PPSU Rod — Diameters, Lengths & Tolerances
PPSU rod is round bar stock produced from polyphenylsulfone (PPSU), a high-performance amorphous thermoplastic offering superior impact resistance, hydrolytic stability, and broad thermal capability. PPSU maintains mechanical strength and dimensional integrity through repeated exposure to hot water, steam, and aggressive sterilization cycles, making it the preferred material for medical instrument components, plumbing hardware, and industrial parts that must withstand harsh service environments.
At a glance:
- Diameter range: standard rod sizes available for machining
- Standard lengths: standard cut lengths available
- OD tolerance: close commercial tolerances
- Material: Polyphenylsulfone (PPSU)
- Color: Amber/translucent (natural)
- Higher toughness and impact resistance than PSU and PEI
Standard Diameter Table
PPSU rod is stocked in common diameters to support turning and milling of precision components:
| Diameter | Standard Lengths | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1/4" (0.250") | 2 ft, 4 ft | Small components, fittings |
| 1/2" (0.500") | 2 ft, 4 ft | Bushings, valve components |
| 3/4" (0.750") | 2 ft, 4 ft | Surgical instrument parts |
| 1" (1.000") | 2 ft, 4 ft | Medical housings, connectors |
| 1.5" (1.500") | 2 ft, 4 ft | Larger machined components |
| 2" (2.000") | 2 ft, 4 ft | Fluid-handling parts |
| 3" (3.000") | 2 ft | Heavy-section applications |
Contact Ready Plastics to confirm current diameter availability.
Properties
PPSU provides higher toughness and impact resistance than polysulfone (PSU) while maintaining excellent thermal and hydrolytic stability:
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Superior impact resistance | Outstanding — higher than PSU and PEI |
| Hydrolytic stability | Excellent — withstands steam and repeated sterilization |
| Thermal performance | Reliable over wide temperature range |
| Dimensional stability | Excellent under mechanical and thermal load |
| Chemical resistance | Good in most industrial and medical environments |
PPSU brief does not include specific numeric property values at this time. Consult the Ready Plastics PPSU datasheet or contact our technical team for grade-specific property tables.
Typical Applications
PPSU rod is machined into components for medical, plumbing, food processing, and industrial applications:
- Medical instrument and surgical tool components — autoclave compatibility and hydrolytic stability for sterilization cycles
- Plumbing fittings and valve bodies — hydrolytic stability and impact resistance in hot-water systems
- Food processing and beverage equipment — chemical resistance and cleanability in hygienic environments
- Aerospace cabin and interior components — toughness and flame performance for aerospace environments
- High-pressure fluid-handling parts — dimensional stability under sustained pressure and temperature
- Industrial pump and valve internals — combination of toughness and thermal reliability
Machining PPSU Rod
PPSU rod machines well with standard carbide tooling. It behaves similarly to other amorphous engineering thermoplastics — producing consistent chips at moderate feeds and speeds. Avoid excessive heat buildup, which can cause surface discoloration without affecting bulk properties. PPSU can be drilled, turned, milled, and threaded with conventional equipment. Hold tolerances comparable to other high-performance thermoplastics; allow parts to stabilize at ambient temperature before final measurement.