Compare Sheet Only:

    Compare Tube Only:

    PEI Polyetherimide

    High Performance Thermoplastics

    Common Trade Names: ULTEM®, Duratron®, TECAPEI®, SUSTAPEI®, Mechetec®, Tempalux®, Gehr, Hydel®

    PEI is an amorphous high-performance structural material, semi-transparent amber in color. It combines high strength and rigidity at elevated temperatures up to 340F with a heat deflection temperature of 400F. It is UL-V0, has very low smoke generation, excellent electrical properties and outstanding dielectric consistency over a wide range of frequencies, and the lowest thermal conductivity of any of the engineering or high-performance plastics. PEI is hydrolysis resistant, withstands acidic solutions and can be autoclaved repeatedly.

    The most common versions of this material are unfilled, and 30% glass filled for increased structural strength. While a bearing grade is listed in the resin information, PEI is not a good wear material, other materials are more appropriate in this temperature range.
    Parts made from PEI are used primarily for electrical/electronic insulators (including semiconductor), instrumentation and many structural applications requiring strength and rigidity at elevated temperatures.

    PEEK Polyetheretherketone

    Common Trade Names: Ketron®, Semitron®, TECAPEEK®, SUSTAPEEK®, VICTREX®, Arolux®, VESTAKEEP®, KetaSpire®, AVASPIRE®, T SERIES, Arlon®, Thermocomp®

    PEEK is the “Swiss Army Knife” of the high-performance materials – it does a lot of things very well, is readily available and is easily modified to improve specific properties. Introduced nearly 40 years ago, PEEK has become the “go to” material of first consideration for applications requiring high heat and hydrolysis resistance above PPS, and often replacing glass filled PTFE. Primarily used in its unfilled version, it has the highest elongation and toughness of all PEEK grades and has inherently good wear properties. It is used where ductility and inertness are important at temperature Parts made from PEEK are also used in chemically corrosive environments. Processed by both extrusion and compression molding, material size can be varied to maximize raw material yield and give you the best part cost possible.

    PEEK is also readily available in 30% glass reinforced, 30% carbon reinforced (to improve both stiffness and wear resistance), and other versions modified to reduce both wear and coefficient of friction.

    Parts made from PEEK include seals, valve seats, gears, thrust washers and semiconductor processing components.

    PTFE Polytetrafluoroethylene

    Common Trade Names: Teflon®, Fluorosint®, Rulon®, Fluon®, ARLON®, POLYFLON®, Dalcon®, Dyneon®, TECASINT®, Avalon®, Arolux®

    PTFE has an extremely low coefficient of friction, no moisture absorption, and outstanding chemical resistance. It is form stable (no load) to 500F and is FDA compliant. Having low mechanical properties and a high coefficient of thermal expansion, PTFE is usually reinforced with glass fibers, carbon fibers, bronze, mica, graphite, combinations of these. It can also be alloyed with other polymers. This also improves its machineability into close tolerance parts. PTFE excels in parts requiring excellent compliancy, temperature resistance and chemical resistance. Processed by both ram extrusion and compression molding, we can obtain the right raw material dimensions to maximize yield to give you the best part price possible.

    Parts made from PTFE include seals, chemical processing/turbocompressor abradable seals, and oilfield valve seals.

    PAI Polyamide-imide

    Common Trade Names: Torlon®, Duratron®, Tecator®, TECAPAI®, SYMMTAMIDE®, Isoflon®

    PAI, one of the very high-performance imidized materials, is the highest performing engineering plastic that is still melt-processible. It can be both extruded and compression molded into a very wide range of shapes & sizes. At 525F, its heat deflection temperature is over 200F higher than unfilled PEEK. It also demonstrates excellent toughness and impact resistance in cryogenic applications than other high strength polymers.

    PAI combines an extremely low coefficient of expansion, low moisture absorption, extremely high compressive strength & creep resistance with excellent impact resistance.

    Its broad chemical resistance includes strong acids and most organics. However, PAI should not be used in prolonged exposure to steam or super-heated water, as this will attack the molecular structure.

    Though processed as a thermoplastic, the material must then undergo an extensive crosslinking curing process to fully develop its exceptional properties. All parts we supply are from materials that are thoroughly cured.

    PAI is available in a wide range of modified versions to improve stiffness and wear resistance.