Overview
PSU (Polysulfone) is a high-performance amorphous thermoplastic known for its exceptional high-temperature resistance, hydrolysis resistance, dimensional stability, transparency, and mechanical strength.
PSU maintains excellent mechanical properties over a broad temperature range and can withstand repeated steam sterilization without significant degradation. These characteristics make it a preferred material for medical devices, food processing equipment, aerospace components, and industrial fluid-handling systems.
PSU is widely used in:
- Medical Devices
- Sterilization Equipment
- Aerospace Components
- Water Filtration Systems
- Food Processing Equipment
- Electrical Insulators
- Laboratory Equipment
- Industrial Fluid Systems
Due to its unique combination of thermal stability, transparency, and sterilization resistance, PSU is one of the most trusted engineering plastics for demanding environments.
Material Specification
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Material Designation | PSU |
| Full Name | Polysulfone |
| Material Family | High-Performance Thermoplastic |
| Density | 1.24–1.29 g/cm³ |
| Appearance | Transparent Amber |
| Transparency | High |
| Typical Manufacturing Methods | Injection Molding, Extrusion, CNC Machining |
| Standard Forms | Sheet, Rod, Tube, Pellets |
Chemical Composition
PSU belongs to the polysulfone family and consists of aromatic polymer chains linked by sulfone groups.
| Component | Function |
|---|---|
| Polysulfone Polymer | Structural Matrix |
| Thermal Stabilizers | Heat Resistance |
| Processing Additives | Manufacturing Stability |
| Colorants (Optional) | Appearance Control |
The aromatic backbone provides excellent thermal and hydrolytic stability.
Common PSU Grades
| Grade | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Virgin PSU | General Engineering Applications |
| Medical Grade PSU | Biocompatible |
| Food Grade PSU | FDA-Compliant |
| Glass-Filled PSU | Enhanced Stiffness |
| High-Flow PSU | Improved Moldability |
Mechanical Properties
Typical Values
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 65–80 MPa |
| Yield Strength | 70–80 MPa |
| Elongation at Break | 30–100% |
| Flexural Strength | 90–120 MPa |
| Flexural Modulus | 2.3–2.8 GPa |
| Hardness | Rockwell M95–105 |
| Compressive Strength | 90–120 MPa |
Typical Mechanical Performance
| Property | Performance |
|---|---|
| Strength | Excellent |
| Stiffness | Excellent |
| Toughness | Good |
| Creep Resistance | Excellent |
PSU retains mechanical properties exceptionally well at elevated temperatures.
Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 1.24–1.29 g/cm³ |
| Water Absorption | 0.3–0.7% |
| Thermal Conductivity | 0.25–0.35 W/m·K |
| Specific Heat Capacity | 1200 J/kg·K |
| Refractive Index | 1.63 |
PSU combines high transparency with excellent dimensional stability.
Thermal Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Glass Transition Temperature | 185–190°C |
| Heat Deflection Temperature | 170–180°C |
| Continuous Service Temperature | Up to 160°C |
| Short-Term Service Temperature | Up to 180°C |
PSU significantly outperforms many engineering plastics in high-temperature applications.
Strength-to-Weight Ratio
| Material | Density (g/cm³) | Tensile Strength |
|---|---|---|
| PSU | 1.26 | 75 MPa |
| Polycarbonate | 1.20 | 65 MPa |
| PEEK | 1.31 | 100 MPa |
| Stainless Steel 304 | 8.00 | 515 MPa |
PSU provides excellent structural performance while remaining lightweight.
Chemical Resistance
| Chemical Environment | Performance |
|---|---|
| Water | Excellent |
| Steam | Outstanding |
| Dilute Acids | Excellent |
| Dilute Alkalis | Good |
| Alcohols | Excellent |
| Detergents | Excellent |
| Oils & Greases | Good |
| Strong Organic Solvents | Moderate |
PSU is particularly resistant to hot water, steam, and cleaning chemicals.
Hydrolysis Resistance
| Property | Performance |
|---|---|
| Steam Resistance | Outstanding |
| Boiling Water Resistance | Outstanding |
| Sterilization Durability | Outstanding |
| Hydrolysis Stability | Outstanding |
PSU can withstand thousands of steam sterilization cycles.
Transparency & Optical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Transparency | Excellent |
| Light Transmission | 85–90% |
| Optical Clarity | Good |
| Amber Tint | Natural |
PSU offers transparency while maintaining superior heat resistance compared with many clear plastics.
Electrical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Volume Resistivity | >10¹⁶ Ω·cm |
| Surface Resistivity | >10¹⁴ Ω |
| Dielectric Strength | 15–20 kV/mm |
| Dielectric Constant | 3.0–3.3 |
PSU is widely used in electrical and electronic insulation applications.
Sterilization Resistance
| Sterilization Method | Performance |
|---|---|
| Steam Autoclave | Outstanding |
| Ethylene Oxide (EtO) | Excellent |
| Gamma Radiation | Good |
| Chemical Sterilization | Excellent |
PSU is one of the most widely used sterilizable engineering plastics.
Machinability
| Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| CNC Milling | Excellent |
| CNC Turning | Excellent |
| Drilling | Excellent |
| Tapping | Excellent |
| Precision Machining | Excellent |
Machinability Comparison
| Material | Machinability |
|---|---|
| PSU | Excellent |
| PEEK | Excellent |
| PC | Good |
| POM | Outstanding |
PSU machines well while maintaining dimensional accuracy.
Manufacturing Characteristics
| Manufacturing Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| Injection Molding | Excellent |
| Extrusion | Excellent |
| CNC Machining | Excellent |
| Thermoforming | Good |
| Precision Manufacturing | Excellent |
PSU requires elevated processing temperatures but offers excellent finished-part quality.
International Equivalent Grades
| Standard | Equivalent Grade |
|---|---|
| ISO | PSU |
| ASTM | Polysulfone |
| DIN | PSU |
| JIS | PSU |
| GB/T (China) | 聚砜（PSU） |
| FDA | Food Grade Available |
| USP Class VI | Medical Grade Available |
Available Forms
| Product Type | Availability |
|---|---|
| Sheet | Yes |
| Rod | Yes |
| Tube | Yes |
| Film | Limited |
| Pellets | Yes |
| Machined Components | Yes |
Typical Applications
Medical Industry
- Surgical Instrument Handles
- Sterilization Trays
- Medical Device Components
- Dialysis Equipment
Water Treatment Industry
- Filtration Housings
- Membrane Components
- Fluid Handling Systems
- Purification Equipment
Food Processing Industry
- Beverage Equipment
- Processing Components
- Sterilizable Parts
- Food Contact Components
Aerospace Industry
- Interior Components
- Electrical Connectors
- High-Temperature Insulators
Laboratory Equipment
- Analytical Instruments
- Sterilizable Containers
- Fluid Handling Components
Electrical Industry
- Insulators
- Switch Components
- Connector Housings
- Electrical Supports
Manufacturing Characteristics
| Manufacturing Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| CNC Machining | Excellent |
| Injection Molding | Excellent |
| Extrusion | Excellent |
| High-Temperature Processing | Outstanding |
Advantages
Outstanding Hydrolysis Resistance
Excellent resistance to hot water and steam.
Exceptional Sterilization Durability
Withstands repeated autoclave cycles.
High Temperature Resistance
Continuous operation up to 160°C.
Excellent Dimensional Stability
Maintains precision under thermal stress.
Good Transparency
Allows visual inspection in fluid and medical applications.
Excellent Electrical Insulation
Suitable for demanding electrical systems.
Limitations
Higher Cost
More expensive than commodity plastics and polycarbonate.
Natural Amber Color
Not optically clear like acrylic or polycarbonate.
Moderate Solvent Resistance
Certain solvents can cause stress cracking.
Lower Wear Resistance Than PEEK
Not ideal for severe tribological applications.
Comparison with High-Performance Plastics
| Property | PSU | PEEK | PC | PPSU |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature Resistance | Excellent | Outstanding | Good | Outstanding |
| Transparency | Good | Opaque | Excellent | Good |
| Hydrolysis Resistance | Outstanding | Excellent | Moderate | Outstanding |
| Sterilization Resistance | Outstanding | Excellent | Moderate | Outstanding |
| Cost | High | Very High | Moderate | Higher |
Comparison with Polycarbonate (PC)
| Property | PSU | PC |
|---|---|---|
| Heat Resistance | Much Higher | |
| Steam Sterilization | Outstanding | |
| Chemical Resistance | Better | |
| Optical Clarity | Lower | |
| Impact Resistance | Similar |
Available Surface Finishes
Standard Finishes
- Natural Amber Finish
- Machined Finish
- Molded Finish
Functional Finishes
- Polished Surface
- Medical Grade Finish
- Precision Machined Finish
Specialty Grades
- Medical Grade PSU
- Food Grade PSU
- Glass-Filled PSU
- High-Flow PSU
- USP Class VI PSU
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is PSU?
PSU (Polysulfone) is a high-performance thermoplastic known for heat resistance, hydrolysis resistance, transparency, and sterilization durability.
What is PSU used for?
Typical applications include:
- Medical Devices
- Water Filtration Systems
- Laboratory Equipment
- Food Processing Equipment
- Electrical Components
Is PSU autoclavable?
Yes. PSU can withstand repeated steam sterilization cycles without significant degradation.
Is PSU transparent?
Yes. PSU is naturally transparent with a characteristic amber tint.
Can PSU be machined?
Yes. PSU offers excellent CNC machining performance and dimensional stability.
Why choose PSU?
Because it combines:
- High Temperature Resistance
- Outstanding Hydrolysis Resistance
- Sterilization Compatibility
- Dimensional Stability
- Good Transparency
What is the difference between PSU and PPSU?
PPSU provides higher toughness, better chemical resistance, and improved sterilization durability, while PSU offers lower cost and excellent overall performance.
Does GCNOV provide PSU manufacturing services?
Yes. GCNOV provides:
- PSU CNC Machining
- Injection Molding
- Medical Device Component Manufacturing
- Water Treatment Equipment Parts
- Prototype Development
- Low-Volume Production
- Mass Production
- Custom High-Performance Plastic Components