PBI · matrix
PBI TU-60
Properties of the TU-60 condition, compared with the other PBI grades.
Pick when full PBI temperature is not needed and better toughness, easier machining and lower cost matter (structural insulators, seal rings to ~260 °C).
What is PBI TU-60?
PBI TU-60 is PBI in the TU-60 condition — pick when full PBI temperature is not needed and better toughness, easier machining and lower cost matter (structural insulators, seal rings to ~260 °C). PBI TU-60 has a tensile strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi), stronger than 93% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 4.8 GPa (0.696 Msi). PBI TU-60 has a density of 1.34 g/cm³ (0.0484 lb/in³), heavier than 74% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 427°C (801 °F). Unfilled is the default condition FabDigit quotes; TU-60 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High service temperature — 260°C (500 °F), better than 97% of polymer grades
- Conducts heat well — 0.41 W/m·K (0.237 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 95% of polymer grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 92/100, better than 91% of polymer grades
- Stiff — 4.8 GPa (0.696 Msi), better than 87% of polymer grades
- Good UV / weathering resistance — 70/100, better than 83% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Limited formability — 5/100, worse than 95% of polymer grades
- Difficult to weld — 5/100, worse than 90% of polymer grades
PBI TU-60 properties
Typical room-temperature values for PBI TU-60 — 11 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every PBI grade. Each bar shows where the value sits among the polymer grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical4
PBI TU-60 has a density of 1.34 g/cm³ (0.0484 lb/in³), heavier than 74% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 427°C (801 °F).
Mechanical11
PBI TU-60 has a tensile strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi), stronger than 93% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 4.8 GPa (0.696 Msi).
Thermal9
PBI TU-60 is rated for continuous service to 260°C (500 °F). It conducts heat at 0.41 W/m·K (0.237 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 95% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 23 µm/m·K (12.8 µin/in·°F).
Electrical5
PBI TU-60 is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 22 kV/mm (558.8 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹² Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (92/100), better than 91% of polymer grades. UV resistance is very good.
Sustainability1
Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability4
PBI TU-60's machinability is good (62/100, better than 59% of polymer grades); weldability not recommended (5/100); formability not recommended (5/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other PBI grades and fills
PBI is also supplied in 3 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the PBI overview.
- UnfilledDefaultPick for maximum temperature capability, compressive strength and stiffness — semiconductor test sockets, insulator bushings, hot-gas seats.160 MPa tensile
- TU-60Pick when full PBI temperature is not needed and better toughness, easier machining and lower cost matter (structural insulators, seal rings to ~260 °C).130 MPa tensile
- TL-60Pick for dry-running bushings, wear rings and thrust washers at elevated temperature where a low, stable friction coefficient is required.95 MPa tensile
Working with PBI TU-60
Is PBI easy to machine?
Machine like a hard, brittle ceramic-filled plastic: sharp polished carbide (or PCD for filled grades), high speed, light feeds, minimal heat, generous corner radii; parts are notch-sensitive and stock should be kept dry/annealed to control post-machining growth.
Can PBI be welded?
Not weldable or heat-staked — PBI does not melt; join by fasteners, press fit, adhesives (epoxy after abrasion/primer) or mechanical clamping.
Can PBI be formed, bent or molded?
Not melt-processable: shapes are produced by high-temperature/high-pressure sinter (compression) molding of resin powder, then finish-machined; no injection molding, extrusion or thermoforming.
What surface finishes work on PBI?
No plating or anodizing; typical finishing is fine machining/lapping, light bead-blast or vapor-honing, and thorough drying/annealing cycles before dimensional inspection — natural color is dark bronze-brown to black.
PBI chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) |
|---|---|
| 3,3'-diaminobenzidine (monomer)amine monomer unit | — |
| diphenyl isophthalate (monomer)ester monomer unit | — |
| poly[2,2'-(m-phenylene)-5,5'-bibenzimidacondensation polymer of 3,3'-diaminobenzidine (tetraaminobiphenyl) with diphenyl isophthalate; unfilled grade | balance |
PBI TU-60 — frequently asked
What is PBI TU-60 used for?
PBI TU-60 is typically used for semiconductor test sockets, wafer-handling parts, hot-gas and valve seats, insulator bushings, seals and back-up rings and cryogenic-to-high-temperature structural insulators. In short: highest temperature plastic.
What is the tensile strength of PBI TU-60?
PBI TU-60 has a typical tensile strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) — stronger than 93% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is PBI TU-60 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (62/100, better than 59% of polymer grades). Machine like a hard, brittle ceramic-filled plastic: sharp polished carbide (or PCD for filled grades), high speed, light feeds, minimal heat, generous corner radii; parts are notch-sensitive and stock should be kept dry/annealed to control post-machining growth.
Can PBI TU-60 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (5/100). Not weldable or heat-staked — PBI does not melt; join by fasteners, press fit, adhesives (epoxy after abrasion/primer) or mechanical clamping.
What surface finishes work on PBI TU-60?
No plating or anodizing; typical finishing is fine machining/lapping, light bead-blast or vapor-honing, and thorough drying/annealing cycles before dimensional inspection — natural color is dark bronze-brown to black.
Can PBI TU-60 be formed, bent or molded?
Not melt-processable: shapes are produced by high-temperature/high-pressure sinter (compression) molding of resin powder, then finish-machined; no injection molding, extrusion or thermoforming.
What is the maximum service temperature of PBI TU-60?
PBI TU-60 is rated for continuous use to about 260°C (500 °F), and briefly to 500°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in PBI TU-60?
Yes — PBI TU-60 is available for CNC machining, sheet metal and injection molding with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- Celazole PBI U-60 / T-Series stock shapes technical data — Celanese / Boedeker & Drake Plastics distributor data (2023)
- TECAPBI blue product datasheet — Ensinger (2022)
- Engineered Materials Handbook, Vol. 2: Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
- High-performance polymer property tables (PBI) — CAMPUS / UL Prospector (2023)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.