Material guide
PPSU, polyphenylsulfone
PPSU, polyphenylsulfone. The toughest member of the polysulfone family, built for parts that have to be sterilized thousands of times and take a knock into the bargain. The top choice when the autoclave runs hot around the clock.
What it is
PPSU, polyphenylsulfone, is the most durable plastic in the polysulfone family. It takes the same repeated sterilization as PSU, but handles more cycles and also has considerably higher impact strength, so the part withstands both hot steam and a knock without cracking. The material keeps its strength and shape in heat, resists many cleaning agents and disinfectants and belongs in the most demanding hygiene and medical technology applications. PPSU sits in the premium segment and is chosen when PSU is not quite enough. It is available as a pure grade and in filled versions, more about that under grades.
Properties
Withstands a very high number of sterilization cycles in autoclave and steam without breaking down
Tougher than PSU, withstands impacts without cracking
High continuous heat resistance, keeps its strength and shape in heat
Good resistance to cleaning agents and disinfectants
Dimensionally stable and stiff even in heat
Better resistance to stress cracking than PSU
Common applications
PPSU sits where sterilization meets mechanical stress. Typical parts are sterilization baskets and instrument components in medical technology, couplings and vessels in hot water and steam systems, plus components in dentistry and laboratories that are run in the autoclave over and over again. It is also used for parts that have to withstand both repeated sterilization and the risk of being dropped on the floor. When a designer needs the material that survives even more sterilization cycles than PSU and also tolerates rough handling, the choice often lands on PPSU.
Limitations
PPSU is a premium material and more expensive than PSU, so it is chosen when the extra impact strength and sterilization resistance are genuinely needed. If PSU is enough for your case, you are paying for PPSU unnecessarily. Like the rest of the family, the material is sensitive to certain solvents and greasy media that can cause stress cracking, even though PPSU handles it better than PSU. UV and weather outdoors are not its strong side either. If your part needs higher chemical resistance in an aggressive environment, a fluoroplastic such as PVDF or PTFE suits better.
Our PPSU grades withstand 170 °C in continuous operation and 210 °C for short periods, and go down to -50 °C.
Grades and variants
PPSU is available in a pure grade and in filled versions, plus a print adapted variant. The grades differ in stiffness, heat resistance and dimensional stability.
Base grades
- PPSU pure grade, first choice for sterilizable and impact resistant parts.
- Filament grade, a print adapted variant for 3D printing, supplied in natural.
Additives and reinforcements
- GF, glass fiber filled grades for higher stiffness, heat resistance and dimensional stability.
If your part needs transparency but not the highest impact strength, PSU can be an economical alternative. We will help you compare the two.
Machining
PPSU is sawn, milled, drilled and turned. Just like PSU it is sensitive to certain solvents and greasy media that cause stress cracking, so keep an eye on the cutting fluid.
Formats we can supply
PPSU is available from us as sheets and round rods, as well as filament for 3D printing. Formats and dimensions you see in the range. Would you like a piece cut to size? Enter the dimensions in VisualCutter and you will see the price straight away.