Vespel® Plastic Machining Services

Vespel Machined Plastic Parts

Vespel® per ASTM D6456 is considered one of the highest performing engineering plastics on the market today. The very properties that make this material such a performer also make it difficult to machine. Understanding the machining properties of various grades of Vespel® is critical to being able to produce a quality part. Upland Fab has decades of experience machining various grades of Vespel®.

 

Upland Fab's Vespel® Experience Saves Time & Money

Current users of Vespel® per ASTM D6456 and other Polyimides such as Meldin® already know there is a very high cost to these composite machining materials. This is why it is critical to choose a machining supplier with experience. Upland Fab’s experience enables parts to be machined with minimal scrap, these savings are passed on to the customer.

 

Properties of Vespel® Material

TYPICAL PROPERTIES of Vespel
ASTM or UL test Property 
Vespel® SP-1
Vespel® SP-21
Vespel® SP-22
Vespel® SP-211
Vespel® SP-3
  Filler Material Unfilled 15% Graphite 40% Graphite 10% PTFE, 15% Graphite 15% Moly
PHYSICAL
D792 Vespel® Density (lb/in³) (g/cm³) 0.051
1.43
0.055
1.51
0.060
1.65
0.056
1.55
0.058
1.60
D570 Water Absorption of Vespel® 24 hrs @ 73°F (%) 48 hrs @ 122°F (%)

0.24

0.72

0.19

0.57

0.14

0.42

0.21

0.49

0.23

0.65

MECHANICAL
D638

Vespel® Tensile Strength, Ultimate @ 73°F (psi)
@ 500°F (psi)

12,000

6,000

9,500

5,500

7,500

3,400

6,500

3,500

8,200

-

D638 Tensile Modulus (psi) - - - - -
D638

Tensile Elongation, Ultimate @ 73°F (%)@ 500°F (%)

7.5

6.0

4.5

6.0

3.0

2.0

3.5

3.0

4.0

-

D790 Flexural Strength of Vespel®, Ultimate @ 73°F (psi) @ 500°F (psi)

16,000

9,000

16,000

9,000

13,000

6,500

10,000

5,000

11,000

5,500

D790

Flexural Modulus @ 73°F (psi)
@ 500°F (psi)

450,000

250,000

550,000

370,000

700,000

400,000

450,000

200,000

475,000

270,000

D695 Compressive Strength, 10% strain @73°F(psi) 19,300 19,300 16,300 14,800 18,500
D695 Compressive Modulus (psi) 350,000 420,000 475,000 300,000 350,000
D785 Vespel® Hardness, Rockwell E45-60 E25-45 E5-25 E1-20 E40-55
D256 IZOD Impact Notched (ft-lb/in) 0.8 0.8 - - 0.4
THERMAL
D696 Coefficient of Linear Thermal Expansion
(x10-5 in./in./°F)
3 2.7 2.1 3 2.9
D648 Heat Deflection Temp (°F/°C)
at 264 psi
680 / 360 680 / 360 - - -
- Max Continuous Operating Temp (°F/°C) 500 / 260 500 / 260 500 / 260 500 / 260 500 / 260
C177 Thermal Conductivity
(BTU-in/ft²-hr-°F)
(x10-4 cal/cm-sec-°C)

2.0
6.9

6.0
20.7

12.0
41.3

5.3
18.3

3.2
11.0
UL94 Flammability Rating of Vespel® V-0 V-0 V-0 V-0 V-0
ELECTRICAL
D149 Dielectric Strength of Vespel® (V/mil) short time, 1/8" thick 560 250 - - -
D150 Dielectric Constant at 1 MHz 3.55 13.2 - - -
D150 Dissipation Factor at 1 MHz 0.0034 0.0106 - - -
D257 Volume Resistivity (ohm-cm) at 50% RH 10^14 - 10^15 10^12 - 10^13 - - -

 

CNC Technologies for Machining Vespel® Polyimide Parts

Upland Fab employs the use of multi-axis machining when working with Vespel®. This application of technology is critical to ensuring the parts are machined correctly the first time with minimal handling and fixturing. Often times even the most complex parts are completed in a single operation.

By relying on Digital Product Definition, also referred to as Model-Based Definition or DPD/MBD processes, we are able to machine parts directly from our customers’ CAD models. As a result, the possibility of errors is greatly reduced – and so are costs. You won’t find high quality, low-cost Vespel® parts anywhere else.

 

Industrial Uses for Vespel Components

As one of the highest-performing engineering plastics in use today, Vespel is a popular choice across industries for an extensive range of productions.

  • Medical: Vespel is exceptionally clean and highly resistant to chemicals, making it an ideal choice for medical productions. This can include manufacturing surgical caddies, medical devices, and surgical implements.
  • Defense: Vespel’s many beneficial characteristics make it an excellent choice for rugged military and defense applications, including jet engines, heavy-duty off-road equipment, and more.
  • Semiconductor & Electronics: As Vespel exhibits excellent dielectric properties and provides optimal electrical insulation, it is used to manufacture semiconductors and a variety of other electronic assemblies.
  • Aerospace: Most jet engines contain Vespel parts as it provides excellent resistance to melting, flame, radiation, and more. It is also used to manufacture spacecraft components, bearings, fasteners, and much more.

 

Upland fab's Top-Flight Communication

Communication is essential for success. By offering a variety of Vespel® polyimide machining and fabrication services, we will ensure that projects move smoothly and swiftly. Moreover, every one of our clients works with a single point of contact, which means they experience reliable communication and a level of consistency that they won’t find anywhere else. 

 

Other Materials We Work With

Are you looking for another material? We have the ability to machine many different materials take a look below at some of the other plastics we work with. Send us your project requirements and we'll be happy to personally connect with you and discuss your application in more detail!

 

  • Celazole®
  • TECASINT™ PI
  • Duratron®
  • PPS
  • Ketron®
  • Ryton®
  • TECATRON™
 
 

 

  

Discover the advantages of partnering with Upland Fab

Upland Fab machines top-quality parts from Vespel® per ASTM D6456. Start a project today or give us a call at 909-986-6565 with any questions.

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Precision Plastic and Composite CNC Machining

Precision Plastic and Composite
CNC Machining since 1970.

Precision Plastic and Composite CNC Machining
©2024 Upland Fab - 1445 W Brooks Street, Unit L, Ontario, California 91762 - Phone: (909) 986-6565
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