VESPEL® SP-3
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VESPEL® SP-3: The Gold Standard Polyimide for Vacuum and Dry Environments
VESPEL® SP-3 is a grade of high-performance polyimide developed by DuPont™, formulated with a solid lubricant based on molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂). This formulation provides it with exceptional friction and wear resistance, particularly in dry environments, under vacuum or in inert atmospheres, where graphite-based solutions become ineffective or abrasive.
This material is widely used in applications where long-term reliability, system cleanliness, and dimensional stability are critical.
Tribological performance and thermal stability
VESPEL® SP-3 stands out for:
- excellent wear resistance during dry operation,
- a very low coefficient of friction, even in a vacuum,
- mechanical stability over a wide temperature range,
- a low outgassing rate, which is essential for cleanroom and space environments.
These properties ensure reliable performance in systems subjected to thermal cycling, repeated mechanical loads, and strict cleanliness requirements.
Industrial Applications of VESPEL® SP-3
VESPEL® SP-3 is particularly well-suited for the manufacture of:
- bearings, bushings, and bearings for vacuum applications
- bearings, rollers, and slide shoes
- valve seats and sealing components
- parts for satellites, space equipment, and vacuum systems
- aerospace and defense applications requiring extreme reliability
For applications requiring maximum mechanical strength without additives, a grade such as VESPEL® SP-1 may be considered.
- Semi-finished product manufacturer : Dupont
- Raw material supplier : Dupont
- Chemical resistance : Medium
- Mechanical resistance constraint compression (in MPa) : 128
- Continuous thermal resistance (in °C) : 290
- Mechanical resistance (in MPa) : Medium
- Charge / Reinforcement : 15% MoS2
- Reinforcement charge abbreviation : MoS2
- Polymer abbreviation : PI
- Polymer name : Polyimide
- Minimum thermal resistance (in °C) : -273
- Electrical conductivity : Insulative
- Wear resistance : Medium
- Low friction and wear coefficient : Low
- Pressure-velocity limit (PV) : Medium
- Mechanical resistance compression module (in MPa) : 2413
- Mechanical resistance traction module (in MPa) : 56.5
- Maximum thermal resistance (in °C) : 550
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