TP-PI ESD
Grade
ISO PI · also Kapton, Vespel
ESD = 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.
Values for the ESD condition
Other TP-PI grades and fills
TP-PI is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at TP-PI.
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 |
ESDThis page 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 |
What is TP-PI ESD?
TP-PI ESD is TP-PI in the ESD grade — pick for wafer-handling and electronics tooling that must bleed charge (10^4–10^9 Ω/sq) while surviving 240 °C. TP-PI ESD has a yield strength of 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 95 MPa (13.8 ksi) — stronger than 91% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 6 GPa (0.87 Msi). TP-PI ESD has a density of 1.45 g/cm³ (0.0524 lb/in³), heavier than 86% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 250°C (482 °F).
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 0.85 W/m·K (0.491 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 99% of polymer grades
- 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
- Stiff — 6 GPa (0.87 Msi), better than 89% of polymer grades
- Low, predictable mold shrinkage — 0.4%, better than 82% of polymer grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 15 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 96% of polymer grades
- Limited formability — 10/100, worse than 87% of polymer grades
- Heavy — 1.45 g/cm³ (0.0524 lb/in³), worse than 86% of polymer grades
- Limited ductility — 3%, worse than 83% of polymer grades
- Difficult to weld — 15/100, worse than 78% of polymer grades
TP-PI ESD properties
Typical room-temperature values for TP-PI ESD; 28 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are TP-PI reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical6
TP-PI ESD has a density of 1.45 g/cm³ (0.0524 lb/in³), heavier than 86% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 250°C (482 °F).
Mechanical17
TP-PI ESD has a yield strength of 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 95 MPa (13.8 ksi) — stronger than 91% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 6 GPa (0.87 Msi).
Thermal11
TP-PI ESD is rated for continuous service to 240°C (464 °F). It conducts heat at 0.85 W/m·K (0.491 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 99% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 50 µm/m·K (27.8 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
TP-PI ESD is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 22 kV/mm (558.8 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1,000 Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (85/100), better than 65% of polymer grades. UV resistance is good.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of TP-PI ESD 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 ESD's machinability is fair (50/100, worse than 73% of polymer grades); weldability poor (15/100); formability not recommended (10/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with TP-PI ESD
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.
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.
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) | — |
TP-PI ESD — frequently asked
What is TP-PI ESD used for?
TP-PI ESD 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 ESD?
TP-PI ESD has a typical yield strength of 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 95 MPa (13.8 ksi) — stronger than 91% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is TP-PI ESD easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (50/100, worse than 73% 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 ESD be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (15/100). 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 ESD?
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 ESD 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 ESD?
TP-PI ESD 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.