Material properties of TECAPOWDER P84

TECAPOWDER P84 offers outstanding properties, such as high temperature stability, excellent chemical resistance, high mechanical strength, a low friction coefficient and minimal abrasion. The material can be used in applications where conventional plastics melt or soften or when thermal degradation occurs quickly.

TECAPOWDER P84 based on P84^® by Evonik is a fully imidized polyimide with no need for post curing.

Advantages

Broad range of temperature from -270 up to +300 °C (-500 up to +570 °F)
In long term service high stability and high creep resistance
Low outgassing, high purity
Outstanding radiation resistance

Electrically insulating
Excellent slide and wear properties
Strain resistant
Good chemical resistance

Shortcuts to the property descriptions

Thermal Tribology Chemical resistance Customizing properties

Excellent thermal stability

TECAPOWDER P84 has an excellent long term thermal stability. It keeps its dimensional stability and flexural strength at elevated temperatures due to the high glass transition temperature. Creep under load at high temperatures is also excellent.

Glass transition temperature of PI in comparison to high-temperature thermoplastics

Glass transition temperature P84 in comparison to other thermoplasts

Dynamic mechanical analysis of TECAPOWDER P84

Retention of flexural strength under exposure to elevated temperatures

TECAPOWDER P84 flexural strength retention

Retention of tensile strength under exposure to elevated temperatures

Coefficiant of linear thermal extension

Outstanding tribological properties

Parts made of TECAPOWDER P84 are often used as bushings or washers due to their outstanding tribological properties and high wear and creep resistance at elevated temperatures. Typical fillers such as graphite powder provide P84 with very low wear rates which is useful in bushing and bearing applications.

K factors at elevated temperatures

K-factors of TECAPOWDER P84 in comparison

Abrasion of sliding counterpart over 16 hours against steel 100 Cr6 (bearing grade) in µm

Abrasion resistance in comparison of TECAPOWDER P84

Creep under load

Linear wear at 150 °C/300 °F

Chemical resistance

Due to its polyimide backbone TECAPOWDER P84 shows high chemical resistance to various solvents, acids and hydraulic fluids.

CustomiZing P84 properties with fillers and additives

Virgin resin

Base resin: TECAPOWDER P84 HCM yellow, 40 mesh

Best mechanical and electrical properties
Good friction and wear behavior, high radiation stability

Graphite composite

Base resin: TECAPOWDER P84 HCM yellow, 325 mesh, filler 15 % graphite

Excellent friction and wear properties
High residual mechanical strength
Very smooth machined surfaces

Graphite/PTFE composite

Base resin: TECAPOWDER P84 HCM yellow, 325 mesh, filler 15 % graphite and 5 % PTFE

Lower coefficient of friction compared to formulations without PTFE
Outstanding friction properties on rough sliding surfaces through PTFE transfer to the opposite material

PTFE composite

Base resin: TECAPOWDER P84 HCM yellow, 325 mesh, blended with 30 % PTFE

Lowest coefficient of friction of all PI composites

MoS₂ composite

Base resin: TECAPOWDER P84 HCM yellow, 325 mesh, blended with 15 % MoS₂

For tribological applications in dry ambiance and vacuum

Carbon fiber

Due to the negative thermal expansion of carbon fibers, the coefficient of linear thermal expansion of P84 can effectively be to the same level as metals. As well as the thermal transmission of such composites which is much better than under the use of graphite. Therefore, it is well known that blending only 0,5 % of carbon fibers (CF) in 3 mm length will double the heat transmission of plastics. The use of up to 30 % CF increases the flexural modulus significantly.
A disadvantage is the poor machinability of such materials as well as the reduction of elongation. It is not possible to improve tensile strength of TECAPOWDER P84 using reinforcement fibers.

Glass fibers/balls

The use of up to 50 % by weight of glass is used to improve the heat deflection temperature (HDT) of TECAPOWDER P84 in very temperature sensitive applications (for example welding apparatus or plasma guns; arc resistance required).
The addition of 5 % PTFE to this composite improves machinability