Side-by-side technical comparisons to help you choose the right material for your application. Backed by verified data from Chinese manufacturers.
Compare the three leading high-performance polymers across thermal, mechanical, chemical, and economic properties.
| Property | PEEK | PTFE | PI Film |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Service Temp (°C) | 250–300 | 260 | 400–500 |
| Tensile Strength (MPa) | 90–165 | 21–35 | 170–400 |
| Chemical Resistance | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Dielectric Properties | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Machinability | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Typical Cost (USD/kg) | $45–130 | $12–40 | $50–200/m² |
| Best Applications | Seals, Bearings, Aerospace | Gaskets, Lining, Electrical | Flexible Circuits, Insulation |
| Key Advantage | Mechanical + Thermal | Chemical Inertness | Extreme Temp + Electrical |
| Key Limitation | High Cost | Cold Flow | Processing Difficulty |
Choose PEEK when you need the best balance of mechanical strength, thermal stability (up to 300°C), and machinability — ideal for seals, bearings, and aerospace components where reliability under load matters most.
Choose PTFE for applications requiring maximum chemical inertness and outstanding dielectric properties. PTFE is the most cost-effective option at $12–40/kg, but its low tensile strength and cold flow limit structural use.
Choose PI Film (Polyimide) when extreme temperature resistance (400–500°C) and excellent electrical properties are critical — the top choice for flexible circuits, aerospace wire insulation, and high-performance electronics.
Tensile strength, modulus, cost, and application comparison across Torayca-grade carbon fiber standards.
| Property | T700 | T800 | T1000 | T1200 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength (MPa) | 4,900 | 5,880 | 7,060 | 7,800 |
| Modulus (GPa) | 230 | 294 | 324 | 360 |
| Cost Index (T700=1x) | 1× | 1.5× | 2.5× | 3× |
| Primary Use | Sporting Goods, Auto | Aerospace, Industrial | Defense, Aerospace | Space, Nuclear |
| Availability | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ |
T700 is the workhorse — readily available and cost-effective. Perfect for sporting goods, automotive components, and general industrial applications where 4,900 MPa strength is sufficient.
T800 offers a strong strength-to-cost ratio. The 20% strength increase over T700 at 1.5× the cost makes it the preferred choice for aerospace primary structures and high-performance industrial parts.
T1000 and T1200 are premium grades for the most demanding applications — defense, aerospace, space, and nuclear sectors. T1200 delivers 7,800 MPa tensile strength with a 360 GPa modulus, but limited availability and premium pricing (3× T700) restrict its use to mission-critical applications.
How silica aerogel compares against mineral wool, polyurethane foam, and calcium silicate across key insulation metrics.
| Property | Silica Aerogel | Mineral Wool | PU Foam | Calcium Silicate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thermal Cond. (W/m·K) | 0.018–0.020 | 0.035–0.040 | 0.022–0.028 | 0.050–0.065 |
| Max Temp (°C) | 650–1000 | 600–700 | 120–150 | 650–1000 |
| Thickness for Same R-value | 1× | 2× | 1.5× | 3× |
| Weight (kg/m³) | 160–220 | 100–200 | 30–50 | 200–350 |
| Hydrophobic Option | Yes | Limited | Yes | No |
| Service Life (years) | 15–20 | 10–15 | 8–12 | 15–20 |
Silica Aerogel is the premium choice when space is at a premium and maximum thermal performance is required. Its thermal conductivity (0.018 W/m·K) is the lowest in class, requiring only 1× thickness for a given R-value. Best for industrial pipelines, aerospace, and high-temperature applications where weight and space constraints matter.
Mineral Wool is a reliable, cost-effective option for building insulation and industrial applications up to 700°C. Wider availability and lower cost make it the default choice for general insulation needs.
PU Foam offers good thermal performance (0.022 W/m·K) with the lightest weight (30–50 kg/m³) and hydrophobic properties. Ideal for building envelope insulation where temperature doesn't exceed 150°C. Calcium Silicate is best for high-temperature industrial insulation up to 1000°C when budget is a primary concern, though it requires 3× the thickness of aerogel for equivalent R-value.
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