Poly(p-phenylene sulfide)
Polyphenylene sulfide ("PPS") is an organic polymer consisting of aromatic rings linked with sulfides. Synthetic fiber and textiles derived from this polymer exhibit excellent resistance to chemical and thermal attack. PPS is used to make filter fabric for coal boilers, papermaking felts, electrical insulation, specialty membranes, gaskets, and packings. PPS is the precursor to a conducting polymer of the semi-flexible rod polymer family. The PPS, which is otherwise insulating, can be converted to the semiconducting form by oxidation or use of dopants. Chevron Phillips manufactures the most common form in industry under the brand name Ryton.
Fiber characteristics
- Outstanding resistance to heat
- Outstanding resistance to acids and alkalies
- Excellent resistance to mildew, aging, sunlight and abrasion
- Nondyeable
- Resistant to bleaches and solvents under normal conditions
Production
The Federal Trade Commission definition for sulfar fiber is "A manufactured fiber in which the fiber-forming substance is a long chain synthetic polysulfide in which at least 85% of the sulfide (—S—) linkages are attached directly to two (2) aromatic rings."
The PPS (polyphenylene sulfide) polymer is formed by reaction of sulfide with p-dichlorobenzene:
- ClC6H4Cl + Na2S → 1/n [C6H4S]n + 2 NaCl
The polymer is then extruded by melt spinning to produce both staple and filament fibers.
First U.S. Commercial Sulfar Fiber Production: 1983, Phillips Fibers Corporation, A Subsidiary of Phillips 66 Company. Testori Group - Sulfar Fibers (PPS). Current U.S. Sulfar Fiber Producers: Fiber Innovation Technology, Inc.
See also
- Brand name: Fortron by Ticona, marketed as a linear polymer
- Brand name: Ryton® PPS by Chevron Phillips, mainly marketed as cross-linked type of polymer
- Brand name: Sulfar
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