PES is a high-temperature amorphous thermoplastic and is used in applications where high stiffness and high continuous operating temperatures are a pre-requisite.
PES can, however, be degraded by UV light and so has a low resistance to weathering.
PES can be sterilised repeatedly (autoclaved) and so is used for some medical devices including instrument trays and infusion equipment.
The major disadvantage to adhesively joining PES (and polysulfone) is that they are extremely prone to stress cracking by uncured adhesives and so any excess uncured adhesive should be either cured or removed from the surface immediately.
The UV acrylic gave excellent results on the grade of polyethersulfone tested [2] (Table 2.8) but good results were also achieved with the specialist ‘polyolefin bonder’, a 10:1 two-part acrylic.
Table 2.8 Adhesive shear strengths (PES)
Notes: All shear strengths are given as guidelines only and may vary considerably depending on grade of plastic, fillers, surface finish, etc. |