PBI / Celazole® Compression Molding

PBI (polybenzimidazole) is a highly stable linear, wholly aromatic molecule, characterized by high thermal stability and outstanding strength.  PBI has perhaps the best high-temperature properties of any commercially available polymer.

PBI / Celazole® Properties

1. •Highest glass-transition temperature (Tg) (427°C, 801°F) of any thermoplastic
   

2. •Highest heat deflection temperature (HDT) of any thermoplastic (435°C, 815°F at 264 psi)
   

3. •Can withstand brief exposure up to 760°C (1400°F)
   

4. •Retains its properties down to -196°C (-321°F)
   

5. •No known melting point (does not melt)
   

6. •Doesn’t burn
   

7. •Produces little smoke or out-gasses (besides water) at 538°C (1000°F)
   

8. •Excellent tensile and flexural strength
   

9. •Highest dimensional stability of any unfilled plastic
   

10. •Highest compressive strength of any unfilled plastic
    

11. •Especially high strength during compression and after recovery from compression
    

12. •Excellent hardness
    

13. •Flex-fatigue resistant
    

14. •Excellent wear resistance
    

15. •Superior abrasion resistance
    

16. •Ultrasonic transparency
    

17. •Very good plasma resistance
    

18. •High volume resistivity
    

19. •Excellent thermal insulator
    

20. •Resists many harsh chemical environments but is attacked by aprotic solvents and (at high temperatures) by strong aqueous acids and alkalis
    

21. •Low coefficient of friction
    

22. •Relatively low coefficient of thermal expansion, similar to aluminum
    

23. •Slowly absorbs a high percentage of water but won’t react with it, is hydrolytically stable and resistant to high-pressure steam
    

24. •Compatibility with other polymers, including polyaryletherketones (PAEK) such as PEEK
    

25. •Very expensive
    

PBI / Celazole® Applications

Because PBI can perform in severe high-temperature chemical or plasma environments where other plastics fail (even PEEK, PI, PEI, PAI and PPS), PBI is usually specified for use in extremely harsh environments.  Examples would include 400-500 °F exposures to oil, methane, sour gas, hydrogen sulfide, steam, corrosion inhibitors, hydraulic and heat-transfer fluids, chlorinated solvents and brine.

PBI is molded and machined to make precision parts for many industries:

1. •Aerospace
   

2. •Chemical processing
   

3. •Glassmaking
   

4. •Liquid-crystal display (LCD) panel manufacturing
   

5. •Petrochemical
   

6. •Photovoltaic (PV) panel manufacturing
   

High-purity/ultra-low metal ion content grade PBI is used in:

1. •Dry etch chambers
   

2. •Sputtering systems
   

3. •Chemical vapor deposition (CVD)
   

4. •Physical vapor deposition (PVD)
   

5. •Spin coating
   

Where static discharge is a concern, electrostatic dissipative grade PBI is used.  This grade contains carbon fiber for increased conductivity.

Because other plastics (such as polyester, nylon, PEEK and PES) in their molten state won’t stick to PBI, it is used to make certain components for plastic production and molding equipment.

PBI can be blended with PEEK and is available in unfilled, lubricated, glass-filled and  carbon-filled grades.

PBI is well suited for use in fluorinated plasmas.

Compression-molded PBI / Celazole® Parts

1. •Bushings
   

2. •Insulator bushings
   

3. •Seals
   

4. •Contact seals
   

5. •Bearings
   

6. •Thrust washers
   

7. •Thermal isolators
   

8. •Guide rollers
   

9. •Wear plates
   

10. •Electrical insulating parts
    

11. •Nose cones
    

12. •Leading edges
    

13. •Ablative heat shields
    

14. •Jet engine parts
    

15. •Oxide etch chamber parts
    

16. •Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) chamber seals
    

17. •Etch chamber lifting pins
    

18. •Interior chamber screws and components
    

19. •Focus rings
    

20. •Wafer clamps and contact pads
    

21. •Wafer retaining clamps
    

22. •Sputtering chamber clamps and components
    

23. •Vacuum tips
    

24. •Wafer carriers
    

25. •Physical vapor deposition (PVD) tools
    

26. •Spin coating tools
    

27. •Probe tip lenses for ultrasonic measuring devices
    

PBI Compression Molding Resins

Celazole® PBI from PBI Performance Products

1. •Celazole® U-60 PBI
   

2. •Celazole® U-60SD PBI
   

3. •Celazole® U-60ESD PBI