Polyphenylene ether (PPE) or polyphenylene oxide (PPO) is thermoplastic consisting of aromatic phenylene rings linked together with ether bonds. Because of such stiff backbone, PPE has very high glass transition temperature (Tg), which is so high that the polymer decomposes in the melt state making it unprocessable and unsuitable for injection molding.
This is the reason that it is rarely used in its pure form. It is mainly used as blend with high impact polystyrene, high impact styrene-butadiene copolymer or polyamide. Mixing it with high impact polystyrene in any ratio, makes it easy to process.
They combine the inherent benefits of PPE resin (affordable high heat resistance, good electrical properties, excellent hydrolytic stability and the ability to use non-halogen FR packages), with excellent dimensional stability, good processibility and low specific gravity. It behaves as an amorphous thermoplastic with a high heat distortion temperature (130°C). PPE has low moisture absorption what leads to good electrical properties over a wide range of humidity and temperature ranges, whar further makes it quite suitable for hot water environment. PPE is soluble in moderately polar solvents and has problems with UV ageing unless it is suitably stabilised.
Grades supplied
Tecotek OP20 GR20 BK009 01 0A
(PPE/HIPS, 20% glass fiber reinforced, black)
Tecotek OP20 GR30 BK009 01 0A
(PPE/HIPS, 30% glass fiber reinforced, black)
Tecotek OP20 GR30 BG018 01 0A
(PPE/HIPS, 30% glass fiber reinforced, bež, WRAS certified)
Brochures and useful literature
EUROTEC_Processing_Conditions
EUROTEC_Troubleshooting
EUROTEC PPO Coresponding Grades Table