PRECISION MACHINING WITH TORLONĀ® PLASTIC

TorlonĀ® (polyamide-imide) stands as one of the strongest and most heat-resistant thermoplastics available, making it ideal for demanding applications in aerospace, automotive, and electronics. Torlon is also known for its intense chemical resistance and outstanding mechanical strength even at elevated temperatures. Controlled Fluidics machines Torlon parts with exacting precision, delivering tight tolerances without issue.Ā 

Pete Poodiack, VP of Sales and Marketing at Controlled Fluidics, talks more about Torlon plastic and what makes it a popular material for plastic machining and fabrication.

Transcript

Hello. This video is about Torlon. At Controlled Fluidics, we see this material used in a lot of aerospace components and electrical applications, but it's also common for medical devices and metal processing components.

Torlon has very high impact and compressive strength, and it offers better performance than most engineered plastics. It also has great dimensional stability with low creep and a low coefficient of thermal expansion.

This material works very well in high-stress conditions, and it can handle temperatures up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. It has very strong chemical resistance, and it's also resistant to aromatic, aliphatic, chlorinated, and fluorinated hydrocarbons.

On the downside, Torlon is a bit more difficult to machine than some similar materials, and it also requires carbide tooling. That can increase project costs, but the investment is worth it for clients who want the advantages of this material.

At Controlled Fluidics, we work with two grades of Torlon, the 4203 grade and the 4301 grade. The 4203 variety has better heat resistance and dimensional stability with a low coefficient of thermal expansion. That makes it popular for electrical insulation that's exposed to elevated temperatures and devices that require radiation resistance.

The 4301 tends to be the better option if you're focused on impact and compressive strength, but it also has great heat resistance. We see the 4301 Torlon used commonly for bearings, seals, and valves in non-lubricated applications.

This only covers the basics. Learn more about Torlon Plastic on our materials page.