For high-temperature applications, you need plastic materials that can resist thermal degradation while maintaining sufficient strength and stiffness at operating temperature. Heat resistant plastics are to the rescue! These materials can exceed 300ºF in continuous operating temperature without compromising their mechanical properties. Choosing the right heat resistant plastic for the job often involves more considerations than just the operating temperature, such as the material’s chemical resistance, friction and wear performance, and tensile strength. Trust Reading Plastic & Metal’s decades of experience and passionate knowledge to guide you to make the right choice to beat the heat.
The Best Heat Resistant Plastics
Here are 5 of the top-performing heat resistant plastics for tough applications:
- Teflon® (PTFE) – Teflon® is most widely known for its non-stick properties as it has one of the lowest coefficients of friction against any solid known to man. But it also has a large operating temperature range, with enough thermal stability to be used between -328ºF and +500ºF without degrading.
- Vespel® – This heat resistant plastic can serve at temperatures up to 550ºF, and can even endure temperatures up to 900ºF for limited periods, without altering its thermal or mechanical properties. Vespel® is also highly resistant to chemical corrosion, has high impact resistance and strength toughness, and provides low friction and superior wear performance.
- Torlon® – Torlon® is a polyamide-imide that offers exceptional long-term strength and stiffness with a continuous service temperature of 500ºF. This makes it an effective alternative to metal for high temperature friction and wear applications. Torlon® is stronger at 400ºF than other engineering resins are at room temperature.
- PEEK – With a melting point over 700ºF, a continuous operating temperature of 500ºF, and superior hardness, PEEK can run in high-load, high-temperature environments without any loss of dimensional properties. PEEK is also resistant to many harsh chemicals and is capable of withstanding wear effects even under harsh physical and chemical conditions.
- Celazole® PBI – In temperatures exceeding 400ºF, Celazole® PBI has the highest heat and wear resistance, as well as the best strength and mechanical property retention, of any engineered polymer available. Celazole® is most recognized for its exceptionally high glass transition temperature of 800ºF and offers better load-carrying capabilities and wear resistance at extreme temperatures than any other reinforced or unreinforced engineering plastic. It has a continuous service capability of 750ºF in inert environments and 650ºF in air, with short-term exposure potential up to 1,000ºF.
Heat Resistant Plastic Applications
Heat resistant plastics are used in a variety of industries in many different ways. For example,
- Aerospace & Automotive Industries: These plastic materials are used for heat and shock resistant components in high-powered machinery.
- Medical Industry: Heat resistant plastics are used for sterilization and hydrolysis-proof components for medical devices as well as radiation proof components for X-ray technologies.
- Semiconductor Industry: Heat resistant plastics are used for heat resistant, emission-proof, highly insulating, and defined conducting components in the semiconductor industry.
For more information on heat resistant plastics and how they can benefit your project, call us today at 610-926-3245!
