High-Performance Polyimide (PI) Tubes: The Reliable Choice for Tubing and Precision Components in Harsh Environments
Polyimide (PI) tubes are hollow tubular profiles manufactured from polyimide resin using precision processes such as extrusion or molding. PI tubes exhibit outstanding properties including high-temperature resistance, chemical corrosion resistance, and high mechanical strength. Dalian Allstar Material Co., Ltd. from China offers PI tubes in various inner diameters, outer diameters, and wall thickness specifications, and supports customized production to meet customer demands for high-performance tubing and precision components.
Exceptional Properties of PI Tubes
PI tubes fully demonstrate the inherent excellent characteristics of polyimide material. Their specific performance indicators typically include:
Exceptional Temperature Range
Capable of long-term stable operation within an extremely wide temperature range from -269°C to +260°C. Short-term operating temperatures for some special grades can reach 300°C or even higher. Their glass transition temperature (Tg) is usually above 250°C, and the heat deflection temperature (HDT @1.8MPa) can reach 260 - 300+°C.
Excellent Mechanical Strength
The material maintains high mechanical performance at elevated temperatures, with tensile strength typically ranging from 80 to 120 MPa (higher for reinforced grades), flexural strength between 110 and 180 MPa, and excellent compressive strength under high loads. It also offers high rigidity, with a flexural modulus of 3.0 to 4.5 GPa, and good creep resistance, showing minimal deformation under continuous stress.
Outstanding Dimensional Stability
Extremely Low Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CLTE): Linear expansion coefficient is typically in the range of (20-50) x 10⁻⁶ /K, ensuring minimal dimensional change during temperature fluctuations.
Extremely Low Water Absorption: 24-hour water absorption is usually less than 0.5% (ISO 62), providing good dimensional stability in humid environments.
Good Chemical Corrosion Resistance
Shows good resistance to most organic solvents (such as alcohols, ethers, ketones, hydrocarbons), oils, fuels, and weak acids. Note that strong alkalis and strong oxidizing acids may affect it.
Electrical Insulation Performance
It offers high dielectric strength (over 20 kV/mm), excellent volume resistivity (above 10¹⁶ Ω·cm), and a stable dielectric constant with low loss across various frequencies and temperatures, making it a superior insulation material.
Inherent Flame Retardancy
Most pure PI materials can achieve UL94 V-0 flame retardancy rating without adding flame retardants, with low smoke emission during combustion.
Excellent Radiation Resistance
Can withstand high doses of ionizing radiation such as γ-rays and X-rays without significant performance degradation, with a tolerance dose of up to 10⁷ - 10⁹ rads.
Good Machinability
Can undergo secondary machining processes such as precision turning, drilling, milling, tapping, and cutting to achieve precise dimensions and smooth exterior surfaces.
Wear-Resistant Properties
Pure PI has natural self-lubrication. With fillers like graphite or PTFE, its friction drops to 0.1–0.2 and wear resistance improves, making it ideal for low-friction, high-durability parts like bushings and guide tubes.
Classification of PI Tubes
To meet the specific performance requirements of different application scenarios, PI tubes are mainly classified as follows:
Unfilled/Pure PI Tubes
Reinforced PI Tubes
Typical Applications of PI Tubes
Due to their high performance, PI tubes are widely used in the manufacture of various tubular components for harsh environments:
Aerospace & Defense
Sensor protection sleeves, small hydraulic/pneumatic tubing components, high-temperature cable sheaths, precision tubing for military fiber optics.
Semiconductor & Electronics Industry
High-purity fluid transport tubes, high-temperature resistant sleeves in chip manufacturing processes, probe protection tubes, electrical insulation sleeves.
Medical Devices
Miniature catheter components requiring high-temperature sterilization, sample transfer tubes in analytical instruments (biocompatible grades need to be considered).
Precision Instruments
Chromatography column tubes, high-temperature gas/liquid transport tubes, protective sleeves in optical instruments.
Automotive & Transportation
High-temperature sensor sleeves in engine compartments, specific fittings in fuel systems, wear-resistant bushings in braking systems.
Industrial Equipment
Instrument protection tubes in high-temperature and high-pressure environments, linings for corrosive media transport pipes, precision bushings in sliding bearings.
Energy Sector
Radiation-resistant sleeves in nuclear power plants, sensor protection tubes in high-temperature and high-pressure environments.
Allstar Material PI Tube Supply Range (from our factory)
Allstar Material offers a comprehensive range of high-quality PI (Polyimide) tubes directly from our factory, ensuring precision, durability, and performance for various industrial and engineering applications.
|
PI Tube Supply Range |
|
|---|---|
|
Inner Diameter (ID) |
12 - 138 mm |
|
Outer Diameter (OD) |
23 - 230 mm |
|
Length |
Custom (Per customer requirements) |
Key Properties Reference for Unfilled PI Material
The table below lists some key performance indicators of typical unfilled polyimide material, which can serve as a reference for the performance of pure PI tubes (specific values may vary slightly depending on tube specifications, manufacturing processes, and testing standards):
|
Performance Indicator |
Unit |
Reference Value (Range) |
Test Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Density |
g/cm³ |
1.38 - 1.43 |
ISO 1183 |
|
Tensile Strength |
MPa |
80 - 120 |
ISO 527 |
|
Elongation at Break |
% |
15-05-2025 |
ISO 527 |
|
Flexural Modulus |
GPa |
3.0 - 4.5 |
ISO 178 |
|
Heat Deflection Temp (HDT, 1.8MPa) |
°C |
260 - 300+ |
ISO 75 |
|
Continuous Service Temp. |
°C |
≥ 260 |
- |
|
Volume Resistivity |
Ω·cm |
> 10¹⁶ |
IEC 60093 |
|
Dielectric Strength |
kV/mm |
> 20 |
IEC 60243 |
|
Water Absorption (23°C, 24h) |
% |
< 0.5 |
ISO 62 |
Note: The data above are typical values for pure PI material and are for preliminary selection reference only. For detailed performance parameters of specific PI tube products from our factory, please be sure to contact our technical team or request the latest product specification sheet. Dalian Allstar Material offers PI tubes in various specifications and can perform precision machining according to your drawing requirements.
Looking for high-performance, high-reliability PI tubes for your application?
Dalian Allstar Material is your ideal partner for PI tubes and precision machining in China. We offer PI tubes from standard specifications to complex modifications, as well as high-precision secondary processing services.
