Sheet in PPE 2000x1000 mm gray

The sheet in PPE is built on polyphenylene ether, usually combined with additives that raise impact strength to give a structural material with an unusual mix of properties. Dimensional stability, low water absorption and stable electrical values across a wide temperature range are what attract designers; the ease of machining and the good surface finish are the bonus that gets discovered during production.

The density is around 1.1 g/cm³, the continuous service temperature around 100 degrees and the lowest service temperature down toward 40 degrees below zero. Fire class HB in the basic version, FR qualities reach higher. Water absorption is low, around 0.1 percent, which makes the material predictable in damp or shifting environments. The dielectric constant is low and stable, which is one of the reasons PPE is often found in electronic enclosures and high frequency applications.

The sheet is used in:

electrical insulators and carriers for circuit boards

liquid carrying parts for drinking water and process liquids (choose an approved quality)

structural elements in pumps, valves and housing work

sound enclosures and vibration damping covers

parts where the dimensions have to hold through both moisture and temperature swings

Machining is pleasant: the material cuts evenly with ordinary metal tools, gives fine surfaces without melting, and the chip breaks in a controlled way with sharp inserts. Drilling, tapping and milling work excellently without special precautions beyond what applies to all engineering plastics (a sharp edge, moderate feed, clean chip evacuation). Gluing is done with epoxy or cyanoacrylate after sanding the surface; welding works with hot air.

When choosing between PPE, PC and PSU for an insulating part it is usually the electrical behavior and the water resistance that decide. PPE has the lowest water absorption of the three, keeps dimensions and electrical values across a wide humidity range, and is often easier to mill than PC in thicker work. For temperatures higher than 100 degrees continuously you climb on up to PSU, PPSU or PEI; for better impact strength at room temperature the choice often stops at a PPE/PS blend.

The natural color is usually a faint yellow white or gray, and modified grades come in darker shades. The sheet comes in thicknesses from a millimeter or so up to over 50 mm, usually in formats around 1000 x 500 mm or 1000 x 1000 mm. Store it in dry and clean conditions; even though the water absorption is low, the surface does collect dust.

Help with the material choice between PPE, PC and PSU for your application? Send over the requirements for temperature, moisture and electrical behavior and we will sort it out.

The large gray sheet at 2000x1000 mm covers whole panels and screens in one piece.