CEH Report
Table of Contents
Abstract
Sulfone polymers are engineering thermoplastics that have –SO2– or sulfone moiety linkages. Three members of the sulfone polymer family are commercially available; they are commonly termed polysulfone (PSO), polyethersulfone (PES) and polyphenylsulfone (PPSO). Polysulfones are the most commonly used. Among high performance thermoplastics, which all share the common characteristic of high heat distortion temperature, sulfone polymers stand out for their hydrolytic stability, highly desirable transparency and FDA approval for food contact, making them an ideal choice for medical and food applications where the products must withstand repeated steam sterilization. In addition, sulfone polymers exhibit excellent electrical properties, inherent flame retardancy and radiation resistance, making them well-suited to many electrical and electronic applications such as connectors, printed circuit boards, terminal blocks and aircraft radomes. Sulfone polymers are also known for their toughness, long-term creep resistance and low mold shrinkage, making them highly desirable for other industrial applications requiring close tolerances and good dimensional stability.
Sulfone polymer growth drivers include the medical and food/consumer industries. Customer demand for high-quality and safe products will increase growth. The global economic downturn in late 2008 has decreased sulfone polymer use in such areas as electrical/electronics and transportation applications. However, sulfone polymer use in the electrical/electronics market will continue to grow in such areas as chip trays and battery cases and seals.
The following pie chart shows world consumption of sulfone polymers:
Sulfone polymers will continue to compete with glass, polycarbonate and stainless steel in food, medical and industrial applications. However, they will also face heavy competition from other high performance thermoplastics (polyamides, polyetherimide and LCPs) in electrical/electronic and automotive markets, as well as in new and developing applications.