Duratron CU60 PBI

Duratron® CU60 PBI (Polybenzimidazole) offers the highest heat resistance and mechanical property retention over 400 degrees of  any engineering thermoplastic available today.  It has better wear resistance and load carrying capabilities at extreme temperatures than any other reinforced or unreinforced engineering thermoplastic.

As an unreinforced material, Duratron® CU60 PBI is very “clean” in terms of ionic impurity and it does not outgas (except water) in a vacuum.  These characteristics make this material very attractive to semiconductor manufacturers for vacuum chamber applications. Duratron® CU60 PBI has excellent ultrasonic transparency which makes it an ideal choice for parts such as probe tip lenses in ultrasonic measuring equipment.

Duratron® CU60 PBI is also an excellent thermal insulator. Other plastics in melt do not stick to PBI.  These characteristics make it ideal for contact seals and insulator bushings in plastic production and molding equipment.

  • Highest mechanical properties of any plastic above 400°F (204°C)
  • Highest heat deflection temperature 800°F (427°C), with a continuous service capability of 750°F (399°C) in inert environments, or 650°F (343°C) in air with short term exposure potential to 1,000°F (538°C)
  • Lowest coefficient of thermal expansion and highest compressive strength of all unfilled plastics.
Specification Test Value Units
Specific Gravity, 73°F D792  1.3 Lb/in.3
Tensile Strength @ Yield, 73°F D638  16,000 psi
Tensile Modulus of Elasticity, 73°F D638  850,000 psi
Tensile Elongation (at break), 73°F D638  2 %
Flexural Strength, 73°F D790  32,000 psi
Flexural Modulus of Elasticity D790  950,000 psi
Shear Strength, 73°F D732  – psi
Compressive Strength – Ultimate  – psi
Compressive Strength at 2% Deformation D695  – psi
Compressive Strength at 10% Deformation D695  50,000 psi
Deformation Under Load %
Compressive Modulus of Elasticity, 73°F D695  900,000
Compressive Strength ⊥ to Laminate (Modulus)  – psi
Compressive Strength ⊥ to Laminate (Yield)  – psi
Compressive Strength ⊥ to Laminate (Ultimate)  – psi
Hardness, Durometer (Shore “D” scale) D2240  D94
Hardness, Rockwell (Scale as noted) D785  E105 (M125) Rockwell M
Izod Impact, Notched @ 73°F D256 Type A  0.5 ft.lbs/in. of notch
Coefficient of Friction (Dry vs Steel) Static PTM55007
Coefficient of Friction (Dry vs Steel) Dynamic PTM55007  .24
Maximum Static Bearing Load (P) PTM55007 psi
Maximum Unlubricated No Load Bearing Velocity (V) PTM55007 ft/minute
Maximum Limiting PV (Unlubricated) PTM55007  37,000 psi x ft/min.
Wear Factor “K” x 10-10 PTM55010  60 Cubic in.-min/ft.lbs.hr
Sand Wheel Wear/Abrasion Test UHMW=100
Minimum Mating Surface Hardness Rockwell (Brinnell)
Coefficient of Linear Thermal Expansion E-831(TMA)  1.3 in/in/°F x 10-5
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion // to Laminates E-831(TMA)  1.3 in/in/°F x 10-5
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion I to Laminates E-831(TMA)  1.3 in/in/°F x 10-5
Softening Point °F
Heat Deflection Temperature 264 psi D648  800 (DMA) °F
Embrittlement Temperature °F Min.
Continuous Service Temperature in Air °F Max.
Short Term Service Temperature  650 °F Max.
Tg-Glass Transition (Amorphous) D3418  750 (DMA) °F
Melting Point (Crystalline Peak) D3418  N/A °F
Thermal Conductivity F433  2.8 BTU-in/(hr/ft2°F)
Dielectric Strength Short Term D149  550 Volts/mil
Volume Resistivity D257 ohm/cm
Surface Resistivity D257  >10-5 ohm/cm
Dielectric Constant, 106 Hz D150  3.2
Dissipation Factor, 106 Hz D150  .003
Flammability @ 3.1mm (1/8 in.) UL94 UL94  V-0
Arc Resistance seconds
Water Absorption, Immersion 24 Hours D570 (2)  0.4 %
Water Absorption, Immersion Saturation D570 (2)  5 %
Machinability Rating  10 1=easy, 10=difficult
Rod Diameter Availability (Off the Shelf) 1  .375-3.75 inches
Sheet Thickness Availability (Off the Shelf) .25  .5-1.5 inches
Characteristics / Attributes  Highest Mechanical Properties of any plastic above 400 degrees F. 650 Degrees F. continuous service temperature