Material · Engineering Plastics
PPSU (Radel)
The sterilization survivor: tough where PEI is brittle, repeatable through thousands of steam cycles.
Price index: $$$$
Machinability
3/5
Corrosion resistance
4/5
Strength
70 MPa
Value for money
$$$$
Material properties
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 70 MPa |
| Yield strength | ~70 MPa |
| Hardness | ~R120 (Rockwell) |
| Density | 1.29 g/cm³ |
Choose it when
The part lives in the autoclave: PPSU endures thousands of 134 °C steam cycles without crazing and keeps the impact toughness PEI loses — the default for reusable instrument housings.
Look elsewhere when
Maximum stiffness or strength per dollar is the goal — PEI is stronger and cheaper if impact and unlimited autoclaving are not required; PC suffices for single-sterilization disposables.
Typical applications
- Surgical instrument handles and sterilization trays
- Reusable medical device housings
- Dental and lab equipment components
- Hot-water and steam fluid-handling parts
Compared with similar grades
| Property | PPSU (Radel) | ABS | Polycarbonate (PC) | Nylon PA6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 70 MPa | 40 MPa | 66 MPa | 79 MPa (dry) |
| Yield strength | ~70 MPa | ~40 MPa | ~62 MPa | ~79 MPa (dry) |
| Hardness | ~R120 (Rockwell) | R105 (Rockwell) | R118 (Rockwell) | R119 (Rockwell, dry) |
| Density | 1.29 g/cm³ | 1.05 g/cm³ | 1.20 g/cm³ | 1.14 g/cm³ |
| Price index | $$$$ | $ | $ | $ |
| Machinability | 3/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 3/5 |
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