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With PEI in short supply, processors and OEM’s alike are quickly looking for material alternatives. PEI has some unique characteristics such as very high strength, inherent flame retardant performance, and great chemical resistance. Manufacturers must carefully consider what properties or material attributes are required for their application. Our team has successfully helped customers replace PEI and Polysulfone family polymers with both semi-crystalline and amorphous high heat polymers alternatives. The Guide below offers common alternatives to PEI within our portfolio.
PEI and Polysulfone Replacement Solutions Guide
ULTEM* PEI XAREC* SPS PARYLS* PSU PARYLS* PES PARYLS* PPSU Polymer: Polyetherimide Syndiotactic Polystyrene Polysulfone Polyethersulfone Polyphenylenesulfone
Description & Strength:
High Strength, High Heat, Chemically Resistant,
Inherently flame retardant Amorphous Polymer
High Heat, Chemically Resistant Semi crystalline Polymer. Outstanding property retention in humid environments.
Excellent Electrical Properties.
Transparent High Heat Amorphous Polymer with good property retention when exposed to steam.
Transparent High Heat Amorphous, Good
Chemical Resistance that is inherently flame
retardant, Excellent Electrical Properties
Greatest Impact and Chemical Resistance Polysulfone that is inherently flame
retardant
Key Disadvantage: One Resin manufacturer in
world Relative to PEI, Creep
Resistance Poor Notched Impact Poor Notched Impact Expensive
Tensile Strength: Elongation @ Break:
Flexural Strength: *Glass Reinforced Only Notched Impact:
HDT: 210C 260C + 174C 204C 207C UL94: Inherent V0 V0 Product Options V1 rated Inherent V0 Inherent V0 UL RTI: 170/170/170C 125C/120C/120C 160/140/160C 180C/180C/180C 160C/160C/160C
Autoclave: 750+ 1000+ ISO10993: Yes 1-2 Grades Pending Pending Yes
Shrink Rate: .005 - .007 in/in .003-.005 in/in .005 - .007 in/in .005 - .007 in/in .005 - .007 in/in Optical Properties: Transparent Opaque Transparent Transparent Transparent
Approximate Cost/Lb: $6-20 $4-6 $10 $10-20 $10-25
Common Applications Consumer Electronics,
Aerospace, Automotive Lighting
Automotive Electrical Connectors, Junction Boxes,
Cookware, Athroscopy Adapter
Faucet Components, Hot Water Fittings, Plumbing
Manifolds, Medical Devices, Membranes, Enclosures for Animal
Testing
Lighting Components, Electrical Components, Baby Bottles, Coatings,
Cookware, Food Service, and Filtration Membranes
Sterilization Cases & Trays, Surgical Instruments, Medical Devices, Aircraft Components, Hot Water
Fittings, Food Trays
www.conventuspolymers.com [email protected]
Baby Bottle Incumbent Resin: PPSU Incumbent Resin Price: $15/lb Customer Concern: Resin Allocation & Single Source Critical to Quality:
Steam sterilization High Impact Alternative PPSU Source No BPA FDA Approved
Conventus Polymers Solution: FDA compliant Paryls* PPSU offered customer the added benefits of a clearer PPSU (lower Yi) and fewer black specs.
Light Socket Incumbent Resin: PEI Incumbent Resin Price: $10/lb Customer Concern: Resin Allocation & Single Source Critical to Quality:
Low Out Gassing High Heat Deflection Temperature Dimensional Stability
Conventus Polymers Solution: Xarec* WA212 SPS offered 500F of HDT and offered the customer a secondary source at a lower cost of $4.00/lb
Fluid Engineering Component Incumbent Resin: PSU Incumbent Resin Price: $9/lb Customer Concern: Resin Allocation & Single Source Critical to Quality:
High Burst Pressure Strength Resistance to Chlorine NSF 61 Compliant Mechanical Property Retention at Elevated Temperatures
Conventus Polymers Solution: Xarec* WA210 SPS offered superior performance against Chlorine and better hot water property retention. Material cost was $4.00/lb.
Examples of Successful Material Alternatives
Arthroscopy Adapter Incumbent Resin: PPSU Incumbent Resin Price: $18/lb Customer Concern: Resin Allocation & Single Source Critical to Quality:
Steam sterilization (50+ Cycles @ 134C) Excellent EtO/Gamma Sterilization ISO10993/USPVI High Strength
Conventus Polymers Solution: Xarec* WA552 SPS addressed customer requirements and improved processing. Pre-colored cost was $6.50/lb and a stocking program was established for JIT.