Sumitomo Chemical Advanced Technologies is bringing one of its high performance thermoplastics to the North American market.
Sumiploy CS5530 is a polyether sulfone with a proprietary additive package that boosts wear resistance and dimensional stability. It has been in commercial use for a few years at an undisclosed automotive OEM in an oil control valve. It replaced aluminum based on cost savings and improved response time in a variable valve timing system.
The PES material is mainly aimed at automotive applications but it also is suited to electrical, electronic and aerospace components, said Janice Grzywa, business manager for engineering polymers for Sumitomo Chemical. In addition to metal replacement, it can be an option to replace other high-end polymers such as polyetheretherketone and polyetherimide, Grzywa said from Sumitomo Chemical's Phoenix, Ariz., operation.
The Sumiploy grade has high tensile strength, flexural modulus and impact strength. With specific gravity of 1.56, its standard molding temperature is 680 degrees F. Its glass transition temperature ranges from 437° F to 446° F.
The Phoenix operation includes PES grinding for incorporating the resin in aerospace panels.
Sumiploy is manufactured in Sumitomo's Ehime, Japan, factory. The firm's other PES materials can include liquid crystal polymer and other modifiers to increase strength properties.