Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2026-08-31 Origin: Site
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● What Are Heat-Resistant Plastics?
● Key Thermal Properties of Heat-Resistant Plastics
● Detailed Overview of 6 Heat-Resistant Plastics
>> 1. Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) Material
>> 3. Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS) Material
>> 4. Polyetherimide (PEI, trade name Ultem) Material
>> 5. Polyphenylsulfone (PPSU) Material
>> 6. Polysulfone (PSU) Material
Untill 2026, the common plastics with good heat-resistant properties include Polyetheretherketone (PEEK), Polyimide (PI), Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS), Polyetherimide (PEI), Polyphenylsulfone (PPSU), and Polysulfone (PSU). Their long-term continuous operating temperatures span a wide range from 160°C to over 300°C: among them, PI leads the pack with a capability of 300°C+, followed by PEEK at 260°C, PPS at 220°C, PPSU at 180°C, PEI at 170°C, and PSU at 160°C. Leveraging their unique thermal properties, these materials are widely used in high-temperature applications across aerospace, automotive manufacturing, medical devices, and electrical and electronic industries.
| Material | Long-Term Continuous Operating Temperature |
|---|---|
| Polyimide(PI) | 300°C+ |
| Polyetheretherketone(PEEK) | 260°C |
| Polyphenylene Sulfide(PPS) | 220°C |
| Polyphenylsulfone(PPSU) | 180°C |
| Polyetherimide(PEI) | 170°C |
| Polysulfone(PSU) | 160°C |
| Performance Metric | Description |
|---|---|
| Glass Transition Temperature (Tg) | The critical temperature at which a material transitions from a rigid, glassy state to a flexible, rubbery state. For amorphous plastics, this is essentially the ceiling of their practical operating temperature. |
| Melting Point (Tm) | The specific temperature at which a semicrystalline plastic transitions from a solid to a liquid. Amorphous plastics and PI do not have a melting point; they only degrade at high temperatures without melting or dripping. |
| Heat Deflection Temperature (HDT) | The temperature at which a material deflects by a specified amount under a defined mechanical load (typically 1.8 MPa). This directly reflects the material's heat resistance under load-bearing conditions. |
| Continuous Operating Temperature | The maximum temperature at which a material can operate continuously over the long term without significant degradation of its key mechanical properties. |
| Decomposition Temperature (Td) | The temperature at which the molecular chains of a material begin to undergo chemical breakdown. A high decomposition temperature means a wider processing window and a higher safety margin. |
Glass Transition Temperature: 143°C / Melting Point: 341–343°C
Heat Deflection Temperature: 152°C (unreinforced, 1.8 MPa)
Continuous Operating Temperature: 260°C / Short-term: 300°C
Decomposition Temperature: ~580°C
Flame Rating: UL 94 V-0 (inherent)
Typical Applications: Aerospace brackets and interiors, medical implants, semiconductor wafer carriers, high-temperature automotive bearings, 3D printing high-performance filaments.
Glass Transition Temperature: 280–360°C
Heat Deflection Temperature: 280°C+
Continuous Operating Temperature: 300°C+ / Short-term Peak: 480°C
Decomposition Temperature: >500°C
Typical Applications: Aircraft engine components, flexible circuit board substrates, high-temperature sealing rings, deep-well drilling equipment, spacecraft thermal insulation layers.
Glass Transition Temperature: 90°C / Melting Point: 280°C
Heat Deflection Temperature: 135°C (unreinforced, 1.8 MPa)
Continuous Operating Temperature: 220°C / Short-term Peak: 260°C
Decomposition Temperature: ≥500°C
Typical Applications: Automotive turbocharger piping, water pump impellers, electronic connectors, industrial filter bags, chemical pump and valve components.
Glass Transition Temperature: 217°C
Heat Deflection Temperature: 210°C
Continuous Operating Temperature: 170°C / Short-term: 210°C
Decomposition Temperature: ~500°C
Typical Applications: Aircraft interior panels, medical surgical instrument handles, 5G base station radomes, food processing equipment components, electrical insulation housings.
Glass Transition Temperature: 220°C / No melting point
Heat Deflection Temperature: 207°C
Continuous Operating Temperature: 180°C / Short-term Peak: 230°C
Typical Applications: Medical sterilization trays, dental instrument handles, baby bottles, airline catering utensils, hemodialysis equipment.
Glass Transition Temperature: 187°C
Heat Deflection Temperature: 174°C
Continuous Operating Temperature: 160°C / Short-term: 190°C
