Sulfone Polymers for Membranes

Solvay’s sulfone polymers have been used to make membranes for over 25 years. These high-temperature thermoplastics impart high fiber strength, toughness, rigidity and hydrolytic stability. This, combined with their excellent chemical resistance, enables membranes to tolerate a variety of feed streams and cleaning methods.

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OverviewPropertiesAgency ApprovalsUdel® PSUVeradel® PESURadel® PPSU

Proven Membrane Performance

Sulfone polymers are soluble in conventional processing solvents and are used to make hollow fiber, flat sheet and tubular membranes. A range of molecular weights with controlled viscosities makes it easier to fine-tune dope solutions and maximize process stability. High molecular weight grades improve fiber strength and minimize fiber breakage. Low cyclic dimer grades improve the stability of dope solutions, reduce filter clogging and minimize manufacturing defects.

Key Features	Key Benefits
Excellent mechanical properties Outstanding hydrolytic stability Stable at pH levels from 2 to 13 Easy to form MF and UF membranes Soluble in conventional processing solvents Low level of insolubles and extractibles Excellent biocompatibility Sterilizeable by steam, ethylene oxide and gamma radiation Global agency approvals	Excellent mechanical properties Outstanding hydrolytic stability Stable at pH levels from 2 to 13 Excellent biocompatibility Easy to form MF and UF membranes Low level of insolubles and extractibles Sterilizable by steam, ethylene oxide and gamma radiation Global agency approvals

SULFONE POLYMERS FOR MEMBRANES
	Pellet	Powder
Udel^® polysulfone
	P-1700 LCD	P-1800
	P-3500 LCD	P-1835
	P-3500 LCD MB Series
Veradel^® polyethersulfone
		3000P
		3100P
		3200P
Radel^® polyphenylsulfone
	R-5000
	R-5500

Other grades are available upon request.

Sulfone Polymers Properties

Excellent chemical resistance combined with hydrolytic stability, high strength and the ability to operate over a broad pH range makes these polymers the right choice for membranes used in demanding end-use environments.

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Physical Properties

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
Property	Test Method	Units	Udel P-1700 LCD, P-1800	Udel P-3500 LCD, P-1835	Veradel 3000P, 3100P, 3200P	Radel R-5000, R-5500
Form			pellet, powder	pellet, powder	powder	pellet
Density	ASTM D 792	g/cm³	1.24	1.24	1.37	1.29
Molecular Weight, Mw	GPC	g/mol (x10³)	67-72	75-81	62-64, 52-55, 45-47	52-55, 55-59
Polydispersity	GPC		3.5	3.6	3.2-3.9	2.6
Solution Viscosity 25% in DMAC 40°C, 30 s^-1		cp	1,000- 1,800	1,800- 3,000	1,225-1,650, 700-900, 420-550	~2,200
Melt Flow Index	ASTM D 1238	g/10 min	5.0-9.0⁽¹⁾	2.0-4.9⁽¹⁾		14-20, 12-17⁽²⁾
Water Absorption 24 hours, 23°C	ASTM D 570	%	0.3	0.3	0.6	0.37

⁽¹⁾ Melt flow condition 343°C, 2.16 kg
⁽²⁾ Melt flow condition 365°C, 5.0 kg

Mechanical Properties

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
Property	Test Method	Units	Udel P-1700 LCD, P-1800	Udel P-3500 LCD, P-1835	Veradel 3000P, 3100P, 3200P	Radel R-5000, R-5500
Tensile Strength at Yield	ASTM D 638	psi MPa	10,200 70	10,200 70	12,900 90	10,100 70
Tensile Modulus	ASTM D 638	kpsi MPa	360 2,480	360 2,480	400 2,800	340 2,300
Tensile Elongation at Yield	ASTM D 638	%	5.7	5.7	6.5	7.2
Tensile Elongation at Break	ASTM D 638	%	50-100	50-100	30-60	60-120
Flexural Strength	ASTM D 790	psi MPa	15,400 106	15,400 106	17,500 121	15,200 105
Flexural Modulus	ASTM D 790	kpsi MPa	390 2,690	390 2,690	400 2,800	350 2,400

Thermal Properties

THERMAL PROPERTIES
Property	Test Method	Units	Udel P-1700 LCD, P-1800	Udel P-3500 LCD, P-1835	Veradel 3000P, 3100P, 3200P	Radel R-5000, R-5500
Glass Transition Temperature	ASTM D 3418	°C	190	190	220	220
Heat Deflection Temperature 264 psi (1.8 MPa)	ASTM D 648	°C	174	174	204	207

Chemical Resistance

CHEMICAL RESISTANCE*
Property	Udel P-1700 LCD, P-1800	Udel P-3500 LCD, P-1835	Veradel 3000P, 3100P, 3200P	Radel R-5000, R-5500
Hydrolytic Stability	+	+	+	+
Acids	+	+	+	+
Alkali	+	+	+	+
Aliphatic Hydrocarbons	0	0	+	+
Aromatic Hydrocarbons	–	–	0	0
Aliphatic Alcohols	0	0	+	+
Chlorinated Hydrocarbons	–	–	–	0
Dipolar Aprotic Solvents	–	–	–	–
Chlorine	+	+	+	+
Ozone	+	+	+	+
Sterilization by Gamma Rays	+	+	+	+
Sterilization by Steam	+	+	+	+

KEY

+ Polymer is resistant. Any increase in weight is less than 2% and any decrease in weight is less than 0.3%. The tensile yield strength is at least 85% of the initial value.
0 Use of polymer is limited. Response does not meet above criteria. For example, weight inrease may be more than 2%. However, the polymer can be used if stress is low.
>– Polymer is not resistant. There is considerable alteration of the polymer, such as dissolution or chemical or physical degradation.

* Internal test method. Ratings give a general indication.

CHEMICAL RESISTANCE*
Reagent	Udel polysulfone	Veradel polyethersulfone	Radel polyphenylsulfone
n-Butane	E	E	E
Benzene	SA	SA	F
Toluene	SA	SA	F
Ethanol	G	G	E
Methyl Ethyl Ketone	SA	SA	E
1,1,1-Trichloroethane	SA	SA	F
Carbon Tetrachloride	G	G	G
Hydrochloric Acid, 20%	E	E	E
Sodium Hydroxide, 10%	E	E	E

KEY

E Excellent. No change.
G Good. Minor attack. No serious loss of properites.
F Fair. Some attack. Some useful properties remain.
SA Severe attack or rupture.

* Internal test method. Ratings give a general indication.

Solvents

SOLVENTS*
Udel polysulfone	Veradel polyethersulfone	Radel polyphenylsulfone
NMP	NMP	NMP
DMF	DMF	DMF
DMAC	DMAC	DMAC
Pyrridine	Pyrridine	Pyrridine
2-Pyrrolidone
Chloroform
Methylene Chloride
Tetrahydrofuran