Polyphenylene Sulfide Popular Material In Engineering Plastics

Within the many popular materials of engineering plastics, one material that is widely recognized is Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS).

Did you know that engineering plastics are subject to long-term mechanical stress and chemical and physical environments? Engineering plastics have to withstand mechanical stress for a long time, but also have to withstand the chemical and physical environment, and polyphenylene sulfide is quite outstanding in this regard.

It has better mechanical properties, electrical properties, chemical resistance, heat resistance, abrasion resistance and dimensional stability than general plastics. The key is that it is lighter than metal, easy to carry out complex design, energy consumption is also small, so it is widely used in electronics, construction, automotive, machinery, aerospace and many other fields.

Heat resistance is even better, melting point can reach 275 - 291 ℃, heat distortion temperature of 135 ℃, glass fiber reinforced heat distortion temperature up to 260 ℃. In air and nitrogen, the initial weakening temperature of about 400 ° C, 700 ° C in the air decomposition, 1000 ° C inert gas can still maintain 40% of the weight. Long-term use temperature 200 - 240 ℃, gas barrier thermal resistance and long-term continuous use of thermal stability than all current engineering plastics.

Mechanical properties, it is good rigidity, but prone to stress embrittlement, not resistant to benzene, gasoline and other organic solvents. However, after adding glass fiber or other reinforcing materials modified, impact strength, heat resistance and other mechanical properties can be greatly improved, suitable for the production of heat-resistant parts, insulating parts, chemical instruments, optical instruments and other parts.

Due to its stable chemical structure and sulfur content, pure polyphenylene sulfide can pass the UL-94 V0 flame retardant test with a thickness of only 0.8mm, which is a non-combustible plastic, and therefore has important uses in the field of radiation resistance requirements. Not only that, its corrosion resistance is also extremely excellent, in addition to strong oxidizing acid, almost resistant to most acids, alkalis and salt corrosion, chemical stability close to PTFE, but also weather and radiation resistance.

Electrical properties are also excellent, high temperature and high humidity conditions, the volume resistivity change is small, the dielectric constant with temperature and frequency change is also small, high resistivity, low dielectric properties, suitable for the electrical properties of the products require very high.

Its processing performance is good, low melt viscosity, good fluidity, easy to wet contact with glass fiber, filling and bonding is convenient, high bonding strength to glass, aluminum, stainless steel and other materials. Outstanding dimensional stability, low water and oil absorption, small molding shrinkage and coefficient of linear expansion, product dimensional stability, in a humid or corrosive environment can still maintain stability, suitable for precision molding.

And look at its applications, which are really wide-ranging:

In the field of automotive parts, it can replace metals and thermosetting resins for engine parts, drive parts, brake parts, fuel parts, lighting parts, cooling parts, and so on.

In residential facilities and precision equipment, such as water heaters, water-related equipment, and precision parts, PPE materials are gradually replacing metal materials and deformed PPE materials because of characteristics such as hot water resistance, pressure resistance, and toughness.

In the electrical/electronic parts field, it is commonly used in electrical/electronic parts such as connectors, and its high heat resistance, precision molding, dimensional stability, and high flame retardancy make it an ideal molding material.

In the field of machinery industry and chemical industry, it is blended with glass fiber, mineral filler or carbon fiber to form composite materials, which are used to manufacture mechanical parts and chemical equipment.

In the field of lithium batteries, its heat resistance, insulation and electrical properties make it a big hit.

In the field of environmental protection, PPS fiber products have strong application potential in waste gas and dust treatment, high temperature resistance, corrosion resistance and flame retardant properties can improve the service life of dust removal equipment, in steel mills, incinerators, electric heating plants and other environments play a significant role.

Next, let's compare polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) with another high-performance engineering plastic, PEEK.

In terms of heat resistance, PEEK has a long-term service temperature of 260°C, which is slightly higher than PPS. However, polyphenylene sulfide has a relative advantage in terms of cost.

In terms of mechanical properties, the strength and toughness of PEEK is usually better than that of polyphenylene sulfide, although polyphenylene sulfide can be modified to meet the needs of many application scenarios.

In terms of processing performance, Polyphenylene Sulfide has a lower melt viscosity, better fluidity, and is relatively easier to process and mold.

From a price perspective, PPS is generally more affordable than PEEK, making it more popular for cost-sensitive applications.

Polyphenylene sulfide and PEEK each have their advantages, and the choice for a specific application depends on the specific use requirements and cost considerations.

Polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) is a versatile engineering plastic that excels in a variety of areas. As a molding material, it can replace metals and heat-curing resins, has good continuous heat and chemical resistance, improves productivity and reduces costs, and its many excellent characteristics make it widely used in various fields and bring many benefits to related industries.