Torlon® PAI (Polyamidimide)

Torlon® PAI (Polyamidimide) is a high-strength polymer that offers excellent high-temperature performance. Learn more about PAI (Polyamidimide) Torlon® properties and applications below.

Torlon® PAI (Polyamidimide)

Performance Plastics is one of the industry pioneers in offering one of the highest performing, melt-processable thermoplastics, Torlon® PAI. Torlon® is a high strength, high temperature (500°F max) polymer that is injection molded and oven “cured” to produce a thermoset polymer with excellent bearing properties. Torlon® has the highest tensile strength of all non-filled, injection moldable materials.

Custom Torlon Solutions for Tough Problems

We are experts at custom injection molding Torlon® for critical applications. Our ability to mold Torlon® eliminates the need for machining, making it a perfect solution for large volumes of high-precision parts. We are your resource for complex custom injection molding, we understand your unique needs and offer solutions that perform.

Performance Plastics is proud to be a certified supplier of Solvay. With this certification and expertise, we can offer Torlon® PAI in a variety of formulations and compounds, utilizing a variety of fillers, reinforcements, additives, and pigments. This credential allows us to offer you the best, customized solution for your project.

Different Grades of Torlon for Different Applications

Compounded, alternative grades of Torlon® have strengths similar to metals without the disadvantages such as corrosion. That’s why it’s often used to make precision metal-replacement components ideal in repetitive load-bearing applications. Grades that are reinforced by carbon fiber or glass fiber retain their strength and stiffness and have improved fatigue resistance and lower creep. Torlon® is often used to make structural and dynamic components.

Wear-resistant grades provide a solid mix of mechanical and tribological properties. Wear-resistant Torlon grades are heat and chemical resistant, making them effective replacements for metals in high-temperature and wear applications, even without lubrication. Certain grades can perform at exceptionally high pressures and velocities in lubricated environments.

Custom Torlon Molding

To meet specific requirements, Torlon® PAI can be compounded with a variety of fillers, reinforcements, additives and pigments. Excellent compressive properties combined with creep and fatigue resistance make PAI a superior sealing material, for use in seal rings, hydraulic poppets, brake tappets, check balls, thrust washers and compressor plates.

Torlon Properties

Torlon® is an optimal choice for custom applications in severe service conditions.

Highest level of wear resistance
Low friction
High compressive strength
Low creep under load
Outstanding performance at elevated temperatures
Maintains toughness and impact strength in low temperatures
Resistant to acid and strong chemicals
Impressive compressive strength and low CLTE
Excellent electrical insulation
High dielectric constant

Torlon Applications

Torlon® is an incredibly versatile material for many fields that require a parts that can withstand extreme temperatures, high pressure, corrosion, and wear. Torlon® PAI is one of the very few materials that meets all of these requirements.

Torlon® has proven itself in a broad array of demanding applications in many industries: aerospace, vacuum technology, semiconductor, medical devices, cryogenics, electrical engineering, electronics and automotive.

Excellent compressive properties combined with creep and fatigue resistance make Torlon® a superior sealing material, perfect for seal rings, hydraulic poppets, brake tappets, check balls, thrust washers and compressor plates.

Industries

Aerospace: lightweight aerospace fasteners made of Torlon® improve fuel efficiency, and eliminate issues seen with standard metallic parts. Other applications include thermal isolators, sector gears, bushings, and screws.

Automotive: Torlon® is a natural choice for automotive applications where high levels of heat, pressure, and friction are a concern. Applications include transmission components, hydraulic ring seals, axial thrust bearings, and check balls for automotive transmissions.

Oil & gas: Torlon® excels at handling extreme environments and is the best material for dealing with the high pressure, high temperature, abrasive and saltwater environments involved in deep water drilling. Oil & gas applications include seals and back-up seal rings, down-hole guides, labyrinth seals, bearings and bushings.

Semiconductor: Torlon® is used extensively throughout the semiconductor industry due to being produced in hot chemical and gas environments that preclude metals and other plastics. Typical applications include precision test sockets and nests used in high-speed device testing equipment, parts for wafer handling, parts carriers, bearing surfaces, and probes, nests, and ferrules used in plasma etching.

Electrical & electronics: Torlon® is recognized for its excellent electrical properties, which is why it is often used for electrical connectors and insulators. This is a great choice where you need high dielectric strength, electrical insulation, and outstanding impact strength. Typical applications include connectors, switches, and relays.

Precision & specialty industrial: typical applications include bearing and wear components, air motors, air motor vanes, and any components that require high strength and stiffness.

GEARS
• Fatigue resistance
• High strength and rigidity
• Dimensional stability
• Chemical resistance
• Creep resistance
• Noise reduction
SLIDES
• Self-lubricating
• Impact resistance
• Mechanical strength
• Thermal stability
BUSHINGS
• Low coefficient of friction
• Thermal stability
• High compressive strength
• Chemical resistance
• Long-life performance

WASHERS
• Thermal stability
• High compressive strength
• Creep resistance
• Dimensional stability
• Self-lubricating
SEALS
• Thermal stability
• High compressive strength
• Creep resistance
• Conformability (non-leaking)
• Dimensional stability
• Self-lubricating
• Chemical Resistance
• Temperature
• Thermal Expansion
FASTENERS
• Exceptional strength
• High elongation
• Chemical resistance
• Dimensional stability
• Non-corrosive

Your Torlon Partner

At Performance Plastics, we aspire to be your partner in the development process. We believe in working with clients to solve your engineering challenges, delivering a product that truly performs. We help you understand and apply high-performance plastics, which is why we are an invaluable customer resource and build close, long-lasting relationships. Together we can solve your most technically challenging engineering issues – contact us today!

Performance Plastics’ Senior Design Engineer, Brian Black, walks through the key points of injection molding Torlon®.

Let us solve your toughest engineering problems.

We work with our customers to design solutions utilizing the capabilities of ultra and high-performance thermoplastic resins, including but not limited to PEEK, Torlon®, Ultem®, EXTEM®, PFA, FEP, PVDF, ETFE. Capitalizing on advanced injection molding techniques most appropriate for the project, we leverage our vast experience and suite of thermoplastic design and manufacturing skills to solve engineering challenges and deliver components that enhance product performance.