TechnologIES

Sintered Porous Plastic

Outstanding Durability and 2D/3D Design Flexibility

Sintered porous plastics innovation expert

Sintered porous plastic materials are manufactured by Porex using a proprietary process that enables the creation of both 2D and 3D porous polymer components that offer superior strength, durability, chemical resistance, resiliency, and design flexibility across many applications. Made from a variety of thermoplastic materials with varying properties, our materials can be supplied as sheets, rolls, or other geometric formats specific to your filtration, absorption, applicator, venting, diffusing, or wicking needs. Unlike injection molding, the material is not liquified but instead bonded together through controlled heat and pressure that results in a connected pore structure that can be truly tailored to control the flow of particles within the device.

While sintered polypropylene and sintered polyethylene are most commonly recognized and used, there are other types of porous polymers available, such as Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), which we can help you to select based on your device and the chemical and additive compatibility required.

Porous Polymer

Talk with a Material Science Expert

Manufacturing process

Sintered porous plastics are created using a combination of heat and pressure to bond the materials together. The objective is not to melt or change the main properties of the material, but to create a porous media where pore size and volume can be strategically manipulated to optimize your device’s performance. This could include functional capabilities such as wicking speed, wicking distance, filtration efficiency, flow resistance, and absorption speed and volume, among others.

Watch the process

Options for customizing sintered porous plastics

Physical properties

When designing a sintered porous plastic component, it’s critical to consider three key physical properties which impact device function:

  1. Pore Size: the size of the voids in a porous media. Depending on the material selected, pore size can range from very small (< 1 micron) to quite large (up to 300 microns) depending on the device’s application. Pore size impacts key device functions such as wicking speed, wicking distance, filtration efficiency, and flow resistance that dictate its ability to effectively handle gases or liquid materials.
  2. Pore Volume: the percentage of air in the sintered plastic part compared to the total volume of the part. This directly correlates to a device’s absorption volume and flow resistance capabilities. Sintered particle plastics can create large or small voids which provide the appropriate amount of particle retention needed for the device to perform as intended.
  3. Operating Temperature: the temperature range at which the final sintered plastic part will be required to operate. This application requirement will dictate what material options are available to you.

Below is a chart that details the physical properties of our most common sintered polymer materials.


Polymer Pore Sizes
(microns)
Pore Volume
(%)
Operating
Temprature
(F)
Polyethylene (PE) 5 to 250 25-60 180
Polypropylene (PP) 100 to 300 30-40 250
Polyvinylidene Flouride (PVDF) 20 to 30 30-40 300
Polytetrafluroethylene (PTFE) <1 to 60 30-70 400

Chemical properties

Considering the chemicals – if any – in which the sintered porous plastic component will come into contact with is another key consideration to make when selecting your porous material. Below is a table showing the compatibility of typically used chemicals with our most common sintered porous plastics.

 

Chemicals PE PP PTFE PVDF
Acids (non oxidizing) Good Good Good Good
Bases Good Good Good Poor
Oil Fair-Good Fair-Good Good Good
Aromatic solvents Poor Poor Good Good
Non-polar aliphatic solvent Fair Fair Good Good
Polar-aprotic solvents Fair-Good Fair-Good Good Poor
Polar-Protic solvents Fair-Good Fair-Good Good Good
Halogenated solvent Poor Poor Good Good
Oxidizing agents Poor Poor Good Good

Sintered porous plastics can be manufactured using a variety of materials which can be selected as part of the initial design and engineering process. As your partner in innovation, Porex can provide expertise and guidance on material selection based on the pore size, pore volume, operating temperature, chemical compatibility, and additive compatibility desired. These material options include:

Sintered Polyethylene (PE)
This is the most commonly used material with a large range of pore sizes available (5 to 250 microns). It is a strong, lightweight thermoplastic that can withstand more process variation than other materials.

Sintered Polypropylene (PP)
For strong applications where rigid structure and a large pore size is desired, PP thermoplastic material is an excellent option. It shares many of the same chemical and additive compatibilities as PE material.

Sintered Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)
For applications in need of ultra-hydrophobicity, high temperature tolerances, high chemical resistance, and excellent robustness, sintered PTFE is a perfect choice. It is 100% pure, free of PFOA and can filter particles as small at 0.1 micron using depth filtration while resisting fluid ingress.

Sintered Polyvinyllidene Flouride (PVDF)
For applications where your device is subjected to oxidizing agents or solvents, sintered PVDF is a great option. It is a low-weight, highly pure thermoplastic that is durable with a strong resistance to solvents, acids, and bases.

While these four materials are most common, there are other options available including nylon (N6), ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA), polycaronate (PC), and elastomers among others. Working closely with your application engineering team, we can define your specifications and applicational requirements to select a material that is best for you.

Additives and treatments open the door to many possibilities for your sintered plastic component. Below are some additives and treatments used with the common polymers listed above:

Sintered Polyethylene (PE) and Sintered Polypropylene (PP) accept:

  • Self-sealing, liquid barrier
  • Hydrophilic treatments
  • Colorants
  • Color change
  • Ion exchange
  • Bactericidal / bacterial static
  • Carbon, potable water, odor elimination

 

Sintered PTFE accepts:

  • Oleophobic treatment
  • Polypropylene scrim support

One of the key advantages of sintered porous plastics is the ability to design and manufacture it to accommodate a variety of geometric needs – from sheets and rolls to more complex 3D structures. There are very few limitations in what size or shape the sintered porous plastic can take which offers significant flexibility as you begin planning your design and manufacturing process. Various geometric options to consider include:

  • Standard sheets or rolls
  • Rods
  • Tubes
  • Nibs (for writing instruments)
  • 2D plugs
  • Simple and complex 3D shapes

As your partner in innovation, our engineers study your manufacturing process and design goals to determine the material size, shape, and dimensions you need.

There are many options to consider when assembling and converting our sintered porous plastics. These include:

  • Thermal & ultrasonic welding
  • Overmolding
  • Die-cutting
  • Press fit
  • Pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA)

As our engineers learn how your final product or device will be assembled, they can develop a strategy of combining multiple parts into one custom-engineered part to reduce assembly time and complexity.

 

 


Porous Laboratory Components

Register for Our On-Demand Webinar

Intro to Sintered Porous Plastics

Common applications for sintered porous plastics

Filtration solutions

Filter

In the field of healthcare, sintered porous plastics can offer filtration capabilities which facilitate measured pharmaceutical delivery of inhalers, nebulizers, spray pumps, and other medical devices. In addition, they can be used to maintain the device’s sterility when utilizing antimicrobial additives. 

Application Solutions

Apply

Sintered porous plastics can be used to ensure leak-free performance of applicators that spread a fluid, gas, or solid onto a surface or substrate. This could include topical applicators for drug delivery, writing instrument nibs, or cosmetic products which all require unique delivery and transfer of ink or formula. 

Venting solutions

Vent

Designing protective vents using sintered porous plastics can allow for the escape or release of fumes, a liquid, a gas, or steam in various applications. This could include IV catheters that must vent out air as blood fills the chamber or electronics or batteries that need protection against dust and moisture.

diffusion outline

Diffuse

For devices requiring a consistent emission of a gas or liquid over time, sintered
porous plastics can provide a reliable means of diffusion in applications such as air care, insecticides, or even healthcare where bioprocessing spargers diffuse oxygen into cell cultures.

absorption function

Absorb

For targeted gas detection and air filtration applications, sintered porous plastics can help to absorb various airborne particles that otherwise may impact detection capabilities and/or pose a safety concern for those exposed.

Porous Laboratory Components

Why do pore size and flow matter?

Learn more in our new technical article

Related Resources

Porex: The Perfect Fit Brochure

Experience Porex’s customizable porous media capabilities. From advanced filtration media to cutting-edge fluid management, our unmatched material science expertise and extensive global manufacturing network help you unlock new frontiers of innovation and efficiency.

Understanding Pore Size Distribution

In this video, learn how to measure the space between the particles and their effect on component performance.

Understanding Pore Volume

Explore the impact of pore volume to better understand its impact on your device’s functionality.

Your Partner in Innovation

Discover how Porex has been a partner in innovation for over 60 years in this video.

Frequently Asked Questions about Sintered Porous Plastics 

1. What are the benefits of using sintered porous plastics in device applications?

Sintered porous plastics stand out with their superior strength, chemical resistance, and durability. They are not just any materials, but are uniquely designed for applications that demand filtration, venting, diffusion, absorption, or wicking functionalities. Their exceptional design flexibility can boost device performance by optimizing characteristics such as filtration efficiency and wicking speed. 

2. How are sintered porous plastic components manufactured?

The manufacturing of sintered porous plastic components is a meticulous process that involves controlled heat and pressure. This unique method bonds the material without melting it, thereby preserving the core properties of the plastic and enabling the creation of a customizable connected pore structure. This structure can be finely tuned to achieve desired flow characteristics and performance in the final application. 

3. What types of sintered polymers does Porex offer?

Porex offers a wide range of materials, including polyethylene, polypropylene, polytetrafluoroethylene , and polyvinyllidene flouride. To find out which material is best for your project, contact us for help with material selection.

4. Can sintered porous plastics be customized for specific applications?

Yes, the physical properties of sintered porous plastics, such as pore size, volume, and the resultant functionalities like absorption speed, filtration efficiency, and flow resistance, can be strategically manipulated. This customization allows for the optimization of device performance across various applications, including healthcare, industrial filtering, and venting solutions. 

5. What types applications are suited for sintered porous polymers?

Sintered porous plastics are widely used in the healthcare industry for filtration in medical devices like inhalers and nebulizers. They contribute to precise drug delivery and maintain sterility with the help of antimicrobial additives. These plastics are also essential in industrial applications, ensuring leak-free performance in fluid, gas, or solid applicators. The versatility and flexibility of sintered porous plastics improve device reliability, functionality, and efficiency in many applications.