TP-PI
ISO PI · also Kapton, Vespel
Highest-temperature-capable melt-processable engineering thermoplastic family, offering continuous use above 240°C, excellent chemical/radiation resistance and low outgassing; typically processed by compression molding or sintering rather than standard injection molding.
Reference datasheet — TP-PI is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
TP-PI grades and fills
TP-PI is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 6 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
15 % graphite + 10 % PTFE low-friction grade (SP-211 type) | Pick for the lowest start-up friction in unlubricated sliding contact at moderate loads and temperatures below ~230 °C. | 52 | 4 | ||
15 % molybdenum disulfide filled | Pick for wear parts running in vacuum, dry gas or cryogenic service where graphite loses its lubricity. | 60 | 3.5 | ||
15 % graphite filled bearing grade | Pick for dry-running bushings, thrust washers and seal rings where low friction and high PV at 250 °C+ matter more than strength. | 66 | 4.5 | 95 HRM | |
Carbon/graphite loaded static-dissipative grade | Pick for wafer-handling and electronics tooling that must bleed charge (10^4–10^9 Ω/sq) while surviving 240 °C. | 90 | 95 | 3 | 90 Shore D |
30 % glass-fiber reinforced | Pick when high stiffness, creep resistance and dimensional stability to ~300 °C are needed while keeping electrical insulation. | 165 | 3 | 108 HRM | |
30 % carbon-fiber reinforced | Pick for maximum stiffness/strength-to-weight, low CTE, better heat dissipation and static-dissipative behaviour in structural high-temperature parts. | 210 | 2 | 110 HRM |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways TP-PI is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
UnfilledDefault | Unfilled / Natural | Standard supply |
What is TP-PI?
Highest-temperature-capable melt-processable engineering thermoplastic family, offering continuous use above 240°C, excellent chemical/radiation resistance and low outgassing; typically processed by compression molding or sintering rather than standard injection molding. TP-PI has a density of 1.33 g/cm³ (0.048 lb/in³), heavier than 73% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 250°C (482 °F). TP-PI has a yield strength of 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 92 MPa (13.3 ksi) — stronger than 91% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 40% and the elastic modulus is 2.9 GPa (0.421 Msi).
What is TP-PI used for?
- Semiconductor wafer-handling components
- Aerospace seals and bushings
- High-temperature electrical insulators
- Piston rings in jet engines
Advantages
- High service temperature — 240°C (464 °F), better than 92% of polymer grades
- High strength — 90 MPa (13.1 ksi), better than 91% of polymer grades
- Conducts heat well — 0.29 W/m·K (0.168 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 80% of polymer grades
- Good UV / weathering resistance — 60/100, better than 80% of polymer grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 15 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 96% of polymer grades
TP-PI properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical6
TP-PI has a density of 1.33 g/cm³ (0.048 lb/in³), heavier than 73% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 250°C (482 °F).
Mechanical17
TP-PI has a yield strength of 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 92 MPa (13.3 ksi) — stronger than 91% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 40% and the elastic modulus is 2.9 GPa (0.421 Msi).
Thermal11
TP-PI is rated for continuous service to 240°C (464 °F). It conducts heat at 0.29 W/m·K (0.168 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 80% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 50 µm/m·K (27.8 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
TP-PI is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 22 kV/mm (558.8 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (88/100), better than 74% of polymer grades. UV resistance is good.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of TP-PI takes about 300 MJ of energy and emits 15 kg of CO₂ — more than 97% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability8
TP-PI's machinability is good (60/100, better than 51% of polymer grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability poor (25/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the polymer family
Yield strength against density for every polymer grade FabDigit runs. TP-PI is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with TP-PI
Is TP-PI easy to machine?
Machines like a hard, abrasive engineering plastic: sharp PCD or carbide tools, high speed, light depth, air or mist cooling; anneal stock and stress-relieve after roughing to hold tight tolerances.
Can TP-PI be welded?
Melt welding is impractical at 400 °C-class melt temperature; join by mechanical fastening, or bond with polyimide/epoxy adhesives after plasma or alkaline surface activation.
Can TP-PI be formed, bent or molded?
Dry pellets 5 h at 180 °C; injection mould at 400–420 °C melt with 170–230 °C tool and generous gates, or compression-mould/sinter powder for grades that will not flow; thin films are solvent cast from polyamic acid.
TP-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 |
|---|---|---|
| aromatic dianhydride (PMDA / BPDA / BTDAbackbone anhydride component | 45 – 60 | 55 |
| glass fiberGF variants only | 0 – 40 | 0 |
| carbon fiberCF variants only | 0 – 40 | 0 |
| graphite / PTFE / MoS2bearing-grade solid lubricants | 0 – 25 | 0 |
| aromatic diamine (ODA / m-phenylenediamiflexible ether linkages give melt processability | ≥ 40 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on TP-PI?
Naturally amber-to-black and needs no flame retardant or paint; can be plasma-treated, sputter-metallised or laser-marked, and lapped to mirror finish for seal faces.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to TP-PI in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ISO
- PI
- Trade names
- KaptonVespelAurumMeldin
How much does TP-PI cost?
TP-PI is a high-cost polymer ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
TP-PI — frequently asked
What is TP-PI used for?
TP-PI is typically used for semiconductor wafer-handling components, aerospace seals and bushings, high-temperature electrical insulators and piston rings in jet engines. In short: highest-temperature thermoplastic family; low outgassing for vacuum; sintered or compression moulded.
What is the yield strength of TP-PI?
TP-PI has a typical yield strength of 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 92 MPa (13.3 ksi) — stronger than 91% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is TP-PI easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (60/100, better than 51% of polymer grades). Machines like a hard, abrasive engineering plastic: sharp PCD or carbide tools, high speed, light depth, air or mist cooling; anneal stock and stress-relieve after roughing to hold tight tolerances.
Can TP-PI be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Melt welding is impractical at 400 °C-class melt temperature; join by mechanical fastening, or bond with polyimide/epoxy adhesives after plasma or alkaline surface activation.
What surface finishes work on TP-PI?
Naturally amber-to-black and needs no flame retardant or paint; can be plasma-treated, sputter-metallised or laser-marked, and lapped to mirror finish for seal faces.
Can TP-PI be formed, bent or molded?
Dry pellets 5 h at 180 °C; injection mould at 400–420 °C melt with 170–230 °C tool and generous gates, or compression-mould/sinter powder for grades that will not flow; thin films are solvent cast from polyamic acid.
What is the maximum service temperature of TP-PI?
TP-PI is rated for continuous use to about 240°C (464 °F), and briefly to 300°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does TP-PI cost?
TP-PI is a high-cost polymer ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- Aurum Thermoplastic Polyimide PL450C / JGN3030 / JCN3030 data sheets — Mitsui Chemicals (2022)
- Vespel SP Polyimide Parts and Shapes Design Handbook (SP-1, SP-21, SP-211, SP-3) — DuPont (2021)
- Meldin 7000 series polyimide properties — Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics (2021)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol.2: Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
- CAMPUS / UL Prospector polyimide grade data — CWFG / UL (2023)
- ISO 527 / ISO 178 / ISO 75 / ASTM D256 test methods — ISO / ASTM (2019)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.