Excellent Performance of PPSU Materials in Food Applications

What is PPSU and is PPSU a food grade plastic?

PPSU is an amorphous thermoplastic that is highly transparent and hydrolytically stable. The product can withstand repeated steam sterilization.

PPSU, scientific name: Polyphenylene sulfone resins (Polyphenylene sulfone resins) PPSU polyphenylene sulfone resins are Polysulfone (Polysulfone) referred to as PSF series of products . It is a novel thermoplastic engineering plastics, refers to the main chain of molecules containing sulfone group and aromatic nuclei of polymer compounds, non-crystalline.

PPSU Polyphenylsulfone is a high-performance engineering plastics, with high temperature resistance, flame retardant, high strength and other excellent properties, in the medical, food, electronics, automotive and other fields have a wide range of applications.PPSU can be used for food contact materials, but whether it is a food-grade plastics need to look at the PPSU manufacturer to obtain the appropriate certification. Generally speaking, PPSU certified by the U.S. FDA can be regarded as food-grade materials, in line with the relevant health standards.

In applications, PPSU is usually used in the manufacture of tableware, pacifiers, food processing equipment, drinking water bottles and other food contact parts. Moreover, PPSU material has good high temperature resistance and can remain stable in heating and sterilization, so it is widely favored by consumers and manufacturers.

PPSU is a reliable food contact material

1. Excellent performance of the material itself

Polyphenylsulfone (ployphenylsulfone, abbreviated as PPSU), is a type of sulfone polymers, belongs to the special engineering plastics, high temperature plastics. With excellent physical and chemical properties, it can replace thermosetting plastics, metals and ceramics in the fields of healthcare, automotive, aviation, electronics and electrical, etc. It can be processed into high-quality parts and high-load products through injection molding, extrusion, blow molding, machining and so on.

PPSU resin properties are as follows:

- Transparent

- High temperature resistance of 180°C

- Hydrolysis resistant

- Chemical resistant

- Non-toxic, food contactable, FDA compliant

- Resistant to steam sterilization

- Good electrical properties

- High mechanical strength

- High mechanical strength Ultra-high toughness, impact resistance

- Good dimensional stability

- Flame retardant, UL94V-0 grade

It is worth noting that because the PPSU resin itself is non-toxic and does not release BPA, it is very friendly to babies and children as a food-contactable material, and in recent years, it has become a reassuring material for the manufacture of baby bottles in the global maternal and child fields.

2. Compliance with international requirements

Internationally, developed countries and regions, especially in Europe and the United States, pay more and more attention to the safety of food-contact materials, and constantly introduce and update the relevant regulations and directives, and implement strict market access to ensure the quality and safety of food-contact materials and products.

PPSU resins and products have passed the U.S. FDA, EU10-2011 test, but also passed the Bisphenol A residue, potassium permanganate consumption, heavy metal content, phthalate content and other aspects of the single test, the product does not contain Bisphenol A, does not contain plasticizers and heavy metals, in line with the international requirements related to food contact materials.

3. Excellent performance of PPSU in food containers

In the field of food containers, PPSU material can be used to replace glass, metal ceramics and thermosetting materials. Compared with other types of resins, PPSU tableware performs very well.

Higher temperature resistance

With a temperature resistance of 180 degrees Celsius, PPSU can fully meet the needs of daily use in the home and more demanding environments without releasing substances such as BPA.

Microwaveable

Completely suitable for use in microwave ovens.

More resistant to steam sterilization

Can withstand high temperature steam sterilization/cleaning cycles, suitable for sterilizers and dishwashers, and performance remains unchanged.

Recyclable and reusable

Can be repeatedly used and recycled, there is a certain space in the replacement of disposable tableware, conducive to saving resources, environmental protection.

Good chemical resistance, no residue

In the corrosive detergents and disinfectants, water and extreme heat conditions, will not be affected by the joint action, no residue, will not adsorb food odors and stains, easy to clean.

Flame retardant

PPSU resin is flame retardant, hardly releases heat and any harmful substances in case of fire, and is now used in airline lunch boxes.

Drop Resistant

Drop-resistant and shatterproof, child-friendly, such as PPSU milk bottle cases that have been applied so far.

Lightweight

Compared with traditional food containers, the material is lighter and easier to use.

Transparent

Transparent material, no added substances, easy to increase the user's visual experience.

Highly Transparent Food Grade Specialty Plastic PPSU Has Penetrated Life

PPSU is made of polyphenylsulfone resin, is a PSF series of products, as we all know polysulfone has passed the U.S. pharmaceutical, food field of the relevant norms, can replace the stainless steel products, we all know that the polysulfone as a kind of amorphous thermoplastic, not only can be repeated resistance to high-temperature steam sterilization and disinfection, not easy to dissolve in the presence of water, the dimensions especially for the stability of the good, it is a good heating liner appliances in our daily lives, we can say it is equal good material to make with PPSU. Like the body of the air fryer, microwave oven cover, coffee maker, etc., with PPSU production can be said to be equal to the good material, and its material heating, will not produce any toxic gases.

Secondly, PPSU polyphenylsulfone has excellent resistance to drugs and acids and alkalis, can withstand the general medicine and detergent cleaning, will not produce chemical changes, is a very good carrier of chemicals, the material is also particularly transparent, used to load the effect of chemicals and glass have the same wonder, and its material is also resistant to radiation and aging, long-term exposure to sunlight does not matter, it is a rare and ideal material.

And special engineering plastics can also be added to other composite materials, change its performance, so that the application range is more and more broad.

Typical applications for PPSU materials include beverage preparation accessories, hot water boilers, window sights, and fume hoods for fryers and rice cookers. It offers the industry's broadest portfolio of specialty polymers for food service applications. In addition, PPSU materials are used in a variety of food contact applications such as coffee makers, juicers, air fryers, rice cookers, kitchen utensils, catering and microwave trays, food processing applications and other kitchen appliances. These applications ensure mechanical and aesthetic performance.

What is the difference in performance between food contact grade materials PPSU and PC?

In our daily life, PPSU and PC are two common food contact grade materials, they have their own advantages and disadvantages in different application scenarios, here are their four main differences:

1. High-temperature resistance: PPSU has better high-temperature resistance than PC, and can withstand temperatures up to 260°C, while PC's maximum use temperature is only about 130°C. Therefore, if you need a container or part that can withstand high temperatures, PPSU is the better choice.

2. Transparency: PPSU is more transparent than PC, and can reach over 92%, while the light transmission of PC is usually around 80%. Therefore, if you focus on the transparency of the material, you can choose containers or parts made of PPSU.

3. Impact resistance: PPSU is more impact resistant than PC, higher hardness and better toughness, even when subjected to severe impact is not easy to rupture. PC, on the other hand, is relatively fragile and prone to cracking or breaking. Therefore, if you need a more durable container or part, you can choose PPSU material.

4. Safety: PPSU is a non-toxic, tasteless, colorless, odorless polymer material that does not contain any harmful substances and meets the requirements of food-grade materials. PC, on the other hand, contains harmful substances such as bisphenol A (BPA), which may affect human health in long-term use. Therefore, if you have requirements for material safety, you can choose containers or parts made of PPSU.

Overall, PPSU and PC have their own advantages and disadvantages in different application scenarios, and the specific choice should be decided according to the actual needs. If you need a container or part that can withstand high temperatures, high transparency, strong impact resistance, and good safety, then PPSU is a better choice; if you need a relatively low price, moderate light transmission rate of the material, then PC is also a good choice.

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