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VESPEL® S

DuPont™ Vespel® S

Vespel® S designates a group of virtually non-meltable aromatic polyimides (PI). These materials, made from the original DuPontTM Vespel® have outstanding high-temperature properties. They are characterized by a wide application range from cryogenic temperatures to even far above 400°C for a short time out. The mechanical properties of the Vespel® S grades remain almost stable over the entire temperature range.

The materials have a low coefficient of thermal expansion, high wear resistance and a low tendency to creep. In addition, they are characterized by high purity and low outgassing behavior.

Main features

  • heat deflection temperature > 300°C
  • high wear resistance
  • high purity and low outgassing behavior

The group of Vespel® S polyimides comprises the semi-crystalline Vespel® SP and the mechanically stronger and thermally even more stable Vespel® SCP.

The various Vespel® S grades are resistant to most solvents, but are attacked by strong acids and alkalis. Like most polyimides are Vespel® S grades are also hygroscopic and therefore not resistant to hydrolysis. However, the materials are well suited for vacuum applications. Even in high vacuum, they hardly outgas and have good dry-running properties.

The disadvantage of Vespel® S grades is that they cannot be thermoplastically processed. For this reason, components must either be machined from semi-finished products or, in the case of larger quantities, be directly molded in a press-sintering process.

Overview of the Vespel® SP types

DuPont™ Vespel® SP

The semi-crystalline Vespel® SP has no detectable glass transition temperature or other softening points below a decomposition temperature well above 400°C.

The material can be used up to 300°C, and for a short time even up to almost 500°C. Due to these thermal properties, Vespel® SP behaves almost like a thermosetting plastic and exhibits an almost linear change in mechanical properties. For use in wear applications there are special types of materials modified with graphite and fluorocarbon. The following listed Vespel® SP grades are available as tensioned or directly formed components.

Vespel® SP-1 (PI)
is the unfilled standard grade of the Vespel® SP series with a balanced property profile. The material has good electrical insulation properties and is well suited for vacuum applications due to its high degree of purity. >Data Sheet

Vespel® SP-21 (PI GR15)
Vespel® SP-21 (PI GR15) is a PI type modified with graphite which can also be used in dry running. The graphite content leads to a reduction in the coefficient of friction as well as to an improvement of wear resistance and heat aging. The plastic is suitable for highly stressed bearing parts, thrust washers and seals an. >Data Sheet

Vespel® SP-211 (PI GR15 TF10)
is a PI type developed for sliding applications in dry running. The plastic has been optimized in particular for its sliding and wear properties and offers the lowest static friction of all pure-aromatic PI grades. >Data sheet

Vespel® SP-22 (PI GR40)
is a graphite-modified polyimide grade with, compared to the SP-21, clearly increased graphite content. The plastic has the lowest coefficient of thermal expansion of all aromatic PI combined with a high creep resistance. >Data Sheet

Vespel® SP-3 (PI MO)
is a PI modified with molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) which is used in particular for dynamic or tribological applications in vacuum. SP-3 offers best dry running properties. >Data Sheet

We attach great importance to the correct choice of material because only the right plastic will show the desired result in the application. Therefore we offer you a comprehensive advice on all aspects of material selection.

Our application engineers are looking forward to your inquiry!

Overview of the Vespel® SCP Types

DuPont™ Vespel® SCP

Compared to the Vespel® SP, the Vespel® SCP is characterized by a significantly higher mechanical strength over a wide temperature range. At temperatures up to above 250°C, it is superior to the previously known polyimides. Only above 300°C the strength decreases significantly.

Vespel® SCP is also superior to most plastics in terms of dimensional stability. The coefficient of expansion of the Vespel® SCP-5050 grade highly filled with graphite is comparable to the of stainless steel. In addition, Vespel® SCP shows - compared to know polyimides - a better chemical resistance and is also superior in terms of thermal-oxidative degradation resistance.

For use as sealing or sliding elements, the following Vespel® SCP Types are available as machined or direct formed components.

Vespel® SCP-5000 (PI)
is the standard unfilled type which is - compared to the the Vespel® SP types - characterized by better thermal stability, chemical resistance and dimensional stability. At the same time, this material is highly pure and hardly outgassing. >Data Sheet

Vespel® SCP-5009 (PI GR)
is a type modified with graphite for increased temperatures and better compressive strength. At the same time, this material has the best sealing properties and a low coefficient of friction in dry running. >Data Sheet

Vespel® SCP-50094 (PI GR)
is the standard tribological grade with high wear resistance. This material combines the well-known good properties of Vespel® SP-21 with an even higher thermal stability. >Data Sheet

Vespel® SCP-5050 (PI GR)
is a tribologically modified special type with the best sliding properties which is characterized - due to of the high graphite filling - by an extremely low coefficient of thermal expansion. >Data Sheet

We attach great importance to the correct choice of material! Because only the right plastic will show the desired result in the application. Therefore we offer you a comprehensive advice on all aspects of material selection.
Our application engineers are looking forward to your inquiry!

overview of the semi-finished products available 

DuPont™ Vespel® S

Vespel® SP

Rods Diameter

Flat Bars Thickness

Tubes Outer Diameter

Vespel® SP-1

6,3 - 82,5 mm

1,6 - 50,8 mm

40,6 - 180 mm

Vespel® SP-21

6,3 - 82,5 mm

1,6 - 50,8 mm

40,6 -  180 mm

Vespel® SP-211

6,3 - 82,5 mm

1,6 - 50,8 mm

40,6 - 101 mm

Vespel® SP-22

6,3 - 82,5 mm

1,6  - 50,8 mm

40,6 - 101 mm

Vespel® SP-3

6,3 - 82,5 mm

6,3 - 50,8 mm

40,6 - 101 mm

Vespel® SCP

Rods Diameter

Flat Bars Thickness

Tubes Outer Diameter

Vespel® SCP 5000

6,3 - 70 mm

on request

on request

Vespel® SCP 5009

on request

on request

on request

Vespel® SCP 50094

6,3 - 63,5 mm

on request

on request

Vespel® SCP 5050

6,3 - 63,5 mm

on request

on request

Modulus of elasticity versus temperature
Tensile strenght at 23 and at 260°C

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Company Holidays 2024

Company Holidays 2024

Dear Madam, Sir,
dear business partners,

from December 21, 2024 to January 5, 2025 our company will be closed due to Christmas and New Year holidays.
Our annual inventory will take place on December 19 and 20, 2024, so that last shipments of goods be on Wednesday, December 18th.
From January 6, 2025 we will be at your service again!

We wish you and your families a Merry Christmas and a good start to 2025! And - stay healthy!