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Sulfone polymers are high-heat plastics with a clear advantage. These amorphous thermoplastics offer more toughness, strength and hydrolytic stability than other transparent plastics. They withstand prolonged exposure to water, chemicals and temperatures – handling a broad range of end-use temperatures from -40°C to 204°C (-40°F to 400°F). |
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OverviewHeatHydrolytic StabilityToughnessChemical ResistanceSterilizationTransparency & ColorFlame Retardancy
Sulfone Polymers Product Family
Udel® polysulfone (PSU) – Rigid, high-strength, semi-tough, transparent plastic that offers higher heat resistance and better hydrolytic stability than polycarbonate (PC). It retains its good mechanical properties when exposed to steam and other sterilization techniques.
Radel® polyphenylsulfone (PPSU) – Delivers the highest performance of our sulfone polymers, offering better impact resistance and chemical resistance than polysulfone (PSU) and polyetherimide (PEI).
Acudel® modified polyphenylsulfone (PPSU) – A family of proprietary formulations that fill the cost-performance gap between PPSU and polysulfone (PSU).
Veradel® polyethersulfone (PESU) – Combines good chemical resistance with a high heat deflection temperature of 204°C (399°F), making it a good fit for baby bottles and other food service applications. This resin is also inherently flame retardant for use in electronic components and testing devices
Virantage® high-temperature tougheners for advanced composites – Comprehensive range of specialty polymers, oligomers and monomers in a variety of molecular weights and particle sizes. Product forms include powders, fibers and foams.
Good-Better-Best Performance Capabilities
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Aircraft Interiors |
Coatings |
Composites |
Electrical/Electronic |
Fittings & Manifolds |
Faucet Components |
Food Service |
Fuel Systems |
Membranes |
Medical & Dental Devices |
Orthopedics |
Sterilization Cases & Trays |
| good performance |
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Udel® PSU |
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✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
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✓ |
✓ |
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| HDT of 174°C (345°F), Good practical toughness, Good chemical resistance . |
| better performance |
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Veradel® PESU |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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| HDT of 204°C (399°F), Better chemical resistance than PSU, Inherently flame retardant. |
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Acudel®
modified PPSU |
✓ |
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✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
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| HDT of 197°C (387°F), Better impact strength than PSU , Excellent long-term hydrolytic stability. |
| best performance |
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Radel® PPSU |
✓ |
✓ |
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✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
| HDT of 207°C (405°F), Superior toughness and impact strength, Best chemical resistance , R-7000 Series for aircraft interiors. |
| specialty performance |
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Virantage® PESU |
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✓ |
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| High-temperature tougheners, Improves damage tolerance, Reactive end groups available. |
High Heat Resistance
Sulfone polymers are noted for high heat deflection temperatures (HDT) and outstanding dimensional stability. These strong, rigid polymers are the only thermoplastics that remain transparent at service temperatures as high as 204°C (400°F). Even after long-term exposure, the resins do not discolor or degrade.
Hydrolytic Stability
The hydrolytic stability of sulfone polymers makes them highly resistant to water absorption. This combines with heat resistance to deliver reliable long-term performance in hot water and steam, even under autoclave pressures. Unlike other transparent polymers, sulfone polymers are not prone to clouding or crazing. Retention of Tensile Strength in 96°C WaterRetention of Tensile Strength in 132°C Water for 30 Minutes
Toughness and Impact Strength
Sulfone polymers are extremely tough and do not break in standard unnotched impact tests. They retain their toughness and strength over time, unlike polyetherimide (PEI) which exhibits a significant loss of impact strength and becomes brittle.
Retention of Tensile StrengthRetention of Impact StrengthFalling Dart Impact TestThe impact strength of test plaques heat aged at 190°C (375°F) for 170 hours was evaluated using a Gardner falling dart impact tester. Radel® PPSU absorbs significantly higher impact force than polyetherimide (PEI) without cracking or breaking.
Chemical Resistance
Sulfone polymers have good chemical resistance to many materials, including the following:
- Aqueous systems
- Caustics
- Inorganic acids
- Aliphatic hydrocarbons
- Detergents and soaps
- Certain alcohols
| General Indication of Chemical Resistance |
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Udel®
PSU |
Radel®
PPSU |
PC |
| General Chemicals |
| Alcohols |
Good |
Excellent |
Good |
| Acids, Concentrated |
Good |
Excellent |
Fair |
| Acids, Diluted |
Excellent |
Excellent |
Good |
| Bases, Concentrated |
Excellent |
Excellent |
Poor |
| Baes, Diluted |
Excellent |
Excellent |
Poor |
| Esters |
Poor |
Fair |
Poor |
| Hydrocarbons, Aliphatic |
Excellent |
Excellent |
Poor |
| Hydrocarbons, Aromatic |
Poor |
Fair |
Poor |
| Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated |
Poor |
Fair |
Poor |
| Ketones |
Poor |
Poor |
Poor |
| Hospital Disinfectants |
| Bleach Solutions, 10% |
Excellent |
Excellent |
Good |
| Cavicide® |
Excellent |
Excellent |
Good |
| Envirocide® |
Excellent |
Excellent |
Good |
| Cidex® |
Excellent |
Excellent |
Excellent |
| Hydrogen Peroxide, 3% |
Excellent |
Excellent |
Good |
| Isopropyl Alcohol, 70% |
Good |
Excellent |
Good |
| Manu-Klenz® |
Excellent |
Excellent |
Excellent |
| Phenols, 2% |
Poor |
Excellent |
Good |
| Quaternaries |
Good |
Excellent |
Excellent |
| Sani-Cloth® HB |
Excellent |
Excellent |
Poor |
| Sani-Cloth® Plus |
Poor |
Excellent |
Poor |
| Sporotal® 100 |
Good |
Excellent |
Excellent |
| Wex-Cide® |
Poor |
Excellent |
Good |
Sterilization
Udel® PSU and Radel® PPSU are compatible with a full range of commercial sterilization technologies. Because of its high heat resistance and excellent hydrolytic stability, Radel PPSU can be steam sterilized over 1,000 cycles without any significant loss of properties.
| COMPATIBILITY WITH sterilization methods |
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Udel®
PSU |
Radel®
PPSU |
PC |
Steam
18 Minutes at 134°C |
10 cycles |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
| 500 cycles |
✓ |
✓ |
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| 1,000 cycles |
|
✓ |
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| Ethylene Oxide Gas |
100 cycles |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
Vaporized Hydrogen
Peroxide |
25 cycles |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
| High-Energy Gamma Radiation |
40 kGy |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
More about Solvay Plastics for Healthcare
Transparency and Color
 The Solvay family of Sulfone polymers offer transparent, opaque and glass-fiber reinforced grades in natural and colored resins.
 Sulfone polymers are the only thermoplastics that remain transparent at temperatures as high as 204°C (400°F). Even after long-term exposure to elevated temperatures, the materials do not discolor or degrade.
The resin’s natural color is transparent light amber. Low-color grades of Udel PSU with a near water-white appearance are available. Solvay uses its proprietary low-color technology to create vibrant transparent colors that give OEMs a clear advantage over metal without compromising performance.
Radel® Colors for Healthcare
Flame Retardancy
Veradel® PESU and Radel® PPSU are inherently flame retardant. Radel R-7000 Series products are specially formulated for us in aircraft interiors and are in compliance with stringent FAA regulations requiring low heat release, low smoke generation and low toxic gas emissions.
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