Low Temperature
Plastics for low temperature and cryogenic environments
Low temperature plastics are used in cold, freezer, outdoor, and cryogenic environments where reduced service temperatures can affect toughness, dimensional stability, friction and wear, and sealing performance.
UHMW is often used where toughness and abrasion resistance are needed in cold environments. Cryogenic seals are frequently manufactured from PEEK and DuPont™ Vespel® since these polymers have moderate modulus at low temperatures. Low friction grades such as DuPont™ Vespel® SP-21 and TECAPEEK® PVX allow for low actuation torque when used in valves and regulators with low service temperatures.
Use this page to compare plastic materials for low temperature applications and review options for seals, bearings, valves, regulators, wear parts, guides, liners, and fabricated or machined components. Review the plastic properties table, ask a plastics expert, or get a quote to discuss material availability, sizing, documentation, or fabrication needs.
Curbell Plastics can help you:
- Compare plastics for cold, freezer, outdoor, and cryogenic operating environments.
- Evaluate material options for seals, bearings, valves, regulators, wear parts, guides, liners, and fabricated or machined components.
- Review service temperature, impact exposure, load, friction, wear, chemical exposure, and dimensional-stability requirements before selecting a material.
DuPont™ Vespel® Polyimide
Extremely high temperature creep resistant plastic with excellent friction and wear characteristics.
GPO-3 Thermoset
A glass reinforced thermoset polyester material with excellent mechanical and electrical properties.
LE Linen Phenolic
A composite sheet material that consists of electrical grade phenolic resin impregnated into layers of linen fabric.
Torlon® PAI
Extremely stong, stiff, dimensionally stable plastic material often used in elevated temperature environments.
PCTFE
Fluoropolymer with outstanding dimensional stability, mechanical properties, and temperature range.
PEEK
Strong, stiff plastic with outstanding chemical resistance; performs over a wide range of temperatures.
PFA
Flexible fluoropolymer that performs well in extreme temperature and harsh chemical environments.
PTFE
Low friction engineering plastic with outstanding chemical, high temperature, and weathering resistance.
UHMW
Extremely tough abrasion resistant, low cost plastic, used for a wide range of wear applications.
DuPont™ Vespel® Polyimide
Extremely high temperature creep resistant plastic with excellent friction and wear characteristics.
GPO-3 Thermoset
A glass reinforced thermoset polyester material with excellent mechanical and electrical properties.
LE Linen Phenolic
A composite sheet material that consists of electrical grade phenolic resin impregnated into layers of linen fabric.
Torlon® PAI
Extremely stong, stiff, dimensionally stable plastic material often used in elevated temperature environments.
PCTFE
Fluoropolymer with outstanding dimensional stability, mechanical properties, and temperature range.
PEEK
Strong, stiff plastic with outstanding chemical resistance; performs over a wide range of temperatures.
PFA
Flexible fluoropolymer that performs well in extreme temperature and harsh chemical environments.
PTFE
Low friction engineering plastic with outstanding chemical, high temperature, and weathering resistance.
UHMW
Extremely tough abrasion resistant, low cost plastic, used for a wide range of wear applications.
Not sure which materials best fit your needs?
Our experienced sales and technical teams are available to assist you with material selection challenges.
