Chemical resistant. 220 °C service. Inherently flame retardant.

PPS: $15-25/kg for glass-filled, 220 °C service, very good chemistry. PEEK: $120-180/kg unfilled, 260 °C service, better chemistry, better mechanics, biocompatible grades. PEEK is 5-10× more expensive. For temperatures 180-220 °C, aggressive automotive chemistry, cost-sensitive production: PPS. For biomedical, continuous 220-260 °C, or max performance: PEEK.

Glass fiber content (typically 40%) is abrasive — tool life is 10-20% of unfilled PPS or nylon. Use polycrystalline diamond (PCD) tooling for production. Alternative: carbide tools with reduced feed rates. Dust contains glass fibers — use proper ventilation and PPE. Standard surface finish Ra 1.6-3.2 µm. For smoother surfaces, secondary polishing required.

PPS's molecular structure is inherently flame retardant — no additives needed. Aromatic sulfur-containing rings form a protective carbonaceous char when exposed to flame. Self-extinguishing. UL 94 V-0 rating achievable without red phosphorus, halogenated, or other FR additives. Advantage: no additive migration or leaching over time — consistent FR performance for decades.

PPS resists: most acids (sulfuric, hydrochloric, nitric dilute), bases, alcohols, aromatics, chlorinated solvents, automotive fluids, most petroleum products. Attacked by: concentrated oxidizing acids (conc. nitric, fuming sulfuric, chromic acid), molten alkalis. For most chemical service, PPS is excellent. For very aggressive oxidizers, PEEK or PTFE better.

PPS is the growing automotive plastic for EVs. Applications: electric motor stator end-winding covers, battery pack components, power electronics housings, cooling system components. EV systems have higher operating temperatures than conventional automotive, and PPS handles them. Also: EMI shielding requirements met with conductive PPS grades.

PPS is the "sweet spot" high-temperature plastic. More expensive than commodity (nylon, PBT), much cheaper than premium (PEEK, PAI). For applications where nylon temperature limits are exceeded but full PEEK isn't needed, PPS is the right answer. Production economics at automotive volumes drive PPS adoption — injection molded PPS parts at $2-10 per part achievable.