PPS – polyphenylene sulfide
High-performance plastic with dimensional stability and chemical resistance up to 220 °C
PPS sits between engineering plastics and PEEK: it works up to about 220 °C, absorbs almost no water, has excellent dimensional stability and resists practically all solvents below 200 °C. It is stiffer and more brittle than PEEK and costs less.
Designations and equivalents
| System | Designation |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation (ISO 1043) | PPS |
| Trade names | TECATRON natural (Ensinger); Techtron 1000 PPS (MCAM) |
Standards by product form
| Form | Standard |
|---|---|
| Rod, sheet and tube | Stock-shape manufacturer's specification |
| Food contact | FDA/EU compliant grades available; confirm for the lot |
| Machined part to drawing | ISO 2768 tolerance or as per drawing |
Composition and filler
Nominal composition
| Component | Content |
|---|---|
| PPS | 100% (natural) |
| Filled grades | glass fiber (GF40) or sliding filler |
Mechanical properties
Typical values from the stock-shape manufacturer's catalog, 23 °C; ISO/ASTM methods as per the source
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 102 MPa |
| Modulus of elasticity (tensile) | 4,000 MPa |
| Elongation at break | 12% |
| Compressive strength | 122 MPa |
| Hardness | Rockwell M 100 |
| Notched impact | 2 kJ/m² |
Typical physical and thermal properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 1.35 g/cm³ |
| Maximum continuous service temperature | 220 °C |
| Maximum short-term temperature | 260 °C |
| Minimum service temperature | -30 °C |
| HDT (1.8 MPa) | 115 °C |
| Melting point or glass transition | 280 °C |
| Linear thermal expansion | 80 µm/m·K |
| Thermal conductivity | 0.3 W/m·K |
| Water absorption (24 h) | 0.01 / 0.02% |
| Water absorption (saturation) | 0.1% |
| Dielectric strength | 18 kV/mm |
| Flammability (UL 94) | V-0 |
Calculate the weight of PPS – polyphenylene sulfide bar, plate or pipe →
Friction, wear and PV limit
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Dynamic coefficient of friction against steel | 0.24 (dynamic, ASTM D3702, 40 psi (0.28 MPa), 50 ft/min (0.25 m/s)) |
PV and friction depend on the test method, the mating surface (steel, stainless, roughness), lubrication and each manufacturer's safety factor: compare values from the same source and confirm by testing in critical applications.
Chemical resistance
| Medium | Resistance |
|---|---|
| Acids | Very good (except strong oxidizers) |
| Bases (alkalis) | Very good |
| Solvents | Excellent (no known solvent below ~200 °C) |
| Hydrocarbons and oils | Excellent |
| Steam and hot water | Very good |
Compare PPS – polyphenylene sulfide with the other plastics by application, temperature and medium →
Stock forms and sizes
- Rod (round bar)
- Sheet (plate)
- Tube and bushing
- Raw material: rod (round bar), sheet (plate) and tube, cut to size
- Machined part to drawing or sample, in the same order as the metal parts
- Lot certificate of conformity; FDA/EU 10/2011 declaration when the grade allows
Service temperature, machining and assembly
| Item | Usual practice |
|---|---|
| Service temperature | Continuous service up to 220 °C, short peaks up to 260 °C; minimum -30 °C (unloaded; under load, limited by HDT and creep). |
| Annealing (stress relief) | Stress-relief annealing before precision machining. |
| Bonding and welding | Bonding with epoxy after preparation. |
| Machining | Machines with carbide tooling; the material is brittle, so avoid sharp notches. |
Typical applications
- Chemical pump and valve parts
- Semiconductor equipment components
- High-temperature electrical insulators
- Precision parts that require dimensional stability
Alternatives: PEEK when there is impact or higher temperature; PVDF for chemical service up to 140 °C.
Frequently asked questions
Which standards cover PPS?
Rod, sheet and tube: Stock-shape manufacturer's specification. Food contact: FDA/EU compliant grades available; confirm for the lot. Machined part to drawing: ISO 2768 tolerance or as per drawing.
Up to what temperature can PPS be used?
Continuous service up to 220 °C, short peaks up to 260 °C; minimum -30 °C (unloaded; under load, limited by HDT and creep).
Which materials can replace PPS?
PEEK when there is impact or higher temperature; PVDF for chemical service up to 140 °C.
PPS or PEEK?
PPS is cheaper, stiffer and more stable in water; PEEK is tougher and handles higher temperature and dynamic load.
