PAI is the acronym for polyamide-imide, a polymer that offers the highest strength and stiffness of any commercial thermoplastic at extremely high temperature and stress. Parts made of Torlon® PAI perform under conditions generally considered too severe for other thermoplastics.
For this reason, critical mechanical and structural components for jet engines, automotive transmissions, oil recovery, off-road vehicles and heavy-duty equipment are manufactured from Torlon® PAI.
Torlon® PAI offers the highest strength and stiffness of any thermoplastic up to 275°C (525°F). It has outstanding resistance to wear, creep, and chemicals – including strong acids and most organics – and is ideally suited for severe service environments. Other advantages include superior toughness at cryogenic temperatures, low coefficient of thermal expansion and outstanding resistance to aviation and automotive fluids.
For more information, consult the Torlon® PAI Design Guide.
Unlike other commercial thermoplastics, Torlon® PAI retains usable mechanical properties up to 275°C (525°F). Unlike polyimide, Torlon® PAI, is easier to process because it can be injection molded, which translates low unit cost for exactly replicated parts.
- High-strength, unfilled grades
- High-strength, glass fiber and carbon fiber reinforced grades
- Wear-resistant grades for various PVs in dry and lubricated environments
Specialty grades for undercut tooling, such as deep groove bearings
Torlon® PAI is also available in extrusion and compression molding grades, which are used to produce stock shapes for machining and low-volume production.
A related line of Torlon® amide-imide (AI) powders, also available from Syensqo Specialty Polymers, are used to manufacture high-temperature adhesives, non-stick coating primers, composite matrices, coatings and films.
For more information, consult the Torlon® PAI Design Guide.
Material Safety Datasheets can be obtained by contacting Specialty Polymers Representative.
Torlon® PAI combines the mechanical and ultra-high temperature benefits of a polyimide with the significant advantage of being melt-processable like any standard polyamide. It is not difficult to process Torlon® PAI, as it can be molded in any standard injection molding machine. However, a very low compression screw is required and a few other modifications are necessary. In addition, a curing step is required to maximize both mechanical and chemical resistance properties. This curing step has to be managed with standard state-of-the-art ovens.
Qualified Torlon® PAI processors are present in all regions of the world, and they demonstrate outstanding processing capabilities with world class yields and excellent quality. In order to maintain and ensure that the highest quality standards are met, we require that all Torlon® PAI molders become an “Approved Molder” via a Syensqo qualification process.
If you need to locate an approved Torlon® PAI molder or if you like to become an approved molder, please contact your Syensqo Specialty Polymers Technical Marketing Representative.
For more information, consult the Torlon® PAI Processing Guide.
Torlon® PAI base resins and compounds are produced in Syensqo’s U.S. plant in Greenville, South Carolina, using state-of-the-art manufacturing technology.
Quadrant Plastics and Drake Plastics are Syensqo’s official and exclusive distributors of various sizes of plaques, rods, and tubes made from Torlon® PAI. Quadrant Plastics markets Torlon® PAI stock shapes under the Duratron® trade name.
Please contact your Specialty Polymers Technical Marketing representative to find the partner to best address your needs.
Torlon® PAI is virtually unaffected by aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated and fluorinated hydrocarbons, and most acids at moderate temperatures. However, the polymer may be attacked by saturated steam, strong bases, and some high-temperature acid systems. Proper post-cure of Torlon® PAI parts is necessary to achieve optimal chemical resistance.
Please contact your Specialty Polymers Technical Marketing Representative for more information.
For more information, consult the Torlon® PAI Design Guide.