When considering high-temperature plastics, it’s important to choose the best quality material for your projects. High-temperature plastics, also referred to as heat-resistant plastic, offer a variety of benefits. They are lightweight and versatile alternatives to metal, ceramics, and older polymers. These features have made heat-resistant plastics highly popular. Below you will find examples of high temp plastics to help you determine which is right for your projects. 

Examples of High Temp Plastics

There is a wide variety of heat-resistant plastics, but not all of them are created equally. Below you will find the most popular high-temperature plastics that have a proven record of success.

1. Ryton: Also referred to as polyphenylene sulfide, Ryton is an organic heat-resistant polymer. It can be molded, extruded, and machined to high tolerances and has a maximum service temperature of 218 degrees Celsius. Ryton won’t dissolve in any solvent at temperatures of 200 degrees Celsius or below. It also has a good flammability rating even without flame-retardant additives. Ryton is used to replace metals, thermosets, lower-performing plastics in motors and controls, specialty seals, pumps, fans, blowers, and certain HVAC components.
2. Vespel: Vespel is highly heat resistant. In fact, the material is a non-melting polyimide that can withstand repeated heating up to 300 degrees Celsius. The plastics thermal and mechanical properties are not altered at these high temperatures. With filler material, Vespel can withstand even higher heat. Depending on the type and amount of filler, the material can withstand up to 398 degrees Celsius for up to 350 hours. At this level of heat, Vespel only loses fifty percent of its initial tensile strength (due to oxidative degradation). The amount of strength lost can be mitigated if the parts are in inert environments, such as nitrogen. Because of the major benefits, Vespel is often a go-to choice for projects involving industrial machinery, automobiles, and jet engines.
3. Torlon: This type of plastic is a polyamide-imide that provides room temperature properties of other types of plastic at a whopping 204 degrees Celsius. It also has outstanding long-term stiffness and strength up to 260 degrees Celsius. The high-temperature plastic is resistant to wear, creep, strong acids, and most organic chemicals. Torlon is a highly effective alternative to metal in certain applications, specifically high-temperature friction and wear applications. It has excellent bearing properties when combined with thermoplastic materials. This type of high-temperature plastic is a great option for severe service environments, including aircraft hardware and fasteners, structural and mechanical components, power train components and transmissions, coatings, composites, and additives.
4. Noryl: This plastic is a blend of two polymers, polyphenylene oxide and polystyrene. The combination helps Noryl stay stable in boiling water as polystyrene increases the glass transition temperature above 100 degrees Celsius. The high-temperature plastic has a maximum service temperature of 105 degrees Celsius and a melting point of 154 degrees Celsius. Noryl can be used in a variety of applications, including solar panels and electrical insulating material as it has extremely low water absorption.

Choosing Your High Temp Plastics

If you are unsure about which high-temperature plastics are right for your projects, contact the experts at Real Seal. It can be difficult to determine the right materials for your project so getting help can streamline your project goals. They are skilled in seal products and mechanical component goods, including thermoset materials. They specialize in performance-oriented rubber and plastic materials. Their state-of-the-art technology has made them an industry leader as they have a fully equipped laboratory and chemist. Contact the experts at Real Seal today for support with your next project!