Machining from VESPEL Stock Shape

Price per Unit

Parts Machined from VESPEL Rod

Direct-Formed VESPEL Parts

(No Secondary Machining)

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

Order Quantity

VESPEL the material for the new age

Todays sophisticated engineering

requires parts that are smaller, lighter
and capable of performing over a
wider temperature range than ever
before. As designs become more
sophisticated, and product warranties
longer DuPonts VESPEL parts are
being specified more and more often.
The reason is simple. VESPEL parts
exhibit a superior combination of
properties in a variety of applications
requiring low wear and long life in
severe environments.
Since 1963, high-strength, lightweight VESPEL parts have helped
foster the revolution in aircraft
engine design and performance.
Today, many dependable VESPEL
parts are performing in almost every
let engine made in the Western
world. Millions more are operating
successfully in automobiles, large
on- and off-road vehicles, farm
equipment, business machines,
electronic equipment and wherever
else trouble-free performance is
vital to success.
Although they originally adopted
VESPEL as a problem solver,
engineers in a variety of fields now
think VESPEL first to replace

metal, plastic and ceramic parts.

High-performance VESPEL polyimide parts include: rotary seal
rings, thrust washers and thrust
discs, bushings, flanged bearings,
printer platen bars, plungers, printer
wire guides, stripper fingers, spline
couplings, wear strips, locknut
inserts, valve seats, check valve balls,
thermal and electrical insulators.
With plants in the United States,
Belgium and Japan, DuPont manufactures both SP resin and VESPEL
parts within a fully integrated global
manufacturing system.
VESPEL parts made from DuPont
SP polyimide resin are virtually
in a class by themselves. Available
in five compositions (see Technical
Data, pages 1013), VESPEL parts
offer an outstanding combination
of properties: excellent resistance
to extreme heat, good mechanical
strength, good solvent resistance,
low coefficient of friction, high
dielectric strength, excellent dimensional stability, outstanding wear
resistance, sealing compliance, high
compressive strength, outstanding
radiation resistance, low outgassing
for vacuum applications and toughness.

VESPEL quality is worth the investment providing savings through

simplified assembly operations,
increased reliability, extended component life and reduced wear on
mating components. Global manufacturing companies depend on
DuPont and VESPEL to deliver.
These include Bosch, Caterpillar
Chrysler, Ford, General Electric,
General Dynamics, General
Motors, Hitachi, Kodak, Rockwell
International, Toyota and United
Technologies.

The VESPEL parts are custom made

with tiny, debris-free, direct formed
holes as specified. They reduce
wear against the aluminium valve
body and withstand repeated
impact without permanent deformation.

VESPEL valve disc

reduces wear and
withstands impact
A precision 0,38 mm diameter hole
in the VESPEL disc of a transmission
check valve was required to accurately control the bleedback of automatic transmission fluid. Metal
could not be economically drilled
at the required hole diameter.

Customer
complaints decline
with VESPEL seats
In hydraulic pressure relief valves
on farm tractors,VESPEL seats provide a no-leak seal in 135C hydraulic oil while resisting 25,8 MPa
without creep. The VESPEL seats
conform to the balls shape and
reseal even in the presence of particulate contaminants. The VESPEL
seats increase system reliability and
reduce customer complaints.

Self-lubricating VESPEL
stemguide extends life
of pneumatic controls
A VESPEL stem-guide allows a
maker of pneumatic controls to
increase the upper service temperature and extend the reliability of its
top-of-the-line valve. The VESPEL
part performs reliably at 260 C.
It remains self-lubricating, exhibits
a low coefficient of friction even at
the high service temperatures of the
valve, and withstands repeated
impact without deformation.

An outstanding performer
VESPEL SP polyimide parts offer
an outstanding mix of the physical
characteristics of metals, ceramics
and plastics, combined with their
own outstanding properties. VESPEL
parts resist wear, fight creep, and
practically never melt, allowing
them to operate in the demanding
environments of engines, transmissions and high-speed printers.
VESPEL parts perform reliably under
a broad range of conditions, such as:
lubricated or unlubricated environments, at high pressure and /or
velocity, with outstanding wear
resistance. VESPEL parts perform
at pressure velocities (PVs) of up
to 40 MPa . m/s with lubrication
and 12 MPa . m/s without lubrication;
temperatures from cryogenic up
to 288C continuously, with shortterm use to 482 C;
hydraulic, automotive and many
industrial fluids and solvents.
Of course, PV limits and maximum
use temperatures of any material will
vary from application to application
depending upon a number of different factors. Thorough application
testing should be performed to
determine how VESPEL parts will
perform in your application.

VESPEL can be superior

to metals in many ways
VESPEL parts provide reliable sealing, even in contaminated fluids.
Because of their compliance, they
can provide a more reliable seal
than many other sealing systems
machined to much tighter tolerances.
VESPEL parts can also reduce manufacturing costs, such as expensive
hand lapping or secondary grinding.
Further, VESPEL parts weigh less
than metal parts, which can reduce
inertia, allowing for faster movement and change of direction while
minimising damage to mating surfaces and providing quieter operation. VESPEL parts have a low
coefficient of friction and resist
corrosion. They have outstanding
resistance to fatigue and peening
or repetitive impact deformation.
6

VESPEL parts can be superior

to other plastics in many
ways
VESPEL parts have an outstanding
continuous-use temperature range,
excellent dimensional stability and,
unlike most plastics, are non-flammable. VESPEL parts perform without melting or softening and have
high resistance to creep. VESPEL
parts resist radiation more effectively than most other plastics and
possess outstanding compressive
strength. VESPEL parts provide an
effective seal against thin gases and
are also compatible with oxygen.
VESPEL parts exhibit ultra-low
outgassing even in high vacuums.
VESPEL parts do not soften, and
almost never melt. They are chemically compatible with most fuels,
soIvents, lubricants, and hydraulic
fluids. Finally, VESPEL parts exhibit
superior wear resistance compared
to most plastics.

VESPEL parts have three

important advantages
compared to ceramics
VESPEL parts are more compliant
than ceramics. VESPEL parts seal
better at a lower pressure and are
less brittle while exhibiting excellent
dimensional and thermal stability.

VESPEL baffle
increases torch life
L-Tech was dissatisfied with the
performance of the ceramic baffle
in the plasma cutting torches it
manufactures. The electrodes had
to be replaced every eight to ten
hours and, each time, the baffles
were also removed and reinserted.
Many of the ceramic baffles were
damaged or broken in the process.
In their search for a more durable
baffle, engineers tested a variety
of plastics. Only VESPEL SP polyimide parts provided the heat resistance, creep resistance and flexibility necessary for improved torch
operation. The new VESPEL gasswirl baffles lasted more than six
times longer than their predecessors.
They could be handled numerous
times without damage. And the
more compliant VESPEL polyimide
parts can be made with a tighter
clearance than the ceramic parts,
thus providing a tighter seal against
the cutting torchs copper nozzle.
By switching to VESPEL baffles,
L-Tech was able to increase life
of the baffle from approximately
15 to 100 hours.

We also offer a complete line of

standard shapes for machining your
own prototype, as well as low-volume or complex commercial parts.

The partner ship

you can count on
To ensure your success, DuPont and
VESPEL give you something that you
simply dont get from most other
matenals suppliers custom-made
quality parts combined with professional assistance and single-source
accountability from resin development to part concept and design to
finished parts.
The process begins with DuPont
technical consultants. Years of practical experience allow our sales
engineers to recommend ultra highperformance VESPEL parts that not
only fulfill a particular function,
but which can also simplify your
entire assembly. They can help you
make a higher quality, lower cost
product a reality from designing
new components to troubleshooting
existing ones, and from simplifying
part design to helping select the
right resin composition.
The partnership continues with
DuPont design and manufacturing
professionals and tooling experts.
Our production facilities in the
United States, Europe and Japan
have produced hundreds of millions
of custom VESPEL parts tiny to
large, simple to complex, directformed, secondary-machined, or
machined entirely from standard
shapes.

DuPonts high quality manufacture

of SP po yimide resin and VESPEL
parts includes checkpoints at every
step of the production process to
assure consistency. State-of-the-art
Statistical Process Control (SPC) is
employed to meet our consistently
high quality standards and the
requirements of the worlds most
demanding original equipment
manufacturers.
For more than 20 years, DuPonts
VESPEL Parts Team has been
responding to the needs of design
and materials engineers. Come to
DuPont for the quality materials,
parts and the partnership advantage in designing, prototyping,
manufacturing and testing which
will help you meet your toughest
performance challenges.

The inherent lubricity of

VESPEL parts simplified
an entire assembly
This one-piece VESPEL film guide
replaces a complex machined aluminium roller with press-fit ball
bearings. The VESPEL part reduces
machining assembly time, and acts
as its own self-aligning and selflubricating bearing.

VESPEL bearings reduce

service calls and improve
product performance
The toner liquid used in a desktop
copier was leaching the oil from
porous bronze bushings, causing
increased wear in the bearing. The
oil was contaminating the toner
and ruining the quality of the copies.
VESPEL bearings eliminate the
need for lubrication and provide
excellent wear characteristics.

VESPEL parts can help

improve your profitability

For years, designers have turned

to DuPont for VESPEL parts when
other materials have failed. Today,
theyre turning to VESPEL parts for
another critical reason to cut overall costs from the start.

In nearly everx case, VESPEL parts

pay for themselves many times
over by keeping reliability high
and manufacturing costs, maintenance costs and warranty claims
low. VESPEL parts can make possible the following:
Parts consolidation. Often, the
function of two or more existing
parts can be combined in a single
VESPEL piece, as with flanged
bushings.
Machining costs elimination.
VESPEL parts can often be directformed to fit a specific application,
eliminating the need for costly
machining.
Capital equipment life extension.
With their unique combination of
properties, VESPEL parts help preserve the life of critical capital
equipment, such as sophisticated
office machines or heavy machinery. In fact VESPEL parts provide
increased service life and reliability
in the transmissions of rigorously
operated vehicles such as heavy
trucks and buses, as well as in automobiles.
Maintenance and warranty claims
minimisation. The ability of VESPEL
parts to work in critical environments
without or with only marginal lubrication can reduce mamtenance and
increase reliability.

VESPEL parts are custom-made by

DuPont to meet the stringent quality
requirements of the worlds most
demanding original equipment
manufacturers part to part and
order to order. Our Statistical Process Control (SPC) procedure makes
it possible to produce consistently
high-quality parts at lower cost
compared with conventional process
control methods. The accuracy of
SPC even permits some customers
to eliminate their own inspection
of incoming parts for a substantial
cost savings.

Although VESPEL parts may have

higher initial costs than some other
materials, they can save money over
time. Consistent quality, dependable
performance, longer life and reduced
warranty and maintenance costs
have proven that VESPEL parts are
the most effective solution for many
manufacturers and end users.

VESPEL disc helps save

supermarkets money
with improved
refrigeration efficiency
Copeland Corporation spent several
years looking for a material to meet
the requirements of a new refrigeration compressor valve system. Many
metals and plastics were tested

none of them had the combination

of creep, fatigue and wear resistance
at high cylinder temperatures which
VESPEL provided. Even after
extended service, the VESPEL disc
showed only the slightest wear,
fatigue and creep and the disc surface was not abraded by metal or
dirt particles. Each VESPEL disc
is expected to last for 15 years. The
VESPEL parts allowed Copeland to
design a compressor which will cut
a food stores electrical costs for
refrigeration by 10 to 20 per cent.

VESPEL seal rings help

reduce manufacturing
costs in many ways
Toughness and flexibility make them
easier to assemble than cast iron,
eliminating the need for special
assembly fixtures. And there is less
breakage, especially with smaller
diameter seal rings. In addition,
sufficient stiffness helps keep
VESPEL seal rings from bending
out of shape and being cut during
assembly often a problem with
rings of PTFE. VESPEL parts are
compliant, so mating parts can have
wider tolerances and rougher surfaces, thereby reducing machining
costs. Finally, VESPEL can function
as a bearing surface as well as
a seal providing the possibility
of added design economies.

VESPEL rings save

millions by stopping
chrome-on-chrome wear
Compressor bleed-valve life was
increased by 50% in a U.S. Air
Force programme to replace chromeplated steel piston rings with VESPEL
SP rings. Friction between the metal
rings and chrome-plated cylinders
was causing premature failure on
J-57 and TF-33 jet engines. Engineers selected VESPEL rings to
replace the chrome piston rings
after tests showed that they could
withstand up to 205 000 cycles at
temperatures above 315 C without
failing. The VESPEL rings cost far
less than traditional carbon piston
rings. An estimated $ 2.7 million
reduction in maintenance costs is
anticipated.

VESPEL seal rings help

reduce warranty costs
by extending service life
of equipment
VESPEL parts can help machinery
last longer in two important ways:
by reducing wear and by withstanding the extreme temperatures created by the high pressure /velocities
(PVs) of severe operating conditions
or marginal lubrication. They outperform many other materials in
dusty or contaminated environments,
and work well in transmission and
hydraulic fluids.

SP polyimide, developed by DuPont,

has a unique combination of properties which makes it the ideal solution for a variety of applications.
Please note that all of the property
data discussed in this brochure are
based upon laboratory tests and / or
performance of VESPEL parts in
specific applications. The maximum
use temperature, PV limit and other
performance parameters of virtually
all engineering materials will vary
somewhat from application to application and between laboratory data
and actual applications, depending
upon a number of factors intrinsic
to each application. Therefore the
only way to determine how VESPEL
parts will perform in your application is to test them in your
application.

Technical discussion of
the properties of VESPEL
Dimensional stability
VESPEL parts made from DuPont
SP polyimide resin exhibit excellent
overall dimensional stability compared to other plastics due to a
combination of outstanding key properties. Most important is the fact
that VESPEL parts have no observable softening or melting point.
Other contributors to VESPELs
excellent dimensional stability
include low coefficient of thermal
expansion (some grades are comparable to aluminium), and excellent
resistance to creep and repetitive
impact deformation.
This stability allows VESPEL parts
to be machined to tolerances once
thought to be too tight for plastics
and even allows VESPEL to be used
as moulded-in inserts in injection
mouldable thermoplastic parts.
This stability also means that your
VESPEL parts will maintain their
dimensions and functionality under
some of the harshest operating
conditions.
10

VESPEL combines this excellent

dimensional stability with a high
degree of toughness not found in
some of the more traditional dimensionally stable polymers.

Temperature resistance
VESPEL parts almost never melt,
and can operate continuously from
cryogenic temperatures to 288 C
with excursions to 482 C. Owing
to superior thermal stability, VESPEL
parts maintain consistently high
performance, even when subjected
to high temperatures for extended
periods.
Many physical properties of VESPEL,
such as tensile strength, elongation,
flexural modulus and compressive
strength, may be comparable to
those of some high-performance
polymers at room temperature. But
VESPELs excellent retention of
these properties at both very high
and very low temperatures, even
after extended service at extreme
temperatures, makes VESPEL the
high-performance choice for applications involving operation at other
than room temperature.

Wear resistance
Like many other plastics, VESPEL
parts provide corrosion-resistant,
gall-resistant, low-wear and lowfriction surfaces even in nonlubricated environments. But that
is where the similarities end.
VESPEL parts wont melt or soften
even at 482 C. They have excellent oxidative stability and creep
resistance. This helps VESPEL parts
deliver consistently superior wear
performance over a broad temperature range even when the temperature at the bearing interface is substantially higher than ambient, due
to the frictional heat generated by
operating at high pressures and /or
velocities.

VESPEL bearings have performed

at up to 12 MPa . m/s, unlubricated,
and up to 40 MPa . m/s, lubricated.
VESPEL parts are naturally tough
and dont require the addition of
abrasive fillers or fibres to enhance
part performance. This reduces
wear of the mating surface. The
superior oxidative ability of VESPEL
is also an advantage when compared
with thermosets.

Wear factor and friction

coefficient for unlubricated
operation against mild
carbon steel
Wear Factor, K 10-6 mm3/Nm

2,5
SP211

2,0
1,5
1,0
0,67
0,5

SP21

100

200

300

400

500

Temperature, C
Coefficient of Friction ()

VESPEL SP polyimide technical data

0,4

Friction

0,3
0,2
0,1
SP211

SP21

0,0
100 150 200

300

Temperature, C

400

500

Sealing compliance

Low outgassing

Direct-formed VESPEL parts

V
valve seats, poppets and
balls provide sealing compliance
while resisting permanent deformation. This means that VESPEL
parts can provide positive seals
even in fluids containing particulate
contaminants. And they can provide
more reliable seals than metal-tometal seals machined to much tighter
tolerances a feature which can
reduce manufacturing costs by
eliminating the need for expensive
hand-lapping of the mating surface.

Weight loss in vacuum at high temperatures is low for VESPEL parts.

In tests run by NASA in high vacuum, VESPEL samples, which were
first dried at 93 C to remove water,
had a weight loss rate of less than
1010 grammes / cm2 / s at temperatures below 260 C.

While VESPEL shapes are easy to

machine, direct forming is often the
most economical process by which
to produce parts, especially if you
require more than 500 to 1000
VESPEL parts per year.

ESPEL

VESPEL parts are tough. During

an application test of valve seats
designed to test the failure limit of
valve components, the pressure on
a carbide ball in a VESPEL seat was
increased to levels far beyond normal operating conditions, until the
ball was finally forced through the
VESPEL seat. However, in subsequent testing on that same VESPEL
valve seat, the seat had recovered
sufficiently to still provide a positive
seal at normal operating pressures
for that system.

Radiation resistance
V
parts perform well in radioactive environments, even at relatively high dosage rates. At exposure
levels up to and including 1 10 8
rads of gamma radiation, VESPEL
bars displayed less than 1,0% weight
loss*. At exposure levels up to and
including 1 10 8 rads of electron
beam radiation, VESPEL bars displayed less than 2,0% weight loss*.
ESPEL

* This represents the mean of a group of treated samples

compared to bars receiving no radiation exposure.

Fabricating VESPEL

Machining
VESPEL shapes are relatively easy
to machine because of their inherent
mecanical strength, stiffness and
dimensional stability at machining
temperatures. In addition, they can
be machined with standard metalworking equipment to produce parts
to tolerances once considered too
close for plastic materials. In most
cases, the techniques used in machining brass are directly applicable.

11

Summary of typical properties SP polyimide resins (SI units)

Property
Tensile strength

Flexural strength

DF

DF

DF

23

D-1708 MPa

86,2

72,4

65,5

62,0

51,7

48,3

44,8

51,7

58,5

or E8

41,4

36,5

37,9

30,3

23,4

26,2

24,1

24,1

D-1708 %

7,5

7,5

4,5

5,5

3,0

2,5

3,5

5,5

260

or E8

6,0

7,0

3,0

5,2

2,0

2,0

3,0

5,3

23

D-790

110,3

82,7

110,3

82,7

89,6

62,1

68,9

68,9

75,8

62,1

44,8

62,0

48,3

44,8

37,9

34,5

34,5

39,9

3102

2482

3792

3171

4826

4826

3102

2758

3275

1724

1448

2551

1792

2758

2758

1379

1379

1862

23

23

D-790

MECHANICAL

23

Compressive modulus

23

D-695

MPa
MPa

4,0

MPa
24,8 24,1* 29,0 22,8* 31,7
133,1 112,4* 133,1 104,8* 112,4
51,0 33,1* 45,5 33,8* 41,4

24,1* 20,7
93,8* 102,0
25,5* 37,2

14,5* 34,5
75,8* 127,6
27,6*

MPa

2413

2413* 2895

2654* 2068

1379* 2413

23
260
23
260

MPa

55,8
26,2
42,1
16,5

46,2
22,8
32,4
16,5

Flexural fatigue, endurance limit

at 103 cycles
at 107 cycles

23
23

MPa

65,5
44,8

65,5
44,8

Shear strength

23

D-732

MPa

89,6

77,2

Izod notched impact strength

23

D-256

J/m

42,7

42,7

21,3

Izo, unnotched impact strength

23

D-256

J/m

747

320

112

Poissons ratio

23

0,41

0,41

Axial fatigue, endurance limit

at 103 cycles

D-695

m/s
1010

Wear rate
WEAR AND FRICTION

SP3

Compressive stress
at ,1% strain
at ,10% strain
at 0,1% strain

at 107 cycles

Friction coefficient**
PV = 0,875 MPa . m/s
PV = 3,5 MPa . m/s

2275* 3275

1785 1785 6,30

6,30

4,20

4,20

4,90

4,90

1723

0,29

0,24
0,12

0,30
0,09

0,30
0,09

0,12
0,08

0,12
0,08

0,25
0,17

0,29

0,24
0,12

In vacuum

0,03

Static in air
Coefficient of linear expansion
THERMAL

SP211

DF

260

Thermal conductivity

0,35
23 to 260 D-696
62 to +23
40

Specific heat
Deformation under 14 MPa load
Deflection temperature at 2 MPa

m/m/C

54
45

W/m .C

0,35

0,30
50

49
34

0,27
41

38

0,20
27

54

41

52

0,29*

0,87

0,46*

1,73

0,89*

0,76

0,42*

0,47

0,20

0,10

0,17

0,08

0,14

0,13

0,29

0,12

J/kg/C 1130
50

D-621

0,14

D-648

~360

All the above information is subject to the disclaimer printed on the back page of this document.

12

SP22

260
Flexural modulus

SP21

ASTM
method Units

260
Strain at break

SP1

Temp.
C

~360

ELECTRICAL

Property

Temp. ASTM
C
method Units

Dielectric constant
at 102 Hz
at 104 Hz
at 106 Hz

23

Dissipation factor
at 102 Hz
at 104 Hz
at 106 Hz

23

OTHER PROPERTIES

Dielectric strength
short time 2 mm thick

SP21

DF

SP22
DF

SP211
DF

SP3
DF

D150
3,62
3,64
3,55

13,53
13,28
13,41

0,0018
0,0036
0,0034

0,0053
0,0067
0,0106

D150

D149

MV/m

10 -10

1015-1016

Volume resistivity

23

D257

.m

Surface resistivity

23

D257

D570

Water absorption
24 h
48 h
Equilibrium, 50% RH

SP1

23
50

Specific gravity

D792

Oxygen index

D2863

22

9,84

14

15

1012-1013

0,24
0,72
1,0-1,3

0,19
0,57
1,0-1,3 0,8-1,1

0,8-1,1

1,43

1,34

1,42

53

1,51

0,14
0,42
1,65

0,21
0,49
1,56

1,55

0,23
0,65
1,46

1,60

49

Machined tensile specimens made per D1708 and direct-formed specimens made per figure 19 of E-8
(standard bar for powdered metallurgy products); specimens tested by D638.

Remark:

* Direct-formed (DF) properties marked with asterisk were measured parallel to the forming direction.
All other direct-formed properties were measured perpendicular to the forming direction. Machined (M)
properties are non-directional.

DF: Parts obtained by Direct Forming process.

M: Parts machined out of shapes material.

Unlubricated in air (PV 0,875 MPa . m/s).

** Steady state, unlubricated in air.

All the above information is subject to the disclaimer printed on the back page of this document.

13

Preliminary properties of new SP polyimide resins

Temp.
C

ASTM
Method

Tensile strength

23
260

Strain at break

MECHANICAL

Property

SP221 SP262
Units

DF

DF

D638
or E8

MPa

38,6

37,9
19,3

23
260

D638
or E8

3,5

1
0,7

Flexural strength

23
260

D790

MPa

55,1
31

Flexural modulus

23
260

D790

MPa

3445
2205

Tensile modulus

23
260

D638
or E8

MPa

D695

MPa

Compressive stress
Ultimate
Ultimate
at 1% strain
at 1% strain
at 10% strain
at 10% strain
Compressive modulus

8410
3720

23
260
23
260
23
260
23
260

Specific gravity

D695

MPa

D732
MPa . m/s

PV limit

111,7
57
14,5

100
59
40
21,4
78,6
46,5

1412
790

2860
1790

1,6

1,74

10,5

10,5

THERMAL

WEAR AND FRICTION

Coefficient of friction
PV = 0,875 MPa . m/s
PV = 3,5 MPa . m/s

0,10-0,14
0,05-0,08

Wear factor
PV = 0,875 MPa . m/s
PV = 3,5 MPa . m/s

mm3/Nm
10 6

Wear and friction against 6061 Wrought Aluminium

PV = 0,875 MPa . m/s
Coefficient of friction
.
PV = 0,875 MPa m/s
Wear rate VESPEL / Metal
Wear and friction against ADC 12 Diecast Aluminium
PV = 0,5 MPa . m/s
Coefficient of friction
PV = 0,5 MPa . m/s
Wear rate VESPEL / Metal
.
PV = 4,7 MPa m/s
Coefficient of friction
PV = 4,7 MPa . m/s
Wear rate VESPEL / Metal
Coefficient of lineal thermal expansion
Perpendicular
Parallel

mm/s 10

mm/s 10 6
mm/s 10 6
D696

0,21
2,3/0
0,15
1,2/0
0,12
3,7/0,3

m/m . C

23-300
23-300

29

13,1
48,9

Thermal conductivity

23
200

W/m . K

2,46
1,98

Specific heat

23
40

J/kg . K

792
837

Note: SP221 and SP262 Stock Shapes are not yet available.
All the above information is subject to the disclaimer printed on the back page of this document.

14

0,44
0,66

Typical properties of Direct-Formed VESPEL ST parts

ST2010

ST2030

Units

DF

DF

D638

MPa

68
49
32
26

57

23
150
260
300

D638

10,0
10,0
9,8
9,7

4,9

Tensile modulus

23

D638

MPa

2758

3930

Izod notched impact strength

23

D256

J/m

53

D695

MPa

Temp.
C

ASTM
Method

Tensile strength

23
150
260
300

Strain at break
MECHANICAL

Property

ELECTRICAL

Compressive strength
1% strain
10% strain
ultimate

23

155
1207

Compressive modulus

23

D695

MPa

1827

Dielectric strength

23

D149

kV/mm

10,4

Dielectric constant
100 Hz
10 kHz
1 MHz

23

D150

Dissipation factor
100 Hz
10 kHz
1 MHz

23

Volume resistivity

23

D257

ohm . cm

3,2 1016 4,8 107

Surface resistivity

23

D257

ohm

2,0 1016 2,6 106

23

F433

[W . cm/cm2 . C]
10 3
5,0

9,7

Coefficient of linear thermal expansion

23260

D696

/m/C

48

32

Water absorption % change (weight),

24 h
48 h

23

D570

1,3
3,1

0,5
1,3

Deformation under 14 MPa load

23
50

D621

Specific gravity

23

D272

4,80
4,78
4,70

300
110
40,6

0,0014
0,0023
0,0075

6,90
0,65
0,30

D150

Thermal conductivity
MISCELLANEOUS

15
82
269

0,18
0,38
1,38

1,44

Note: ST Stock Shapes are not yet available.

All the above information is subject to the disclaimer printed on the back page of this document.

15

Curbell Plastics is a proud supplier

of DuPontTM Vespel Polyimide Shapes
Nationwide

1.888.CURBELL

www.curbellplastics.com

For further information on Engineering Polymers contact:

Internet location: http://dupont.com/vespel
EUROPE
Belgique / Belgi
Du Pont de Nemours (Belgium)
BVBA-SPRL
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Tel. (015) 44 15 27
Telefax (015) 44 14 08
Deutschland
Du Pont de Nemours
(Deutschland) GmbH
DuPont Strae 1
D-61343 Bad Homburg
Tel. (06172) 87 0
Telefax (06172) 87 27 01
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Edificio LIlla
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Telefax (3) 227 62 00
France
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Tel. (01) 45 50 65 50
Telefax (01) 47 53 09 67

Italia
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Tel. (02) 25 30 21
Telefax (02) 25 30 23 06
sterreich
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e-mail : [email protected]
internet : www.interowa.at
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Telefax (061) 322 47 81
Internet : www.dolder.com

ASIA-PACIFIC
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Tel. 03-5434-6989
Telefax 03-5434-6982
Taiwan /China
DuPont Taiwan Limited
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Telefax (302) 733-8137

United Kingdom
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Tel. (01442) 34 65 00
Telefax (01442) 24 94 63

The information provided in this documentation corresponds to our knowledge on the subject at the date of its publication. This information may be subject
to revision as new knowledge and experience becomes available. The data provided fall within the normal range of product properties and relate only to the
specific material designated; these data may not be valid for such material used in combination with any other materials or additives or in any process, unless
expressly indicated otherwise. The data provided should not be used to establish specification limits nor used alone as the basis of design; they are not intended
to substitute for any testing you may need to conduct to determine for yourself the suitability of a specific material for your particular purposes. Since DuPont
cannot anticipate all variations in actual end-use conditions DuPont makes no warranties and assumes no liability in connection with any use of this information. Nothing in this publication is to be considered as a license to operate under or a recommendation to infringe any patent rights.
Caution: Do not use this product in medical applications involving permanent implantation in the human body. For other medical applications see DuPont
Medical Caution Statement.

H-34480

06.02

Registered trademarks of E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company

Printed in Switzerland