As the adoption of plastic parts over metal ones continues to trend upward, heat-resistant plastics have become essential for a wide range of industries. In particular, this category of plastic is essential to the production of high-performance components for applications in the medical, aerospace, fluidics, and oil & gas industries, to name a few. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most resilient heat-resistant plastics and where they are most commonly found in a number of demanding industries.
Heat Resistant Plastics
The development of new materials is a constantly changing sphere of work, but over the last several years, a number of heat-resistant plastics have garnered the attention of plastics manufacturers due to their unique properties. A few examples include:
Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) – TECAPEEK® IM Natural
- Melting point: 343°C to 387°C
- Performance temperature: Continuous work temperature typically ranges from 250°C to 300°C
- Mechanical properties: High strength, stiffness, and toughness; excellent wear and abrasion resistance; good chemical resistance.
Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) – TECAPEEK® SM 450 / 450GF Natural
- Melting point: Approximately 343°C to 387°C
- Performance temperature: Continuous performance temperature ranges from 250°C to 300°C
- Mechanical properties: This material is similar to TECAPEEK® IM Natural but with improved wear resistance due to the addition of glass fiber reinforcement
Polyamide-imide (Torlon™) – TECAPAI® IM 5030 GF30
- Melting point: 307°C to 335°C
- Performance temperature: Continuous use temperature can exceed 260°C
- Mechanical properties: Exceptional strength, stiffness, and creep resistance; excellent wear and chemical resistance; low coefficient of thermal expansion
Polyamide-imide (Torlon™) – TECAPAI® IM 4203 Natural
- Melting point: 307°C to 335°C
- Performance temperature: Continuous use temperature can exceed 260°C
- Mechanical properties: This material is nearly identical to TECAPAI® IM 5030 GF30 but has different filler materials
Polyimide (Aurum ™) TECASINT IM NATURAL
- Melting point: 500°C to 600°C
- Performance temperature: Continuous use temperature typically ranges from around 200°C to 240°C
- Mechanical properties: High strength, stiffness, and chemical resistance; excellent electrical insulation properties; low coefficient of thermal expansion
Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS) – TECATRON® IM PPS NATURAL
- Melting point: 280°C to 290°C
- Performance temperature: Continuous use temperature typically ranges from around 200°C to 240°C
- Mechanical properties: High strength, stiffness, and chemical resistance; excellent dimensional stability; good electrical properties
Polyetherimide (Ultem®) – TECAPEI™ IM NATURAL
- Melting point: 215°C to 225°C
- Performance temperature: Continuous use temperature typically ranges from around 170°C to 200°C
- Mechanical properties: High strength and stiffness; excellent dimensional stability; good chemical resistance; inherently flame retardant
Which Industries Benefit from Heat Resistant Plastics?
Aerospace
Heat-resistant plastics are used extensively for the manufacture of aerospace parts. For instance, PEEK is often a go-to for aircraft interior components like brackets, clips, and panels due to its lightweight, high strength, and flame-retardant properties.
Similarly, Torlon™ (PAI) is commonly used for bearings, bushings, and wear components in aircraft engines and landing gear due to its exceptional strength, stiffness, and wear resistance.
Fluidics
In fluidics, heat-resistant plastics also need to exhibit exceptional chemical resistance properties. As a result, Ultem (PEI) is ideal for the production of high-temperature fluid handling components such as valves, fittings, and pump parts due to its resistance to harsh chemicals and high temperatures.
PPS is also a good choice for connectors, fittings, and housings for fluid handling systems due to its chemical resistance and dimensional stability.
Industrial
Industrial applications place extremely high demands on the parts used in equipment and machinery. Consequently, heat-resistant plastics also need to have a good combination of mechanical properties.
Torlon™ (PAI), for instance, is a good material for gears, rollers, and bearings in industrial machinery and equipment due to its excellent mechanical properties and resistance to wear and abrasion.
PEEK is another good option and is commonly used for seals, gaskets, and bearings in manufacturing equipment due to its high-temperature resistance and chemical compatibility.
Medical
In the medical industry, heat-resistant plastics must also exhibit a number of other characteristics to enhance device performance and ensure patient safety. PEEK is one of the most widely used polymers for surgical implants, spinal cages, and dental instruments due to its biocompatibility, radiolucency, and high strength.
Ultem (PEI) is another excellent high-performance polymer for medical device components such as surgical instruments and sterilizable trays due to its high-temperature resistance and resistance to sterilization methods.
Oil & Gas
Oil & gas is another demanding industry that places plastic parts under intense stressors. For this reason, PEEK is also frequently found in oil & gas components. It’s a common choice for downhole tools, seals, and valve components in oil and gas exploration and production due to its resistance to high pressures, temperatures, and corrosive fluids.
Similarly, PPS is used for pump components, valve seats, and seals in oil and gas processing equipment due to its resistance to chemicals and high temperatures.
Semiconductor
Finally, the semiconductor industry is one with unique and specific needs. One of the most important heat-resistant plastics for this industry is Ultem (PEI). It’s commonly used for wafer handling and processing equipment (such as wafer carriers and trays) due to its high-temperature resistance and low outgassing properties.
And again, Torlon™ (PAI) is an ideal choice for test sockets, handlers, and insulating components in semiconductor manufacturing equipment due to its dimensional stability and resistance to high temperatures and chemicals.
Ensinger Specializes in High-Performance Injection Molding for Critical Parts
At Ensinger Precision Components, we specialize in working with high-performance thermoplastics to deliver critical components for a number of industrial applications. We are an injection molding company based out of Connecticut, with a CNC machining division in North Carolina. Between our two manufacturing facilities, our team of highly qualified experts, and our additional capabilities in engineering, design, and advanced manufacturing, we’re able to deliver high-quality plastic parts that meet tight tolerances and performance standards.
Connect with us today to get started on your next production run.