PBS Plastics is pleased to offer custom tubing and profiles made from Polysulfone (PSU), a versatile thermoplastic with characteristics that make it ideal for applications in medical devices, sterilization equipment, beverage processing, industrial separations, and semi-conductors.
Polysulfone has one of the highest service temperatures among all melt-processable thermoplastics. Its resistance to high temperatures gives it a role of a flame retardant, without compromising its strength as would usually result from the addition of flame retardants. High hydrolysis stability allows its use in medical applications requiring autoclave and steam sterilization.
Polysulfone is highly resistant to mineral acids, alkali, and electrolytes, in pH ranging from 2 to 13. It is resistant to oxidizing agents, therefore it can be cleaned by bleaches. It is also resistant to surfactants and hydrocarbon oils, while not resistant to low-polar organic solvents (e.g. ketones and chlorinated hydrocarbons) and aromatic hydrocarbons. Mechanically, Polysulfone has high compaction resistance, recommending its use under high pressures. While stable in aqueous acids and bases and many non-polar solvents, it is soluble in dichloromethane and methylpyrrolidone.
Useful Characteristics of Polysulfone:
- Excellent Thermal Stability: very high long-term service temperature and constant properties throughout a broad temperature range
- High Toughness and Mechanical Strength
- Good Environmental Stress Cracking Resistance
- High Heat Deflection temperature, 174°C (345°F)
- Combustion Resistance
- Excellent Dimensional Stability
- Low Shrinkage
- Transparency
- Low Creep
- Good Electrical Insulation properties
- Extremely High Resistance to Hydrolysis
These resins are also highly resistant to degradation by gamma or electron beam radiation. Electrical properties of polysulfones are stable over a wide temperature range and after immersion in water or exposure to high humidity.
Polysulfone excels in many fluid-handling applications and has successfully replaced brass in pressurized hot water applications for over 20 years. It exhibits low creep under a sustained load at elevated temperatures and can withstand continuous exposure to hot chlorinated water.
Contact PBS to discuss your R&D needs with polysulfone and the wide range of materials we work with. We welcome your challenging projects.