Details
Material hierarchy: Polymer - Engineering Thermoplastic - Sulfone Polymer
Polyethersulfone is abbreviated PES. This transparent, amorphous polymer is one of the highest-temperature engineering thermoplastics, carrying a UL rating for continuous service of 356°F. The polymer is self-extinguishing and, when burned, emits little smoke.
PES is rigid, tough, and dimensionally stable over a wide temperature range. It is resistant to most solvents, including gasoline and aliphatic hydrocarbons; however, polar, aromatic hydrocarbons will attack the resin, as will methylene chloride, ketones, and esters.
PES can be processed on conventional injection molding, blow molding, extrusion, and thermoforming equipment. Mold shrinkage is low.
The low flammability and low smoke generation of PES make it a good candidate to meet FAA regulations for aircraft interior parts. Transparent grades of PES are used in medical and food processing applications and in electrical components such as illuminated switches. Both neat and reinforced grades are used in appliances and power tools, pumps, sockets and connectors, and printed circuit boards.