PPS CNC Machining
PPS CNC machining: unfilled and 40% glass-fiber polyphenylene sulfide for 250 C chemical and automotive service, +/-0.005 mm class capability.
Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS) Machining
PPS is the semi-crystalline workhorse for 250 C chemical, automotive-sensor and pump service: inherently flame retardant, nearly inert to acids, bases and salts, with very low water uptake. Grade data below follows the Mechanical Design Handbook 6th ed. Vol. 1, table 3.4-80, cross-checked with the KGL engineering standard (2022-01-08).
Grades and Typical Data
| Grade | Tensile MPa | Elongation % | Flexural MPa | HDT 1.82 MPa C | Density g/cm3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PPS unfilled | 65.5 | 1-2 | 96.5 | - | 1.30-1.32 |
| PPS 10-20% glass fiber | 51.7-96.5 | 1.0-1.5 | 65.5-137.9 | - | 1.39-1.47 |
| PPS 40% glass fiber | 120.6-190.9 | 0.9-4 | 144.7-274.4 | 251.6-265 | 1.60-1.67 |
| PPS 40% glass/mineral | - | - | - | 260-265.5 | 1.78-2.03 |
Where PPS Wins
| Service | Why PPS | Typical parts |
|---|---|---|
| -50 to 250 C continuous | Highest continuous temperature of the volume-machinable thermoplastics in our table | Compressor valve plates, sensor bodies |
| Acid, base and salt exposure below 93 C | Resistant to 160 chemicals and drugs in handbook references | Pump impellers, seals, instrument components |
| Precision electrical | Low dielectric loss, arc resistance, dimensionally stable | Backbone and carrier plates, motor parts, gears, sleeves |
Machining Notes
- Glass-filled grades are abrasive: polycrystalline diamond tooling and conservative feed per tooth keep edge life and bore size stable
- Same rough-age-finish route as PEI: roughing, 24-hour aging, then light finish passes for +/-0.005 mm class results
- Unfilled PPS is brittle at the entry edge; sharp positive geometry and chamfer-first programming prevent corner blowout
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Questions buyers ask
PPS or PEEK for a 200 C chemical part?
Both survive 200 C chemistry. PPS wins on cost and dimensional stability; PEEK wins on toughness, bearing wear life and sterilization cycles. For statically loaded chemical housings PPS is the economical call; for sliding seals and repeated autoclave work, PEEK.
Can you hold tight tolerance on glass-filled PPS?
Yes. The 40% glass-fiber grade machines predictably with diamond tooling, and our rough-age-finish route holds +/-0.005 mm class results on stable features, in line with our standard polymer capability.
Is PPS electrically suitable for sensor carriers?
Yes: low dielectric constant with low loss, high arc resistance and less than 0.05% water uptake for the filled grades, which keeps sensor geometry and impedance stable in humid service.