Polysulfone is a thermoplastic polymer developed for use above 149°C. It is synthesized via condensation polymerization of bisphenol A and 4,4'-dichlorodiphenyl sulfone. Grades include unfilled polysulfone as well as glass-filled and carbon-filled varieties. Polysulfone has good tensile strength, elongation, density, and chemical resistance, making it suitable for applications like medical equipment, plumbing fittings, and water treatment membranes. Research shows adding small amounts of graphene oxide as a filler can improve polysulfone's thermal and mechanical properties by strengthening the polymer-filler interface.

1. POLYSULFONE
MAHROZ MUSHTAQ
14MME-S1-339
5th Semester – Morning
Department of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering
Punjab University, Lahore

2.  Objectives
• Introduction
• Polymerization method
• Grades and producers
• Properties
• Processing techniques
• Applications
• Research on polymeric material
• Conclusion

3.  INTRODUCTION
• Polysulfone was the first thermoplastics developed for long term service beyond (149
°C).
• Toughness and stability .
• Polysulfones are used in specially applications (membrane for artificial kidney) and often
are a superior replacement for polycarbonates.
 Repeating unit 
 Molecular Formula  C27H22O4S

4.  POLYMERIZATION
 condensation polymerization method from bisphenol A and 4, 4 – dichlorosulphonyl
sulfone.
 Grades of PSU
PSU GF
– 110
PSU GF
– 130
Unfilled
PSU
PSU CF
– 30
PSU GF
– 120

5.  TRADE NAMES
 Commercial availability
• Granular
• Sheets
Tensile strength 50 – 70.3 MPa
Elongation 40 – 80 %
Young’s Modulus 2.48 GPa
Density 1.24 g/cm^3
Rockwell R120
Chemical
resistance
Yes
Operating
temperature
149 °C
Glass transition 170 – 185 °C
Melting 180 – 190 °C
Decomposition 460 – 600 °C
% Crystallinity 42 %
 PROPERTIES

6.  LIMITATIONS  PROCESSING TECHNIQUES

7.  APPLICATIONS
Medical
equipment
trays
Service
trays and
carafes
Heart
valve
holders
Hemodialysis
membrane
(Artificial
kidney)
Plumbing
fittings
Water
treatment
membrane

8. IMPROVING THE THERMAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF
POLYSULFONE BY INCORPORATION OF GRAPHENE OXIDE
• A composite is made by GO (graphene oxide) as filler with PSU
matrix.
• Effect of GO on mechanical, thermal, structural properties observed
by TGA, Universal testing machine and SEM.
• For observations, four composites were made with different
composition of GO (0.25, 0.5, 1 and 2 wt.%).
RESULT  Composites having 0.25 and 0.5 wt.% GO shows
improved thermal properties
• All composites with low content of GO (0.25, 0.5, 1 wt.%) show
enhanced mechanical properties and thermal with respect to neat
PSF, confirming the formation of a strong interface necessary for an
efficient load transfer from the PSF matrix to the GO.
• More than 1 wt.% GO will cause decrease in mechanical as well as
thermal properties.

9. CONCLUSION
Polysulfone is popular due to mechanical properties, chemical inertness, oxidative
resistance and high thermal stability. It also utilize in making surface hardened composites
of epoxy resin and use as membrane on large scale.
Thanks for listening 