VESPEL® SP-21

VESPEL® SP‑21: tribological performance at high temperature

A graphite‑filled polyimide for dynamic loads

VESPEL® SP‑21 is a high‑performance DuPont™ polyimide formulated with 15% graphite to reduce friction and wear while maintaining strong mechanical properties across a wide temperature range.

Friction, wear and load capability

SP‑21 performs reliably in lubricated or unlubricated systems, combining good load‑bearing capability with controlled wear and long‑term thermal stability.

Typical applications

• bearings and bushings
• thrust washers
• seal rings and valve seats
• aerospace and high‑temperature industrial systems

• Semi-finished product manufacturer : Dupont
• Raw material supplier : Dupont
• Minimum thermal resistance (in °C) : -273
• Maximum thermal resistance (in °C) : 550
• Mechanical resistance traction module (in MPa) : 65.5
• Mechanical resistance compression module (in MPa) : 2895
• Pressure-velocity limit (PV) : High
• Low friction and wear coefficient : Low
• Wear resistance : Good
• Electrical conductivity : Insulative
• Chemical resistance : Medium
• Polymer name : Polyimide
• Polymer abbreviation : PI
• Charge / Reinforcement : 15% graphite
• Mechanical resistance (in MPa) : Medium
• Continuous thermal resistance (in °C) : 290
• Mechanical resistance constraint compression (in MPa) : 133