Product Description
Sintered porous plastic sheet line of custom and standard products offered by Porex, comes in wide variety of materials, thickness, and grades suitable for a wide range of applications across healthcare, industrial, electronics and consumer industries. While POREX porous plastics are naturally hydrophobic, our porous plastic sheets can be made hydrophilic with a special treatment procedure.
POREX porous plastic sheets are commonly used for filtering, diffusing, venting, wicking, fluidizing, air conveying or as membrane supports. The filtration varies depending on the micron size material selected. These sheets are chemically resistant to most acids, alkalis, solvents and hydrocarbon based fuels. They can be die cut into any 2D geometric shape. Rods and tubes are also available in many porosities.
Below are typical properties of the most common materials in our porous plastic sheets. If you have requirements outside of these ranges, please talk with one of our engineers to discuss your needs. There are many types of porous polymers available to suit almost any operating environment and condition. Our engineers can help select the right polymer for your device’s application.
Physical Properties for Common Materials
| POLYMER | PORE SIZE (MICRONS) | Pore Volume % | Operating Temperature (F) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polyethylene (PE) | 5 to 250 | 25 to 60 | 180 | ||||
| Polypropylene (PP) | 100 to 300 | 30 – 40 | 250 | ||||
| Polyvinvylidene Fluoride (PVDF) | 20 to 30 | 30 – 40 | 300 | ||||
| Polytetrafluroethylene (PTFE) | <1 to 50 | 20 to 65 | 400 |
Chemical Compatibility
Each porous polymer has its own unique chemical compatibility. In order to select the best polymer for your device, it’s critical to let our engineers know any chemicals with which the porous plastic will come into contact within the device or environment.
Some common chemicals to consider include:
- Acids (non-oxidizing)
- Bases / alkalis
- Oils
- Oxidizing agents
- Solvents:
- Aromatic
- Halogenated
- Non-polar aliphatic
- Polar-aprotic
- Polar-protic
Additive Capabilities
Below are additive capabilities for the most common porous polymers available in sheet form. If you have requirements outside of these common additives, please talk with one of our engineers to discuss your needs. There are many types of porous polymers available to suit almost any operating environment and condition.
| ADDITIVE | PE/PP | PTFE |
|---|---|---|
| Self-sealing liquid barrier | x | |
| Hydrophilic treatment | x | |
| Colorants | x | |
| Color change | x | |
| Ion exchange | x | |
| Bactericidal / bacterial static | x | |
| Carbon, portable water, odor elimination | x | |
| Oleophobic treatment | x | |
Assembly & Converting Options
Porous plastic sheets can be converted and assembled using any of the below methods:
- Die-cutting
- Overmolding
- Press fit
- Pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA)
- Thermal & ultrasonic welding
Please make sure to discuss how your device will be assembled with your engineer, as that will play a crucial role in determining the best material for your porous plastic sheet.
Design Considerations & Questions
As you design your device and consider the function that POREX porous plastic sheets will play, answering the questions below will optimize the porous polymer selection to your device:
- What is the function of the part you are looking for within the application or assembly?
- What formulas / solutions will the part interact with?
- What are the performance requirements for function?
- What are the size requirements?
- Are there manufacturing constraints?
Common Applications
Porous plastic sheets can be used across all market areas and applications. Visit our Markets page to explore many common applications by industry. If you have a specific function in mind – such as venting or filtration – visit our Custom Solutions section for more information on each function and common applications.