Introducing Vespel®: A Super Plastic
Vespel® by DuPont is used for a variety of applications throughout aerospace, automotive, and energy production industries.
As part of our ongoing commitment to provide cutting-edge materials, we’re excited to share a new material we are adding to our stock: Vespel® by DuPont.
Dubbed a "super plastic," Vespel® earns its title by seamlessly adapting to a wide range of applications, thanks to its unmatched combination of strength, versatility, and reliability.
Vespel® is stable in even the most extreme conditions, making it ideal for demanding industries like aerospace, automotive manufacturing, and energy production. Vespel® is also flight-approved by both NASA and the U.S. Air Force.
What is Vespel®?
Vespel® is a high-performance plastic material that excels in environments where other thermoplastics fail. As a polyimide resin material, Vespel® operates smoothly across an impressive temperature range—from extreme highs of up to 500°F or more, to cryogenic lows of -400°F—without becoming brittle.
Often used as a substitute for metal or ceramics, Vespel® offers greater versatility with an incredible strength-to-weight ratio. Its low friction properties enhance reliability, prevent sticking and seizing, and significantly reduce downtime in critical operations. Some of the other benefits of Vespel® include:
Low creep and low outgassing: Performs consistently even at high temperatures.
Lightweight yet strong: Handles high loads with ease.
Chemical, electrical, wear, and thermal resistance: Ensures durability in diverse environments.
Strength, stiffness, and dimensional stability: Maintains performance despite extreme temperature fluctuations.
Machinability: Can be easily machined to very tight tolerances.
Versatility: Performs well under hard vacuum, radiation, oxygen compatibility, cryogenic conditions, and exposure to flame.
Common Uses of Vespel®:
Bearings, bushings, insulators, seals, thrust washers, and wear rings
Wear pads, wear strips, and tube clamps
Thermoplastic injection-molded, assembled, and composite parts
Test sockets and wafer guides
Glass handling technology
Wear components in centrifugal pumps
Hydrocarbon, chemical, and water service pumps
As leaders in high-temperature, non-metallic fabrication, Red Seal Electric Company is committed to providing the most innovative materials. In addition to Vespel®, we offer a comprehensive range of composite materials designed to meet the needs of any industry. With over 70 types of composite insulating materials in stock, our team of experts is here to help you find the perfect solution.