Polyimide based purge media and methods relating thereto

A method is disclosed for the manufacture of a powdered polyimide extrudate for use as a purge media. The method includes feeding a polyimide film material into an extruder having a first zone that provides heating and a subsequent second zone that provides endothermic shearing. In one embodiment, the resulting purge media comprises a sheared polyimide powder having an average particle size in a range of about 5 to 100 microns (or any sub-range thereof). The purge media can comprises up to 35 weight percent other additives.