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PI · additive grade

PI 15% Graphite + 10% PTFE

Properties of the 15% Graphite + 10% PTFE condition, compared with the other PI grades.

Pick for the lowest dry coefficient of friction and best start-up/oscillating unlubricated sliding performance.

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What is PI 15% Graphite + 10% PTFE?

PI 15% Graphite + 10% PTFE is PI in the 15% Graphite + 10% PTFE grade — pick for the lowest dry coefficient of friction and best start-up/oscillating unlubricated sliding performance. PI 15% Graphite + 10% PTFE has a tensile strength of 44 MPa (6.38 ksi), weaker than 53% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 3.5% and the elastic modulus is 3.4 GPa (0.493 Msi). PI 15% Graphite + 10% PTFE has a density of 1.55 g/cm³ (0.056 lb/in³), heavier than 90% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 385°C (725 °F). Unfilled is the default condition FabDigit quotes; 15% Graphite + 10% PTFE is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • Conducts heat well — 0.7 W/m·K (0.404 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 99% of polymer grades
  • High service temperature — 260°C (500 °F), better than 97% of polymer grades
  • Stiff — 3.4 GPa (0.493 Msi), better than 81% of polymer grades
  • Good UV / weathering resistance — 60/100, better than 80% of polymer grades

Limitations

  • High embodied carbon — 13 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 93% of polymer grades
  • Heavy — 1.55 g/cm³ (0.056 lb/in³), worse than 90% of polymer grades
  • Difficult to weld — 5/100, worse than 90% of polymer grades
  • Limited ductility — 3.5%, worse than 80% of polymer grades
  • Limited formability — 15/100, worse than 80% of polymer grades

PI 15% Graphite + 10% PTFE properties

Typical room-temperature values for PI 15% Graphite + 10% PTFE — 9 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every PI grade. Each bar shows where the value sits among the polymer grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.

Physical5

PI 15% Graphite + 10% PTFE has a density of 1.55 g/cm³ (0.056 lb/in³), heavier than 90% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 385°C (725 °F).

Density1.55 g/cm³0.06 lb/in³
Glass Transition (Tg)385°C725 °F
Water Absorption (24 h)0.3%
Water Absorption (Saturation)1.2%
Refractive Index1.7

Mechanical15

PI 15% Graphite + 10% PTFE has a tensile strength of 44 MPa (6.38 ksi), weaker than 53% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 3.5% and the elastic modulus is 3.4 GPa (0.493 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus3.4 GPa0.49 Msi
Shear Modulus1.1 GPa0.16 Msi
Bulk Modulus6 GPa0.8 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.41
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)44 MPa6.4 ksi
Elongation at Break3.5%
Compressive Strength110 MPa16 ksi
Compressive Modulus2.9 GPa0.42 Msi
Flexural Strength66 MPa9.6 ksi
Flexural Modulus3.1 GPa0.45 Msi
Shear Strength80 MPa11.6 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)2 MPa·√m1.8 ksi·√in
Izod Impact, Notched43 J/m0.81 ft·lbf/in
Hardness, Shore D88 Shore D
Hardness, Rockwell M105 HRM

Thermal10

PI 15% Graphite + 10% PTFE is rated for continuous service to 260°C (500 °F). It conducts heat at 0.7 W/m·K (0.404 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 99% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 52 µm/m·K (28.9 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity0.7 W/m·K0.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity1,130 J/kg·K0.27 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)52 µm/m·K28.9 µin/in·°F
Max Service Temperature (continuous)260°C500 °F
Min Service Temperature-240°C-400 °F
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa400°C752 °F
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa360°C680 °F
Flammability (UL 94)V-0 (typically at ≥0.4 mm; inherently flame retardant, very low smoke)
Limiting Oxygen Index45%
Max Service Temperature (short-term)480°C896 °F

Electrical6

PI 15% Graphite + 10% PTFE is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 22 kV/mm (558.8 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m.

Electrical Resistivity1×10¹⁴ Ω·m3.94×10²¹ µΩ·in
Dielectric Strength22 kV/mm559 V/mil
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)3.5
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)0.0034
Volume Resistivity1×10¹⁶ Ω·cm
Surface Resistivity1×10¹⁵ Ω

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is excellent (85/100), better than 63% of polymer grades. UV resistance is good.

Corrosion ResistanceExcellent85/100
UV / Weathering ResistanceGood60/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryExcellent against hydrocarbons, ketones, esters, aromatic/chlorinated solvents, oils, fuels, radiation and high vacuum; attacked by strong bases (NaOH, ammonia), hydrazine, concentrated acids and long-term hot water/steam (hydrolysis of the imide ring).

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of PI 15% Graphite + 10% PTFE takes about 290 MJ of energy and emits 13 kg of CO₂ — more than 95% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)290 MJ/kg124,678 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)13 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water600 L/kg71.9 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content0%

Manufacturability4

PI 15% Graphite + 10% PTFE's machinability is good (62/100, better than 59% of polymer grades); weldability not recommended (5/100); formability poor (15/100).

MachinabilityGood62/100
WeldabilityNot recommended5/100
Formability (cold)Poor15/100
PolishabilityGood60/100

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.

Other PI grades and fills

PI is also supplied in 7 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the PI overview.

Working with PI 15% Graphite + 10% PTFE

Is PI easy to machine?

Machines dry with sharp polished carbide (PCD for graphite/CF grades), light feeds and good chip clearance; brittle at edges so avoid sharp internal corners and stress-relieve/anneal after heavy cuts.

Can PI be welded?

Not weldable — non-melting (except TPI grades); join by high-temperature epoxy/polyimide adhesive, press-fit or mechanical fastening.

Can PI be formed, bent or molded?

Kapton-type film is cast/extruded and can be laminated or thermoformed only slightly; Vespel-type stock is direct-formed (isostatic pressing + sintering) and then machined; only thermoplastic PI can be injection molded (melt 400–420 °C, mold 180–230 °C, dry resin thoroughly).

What surface finishes work on PI?

Amber natural color needs no coating; can be plasma/alkaline-etch activated for metallization and adhesive bonding; polishes to a fine matte finish, no paint/anodize required.

PI 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. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
graphite15 % in SP-21, 40 % in SP-220 – 400
PTFE10 % in SP-2110 – 100
MoS215 % in SP-3 (vacuum grade)0 – 150
carbon fiberstructural CF-reinforced grades0 – 400
polyimide resin (PMDA–ODA type aromatic pyromellitic dianhydride + 4,4'-oxydianiline backbone; unfilled default gradebalance—

PI 15% Graphite + 10% PTFE — frequently asked

What is PI 15% Graphite + 10% PTFE used for?

PI 15% Graphite + 10% PTFE is typically used for wire and cable insulation film, aerospace and satellite structural parts, unlubricated bushings and thrust washers, seal rings and piston rings for high-temperature service, semiconductor process components and flexible circuit substrates. In short: ultimate aerospace performance.

What is the tensile strength of PI 15% Graphite + 10% PTFE?

PI 15% Graphite + 10% PTFE has a typical tensile strength of 44 MPa (6.38 ksi) — weaker than 53% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.

Is PI 15% Graphite + 10% PTFE easy to machine?

Reasonably — machinability is rated good (62/100, better than 59% of polymer grades). Machines dry with sharp polished carbide (PCD for graphite/CF grades), light feeds and good chip clearance; brittle at edges so avoid sharp internal corners and stress-relieve/anneal after heavy cuts.

Can PI 15% Graphite + 10% PTFE be welded?

Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (5/100). Not weldable — non-melting (except TPI grades); join by high-temperature epoxy/polyimide adhesive, press-fit or mechanical fastening.

What surface finishes work on PI 15% Graphite + 10% PTFE?

Amber natural color needs no coating; can be plasma/alkaline-etch activated for metallization and adhesive bonding; polishes to a fine matte finish, no paint/anodize required.

Can PI 15% Graphite + 10% PTFE be formed, bent or molded?

Kapton-type film is cast/extruded and can be laminated or thermoformed only slightly; Vespel-type stock is direct-formed (isostatic pressing + sintering) and then machined; only thermoplastic PI can be injection molded (melt 400–420 °C, mold 180–230 °C, dry resin thoroughly).

What is the maximum service temperature of PI 15% Graphite + 10% PTFE?

PI 15% Graphite + 10% PTFE is rated for continuous use to about 260°C (500 °F), and briefly to 480°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

Can FabDigit make parts in PI 15% Graphite + 10% PTFE?

Yes — PI 15% Graphite + 10% PTFE 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

  1. Vespel SP-1 / SP-21 / SP-22 / SP-211 / SP-3 polyimide parts and shapes design handbook — DuPont (2021)
  2. Kapton HN polyimide film — summary of properties — DuPont (2022)
  3. Duratron PI / CU60 polyimide stock shapes datasheet — Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials (2022)
  4. Meldin 7001 / 7211 / 7220 polyimide datasheets — Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics (2021)
  5. AURUM thermoplastic polyimide product guide — Mitsui Chemicals (2020)
  6. Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 2: Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)

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.