Q: Need help with specific needs regarding Polyimide fasteners and their high temperature capabilities
A: This Italian company was developing a new client oven. They were interested in Polyimide fasteners and their high temperature capabilities. In particular they needed:
- Usability to 300°C
- Capability with metal connections
- Heat and electric insulation
- Used in a hot box of steel
Polyimide materials like Vespel fasteners are a good thermal and electrical insulator for this application. It is heat resistant to 300°C (572°F) continuous use and 500°C (932°F) intermittent. Vespel fasteners also has a 3.55 dielectric constant at 1MHz. The only drawback for using Vespel fasteners is that it is an expensive option. Here is a great video by DuPont on the heat resistance of polyimide compared to other polymers: http://www.dupont.com/products-and-services/plastics-polymers-resins/parts-shapes/videos/polyimide-heat-resistance-vespel.html