Solvay Specialty Polymers EpiSpire® EP-340 Sulfone, High Temperature (HTS)  (Unverified Data**)

EpiSpire® EP-340 is a high-temperature, high-performance, amorphous, sulfone polymer. With a glass transition temperature of 265°C (509°F) and a heat deflection temperature of 255°C (491°F), EpiSpire EP-340 resin offers one the highest glass transition temperatures for fully thermoplastic transparent resin on the market today. In addition to this exceptional thermal performance, this resin exhibits the other performance features and attributes typical of aromatic sulfone polymers. These features include good strength, stiffness, and dielectric properties over a wide temperature range, resistance to hydrolysis by hot water and steam environments, excellent resistance to acids and bases, and inherent flammability resistance. The resin also offers a high degree of dimensional control during fabrication and dimensional stability during part service life. EP-340 resin is easily amenable to fabrication by injection molding, extrusion and other thermoplastic fabrication techniques. By virtue of its very high temperature performance and the unique combination of other engineering attributes, EP-340 resin constitutes a good candidate for metal replacement as well as thermoset resin replacement in a wide range of engineering applications. In its natural state, EpiSpire® EP-340 resin is transparent with an amber color. The resin is available in natural pellet and in powder form for the purpose of compounding or solution-based processing. - Natural: EP-340 NT - Powder: EP-340PInjection Notes: Drying EpiSpire® EP-340 high-temperature sulfone resin must be dried completely prior to melt processing. Incomplete drying will result in defects in the formed part ranging from surface streaks to severe bubbling. However, such parts may be recovered as regrind, since there will be no loss of properties. Pellets can be dried on trays in a circulating air oven or in desiccated a hopper dryer. Recommended drying conditions for injection molding are 149°C (300°F) for 4 hours. Target moisture content of < 0.05% is recommended for injection molding. For extrusion purposes, more thorough drying is needed with target moisture of < 0.02%. Hopper drying for a minimum of 4 hours at 177°C (350°F) is recommended. Injection Molding EpiSpire® EP-340 resin can be readily injection molded in most screw injection molding machines to close part tolerances. Stock temperature requirements will generally range from 390°C to 410°C (734°F to 770°F), depending on mold design and the type of equipment being used. A general purpose 2.2:1 compression screw is recommended, with minimum back pressure. Mold temperatures of at least 180°C (356°F) are suggested. For long-flow or thin-walled parts, or where low residual stresses are required use mold temperatures of 190°C to 210°C (374°F to 410°F).Information provided by Solvay Specialty Polymers.