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Engineering Plastic

PPSU (Radel)

PPSU, known by the Radel trade name, is an amorphous high-performance thermoplastic rated to 180C with the highest impact resistance in the sulfone family. It survives more than a thousand steam autoclave cycles without crazing, which makes it the default for reusable surgical instruments and sterilization trays that must endure years of repeated cleaning.

How PPSU (Radel) machines

Rated 4.0/5 — it machines cleanly with standard sharp tooling and good coolant, similar to PSU but with better resistance to stress-crazing during cutting. Use sharp edges and steady feeds to preserve its toughness; avoid overheating, which can locally degrade the surface and dull the natural finish.

Manufacturing & processing

Available in injection molding, CNC, and extrusion. Molding suits high-volume medical handles and trays; CNC serves prototypes and low-volume instrument parts. As an amorphous polymer it shrinks predictably and holds tolerances, supporting the precise fits surgical instruments and connectors require.

Typical applications

Best for repeat-autoclave surgical instruments, sterilization trays, dental tools, and aerospace interior parts needing flame resistance. Its combination of impact strength, 180C service, hydrolysis resistance, and tolerance of harsh detergents is what sets it apart from PSU in demanding reusable-device service.

When to choose it

Choose PPSU over PSU when you need maximum impact toughness, the highest autoclave-cycle life, and resistance to aggressive cleaning chemistries — at a higher material cost. Choose it over PEEK when you want toughness and transparency over peak temperature. Avoid it where 180C service is exceeded; step up to PEEK or PPS.

Suitable surface finishes

Common finishes for PPSU (Radel): bead blasting, powder coating. Use the finish selector →

FAQ

How is PPSU different from PSU?
PPSU (Radel) offers notably higher impact strength, a higher 180C service temperature, and far greater autoclave-cycle life than standard polysulfone. It also resists hot-water hydrolysis and harsh detergents better, which is why reusable surgical instruments specify it despite its higher cost.
How many sterilization cycles can PPSU survive?
PPSU tolerates well over a thousand steam autoclave cycles without significant crazing or loss of strength — substantially more than PSU. That endurance is the main reason it dominates reusable medical instrument trays and handles where parts are sterilized daily for years.
Is PPSU impact resistant?
Yes — PPSU has the highest impact resistance among the sulfone polymers, tolerating drops and mechanical shock that would crack PSU or brittle filled plastics. Combined with its 60% elongation, this toughness suits instrument handles that are repeatedly handled and occasionally dropped.

Property values are typical/nominal for early guidance and vary by temper, grade, supplier and heat treatment. Confirm critical specs against a certified datasheet or with an mfgiq engineer.