PI 15% MoS2
Additive grade
also Kapton, Vespel
15% MoS2 = 15% MoS₂ filled
Use in vacuum, dry gas or inert atmospheres where graphite loses lubricity (moisture-free wear).
Values for the 15% MoS2 condition
Other PI grades and fills
PI is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at PI.
Compare all 6 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
15% Graphite + 10% PTFE (Vespel SP-211) | Pick for the lowest dry coefficient of friction and best start-up/oscillating unlubricated sliding performance. | — | 44 | 3.5 | 85 Shore D |
40% Graphite filled | Choose for the best dimensional stability, lowest CTE and highest thermal conductivity in high-load/high-speed bearings and seal rings. | — | 52 | 3 | 115 HRM |
15% MoS2This page 15% MoS₂ filled | Use in vacuum, dry gas or inert atmospheres where graphite loses lubricity (moisture-free wear). | — | 62 | 4 | 87 Shore D |
15% Graphite filled | Standard bearing/wear grade: lower friction and wear rate than SP-1 with better dimensional stability, no longer an insulator. | — | 65 | 4.5 | 110 HRM |
Thermoplastic polyimide, injection-moldable | Use when complex net-shape parts must be injection molded and 240–260 °C service is enough; melt-processable unlike Kapton/Vespel PI. | — | 92 | 40 | — |
30% carbon-fiber reinforced polyimide | Choose for maximum stiffness, creep resistance and lowest CTE in structural high-temperature parts. | — | 100 | 2 | — |
What is PI 15% MoS2?
PI 15% MoS2 is PI in the 15% MoS2 grade — use in vacuum, dry gas or inert atmospheres where graphite loses lubricity (moisture-free wear). PI 15% MoS2 has a tensile strength of 62 MPa (8.99 ksi), stronger than 70% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 3.8 GPa (0.551 Msi). PI 15% MoS2 has a density of 1.6 g/cm³ (0.0578 lb/in³), heavier than 92% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 385°C (725 °F).
Advantages
- High service temperature — 260°C (500 °F), better than 97% of polymer grades
- Conducts heat well — 0.42 W/m·K (0.243 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 95% of polymer grades
- Stiff — 3.8 GPa (0.551 Msi), better than 85% of polymer grades
- Good UV / weathering resistance — 60/100, better than 80% of polymer grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 13 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 93% of polymer grades
- Heavy — 1.6 g/cm³ (0.0578 lb/in³), worse than 92% of polymer grades
- Limited formability — 8/100, worse than 91% of polymer grades
- Difficult to weld — 5/100, worse than 89% of polymer grades
- Limited ductility — 4%, worse than 78% of polymer grades
PI 15% MoS2 properties
Typical room-temperature values for PI 15% MoS2; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are PI reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical5
PI 15% MoS2 has a density of 1.6 g/cm³ (0.0578 lb/in³), heavier than 92% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 385°C (725 °F).
Mechanical15
PI 15% MoS2 has a tensile strength of 62 MPa (8.99 ksi), stronger than 70% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 3.8 GPa (0.551 Msi).
Thermal10
PI 15% MoS2 is rated for continuous service to 260°C (500 °F). It conducts heat at 0.42 W/m·K (0.243 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 95% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 52 µm/m·K (28.9 µin/in·°F).
Electrical6
PI 15% MoS2 is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 22 kV/mm (558.8 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹⁰ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (82/100), better than 56% of polymer grades. UV resistance is good.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PI 15% MoS2 takes about 290 MJ of energy and emits 13 kg of CO₂ — more than 95% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability4
PI 15% MoS2's machinability is good (58/100, worse than 55% of polymer grades); weldability not recommended (5/100); formability not recommended (8/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with PI 15% MoS2
Is PI easy to machine?
Machines dry with sharp polished carbide (PCD for graphite/CF grades), light feeds and good chip clearance; brittle at edges so avoid sharp internal corners and stress-relieve/anneal after heavy cuts.
Can PI be welded?
Not weldable — non-melting (except TPI grades); join by high-temperature epoxy/polyimide adhesive, press-fit or mechanical fastening.
Can PI be formed, bent or molded?
Kapton-type film is cast/extruded and can be laminated or thermoformed only slightly; Vespel-type stock is direct-formed (isostatic pressing + sintering) and then machined; only thermoplastic PI can be injection molded (melt 400–420 °C, mold 180–230 °C, dry resin thoroughly).
What surface finishes work on PI?
Amber natural color needs no coating; can be plasma/alkaline-etch activated for metallization and adhesive bonding; polishes to a fine matte finish, no paint/anodize required.
PI chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| graphite15 % in SP-21, 40 % in SP-22 | 0 – 40 | 0 |
| PTFE10 % in SP-211 | 0 – 10 | 0 |
| MoS215 % in SP-3 (vacuum grade) | 0 – 15 | 0 |
| carbon fiberstructural CF-reinforced grades | 0 – 40 | 0 |
| polyimide resin (PMDA–ODA type aromatic pyromellitic dianhydride + 4,4'-oxydianiline backbone; unfilled default grade | balance | — |
PI 15% MoS2 — frequently asked
What is PI 15% MoS2 used for?
PI 15% MoS2 is typically used for wire and cable insulation film, aerospace and satellite structural parts, unlubricated bushings and thrust washers, seal rings and piston rings for high-temperature service, semiconductor process components and flexible circuit substrates. In short: ultimate aerospace performance.
What is the tensile strength of PI 15% MoS2?
PI 15% MoS2 has a typical tensile strength of 62 MPa (8.99 ksi) — stronger than 70% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is PI 15% MoS2 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, worse than 55% of polymer grades). Machines dry with sharp polished carbide (PCD for graphite/CF grades), light feeds and good chip clearance; brittle at edges so avoid sharp internal corners and stress-relieve/anneal after heavy cuts.
Can PI 15% MoS2 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (5/100). Not weldable — non-melting (except TPI grades); join by high-temperature epoxy/polyimide adhesive, press-fit or mechanical fastening.
What surface finishes work on PI 15% MoS2?
Amber natural color needs no coating; can be plasma/alkaline-etch activated for metallization and adhesive bonding; polishes to a fine matte finish, no paint/anodize required.
Can PI 15% MoS2 be formed, bent or molded?
Kapton-type film is cast/extruded and can be laminated or thermoformed only slightly; Vespel-type stock is direct-formed (isostatic pressing + sintering) and then machined; only thermoplastic PI can be injection molded (melt 400–420 °C, mold 180–230 °C, dry resin thoroughly).
What is the maximum service temperature of PI 15% MoS2?
PI 15% MoS2 is rated for continuous use to about 260°C (500 °F), and briefly to 480°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in PI 15% MoS2?
Yes — PI 15% MoS2 is available for CNC machining, sheet metal and injection molding with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- Vespel SP-1 / SP-21 / SP-22 / SP-211 / SP-3 polyimide parts and shapes design handbook — DuPont (2021)
- Kapton HN polyimide film — summary of properties — DuPont (2022)
- Duratron PI / CU60 polyimide stock shapes datasheet — Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials (2022)
- Meldin 7001 / 7211 / 7220 polyimide datasheets — Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics (2021)
- AURUM thermoplastic polyimide product guide — Mitsui Chemicals (2020)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 2: Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.