再生PPS聚苯硫醚:耐高温料回炉再改性,电控壳体的高性价比路线

塑料知识科普 发布时间: 2026-09-13 2770 阅读

There is a factory that makes electrical control housings. After switching to recycled materials, not only did customers not return the products, but they also actually increased their orders. You might not believe it—they aren’t using imported new PPS; instead, they collect scrap pieces of glass fiber reinforced PPS, reprocess them, and pelletize them again. Who would have thought of this a few years ago? High-temperature resistant electrical components that need to meet UL94 V0 flame-retardant standards are now using recycled materials. But this is the reality: the demand for electric vehicle control units, OBCs, and thermal management parts has surged, new PPS is pricey, and the OEMs have added carbon footprint and green supply chain requirements to their sourcing standards. Only then was recycled PPS brought out from the corner and put on the table. Today, let’s fully explain this: high-temperature PPS can be reprocessed and modified—how can it even compete with new materials, what key steps must it pass first, so that procurement has a clear understanding.

Let's spend two minutes getting to know the main character. Ningbo Kolon New Material Co., Ltd. is a plastic raw material supply company integrating industry and trade. It has long been engaged in recycled plastic raw materials, covering categories such as PP, PE, ABS, PC, PET, PVC, HIPS, PA, and in recent years has also taken in the recycling and modification of high-temperature engineering plastics. Today, we are talking about recycled PPS, whose main character is polyphenylene sulfide. PPS is a bit tricky: it is heat-resistant, flame-retardant, chemically resistant, and dimensionally stable, naturally making it suitable for high-temperature electrical parts housings; however, its melting point is not low and the price is not cheap, so using pure resin can be costly. Over 70% of PPS circulating in the market is reinforced with glass fiber — adding glass fiber improves rigidity, heat resistance, and creep resistance, making it perfect for electrical housings, connectors, and electronic water pump impellers. Its recycled source comes from the sprues, scraps, and discarded pieces of these glass fiber-reinforced PPS parts, which, after sorting, cleaning, re-extrusion, and modification, return to the production line. This process is more sophisticated than ordinary recycled plastics because PPS has to pass more criteria: heat resistance, flame retardancy, and insulation — none of these can be compromised.

High temperature resistance does not mean it cannot be remelted; the concern is that the glass fibers may be shortened by abrasion.

When many people hear 'recycled PPS,' the first thought that comes to mind is: this material has to withstand temperatures of over 200 degrees, can it still be reliable after being remelted? This question hits the nail on the head, but the answer isn’t simply 'yes' or 'no.' PPS itself is truly heat-resistant — pure resin can withstand long-term use at 180°C, and with glass fiber reinforcement, it can handle long-term use at 200 to 240°C, and short-term peaks up to 260°C, with a melting point around 280–290°C. Its problem isn’t whether it can withstand high temperatures, but that 'this remelting process might have shortened the glass fibers.'

Think about it, in new PPS, those fibers of glass are generally three to six millimeters long, with an aspect ratio of forty to fifty, like tiny rebar embedded in the resin, keeping the casing firm without bending or deforming. But after breaking, remelting, and extruding along the way, the screw shears the fibers, making them shorter and shorter. In recycled material, the average length of glass fibers often drops to 0.8 to 1.5 millimeters, and the aspect ratio is halved as well. With shorter glass fibers, tensile and flexural strength naturally decrease—the publicly available industry data show that simply breaking and regranulating glass fiber-reinforced PPS results in tensile and flexural strength dropping by 15% to 30% compared to new material. This is the unavoidable hurdle for recycled PPS: it's not that the material can't be used, but that the 'rebar' of glass fiber has shortened and needs to be compensated for through the formulation.

How to replenish it? The method isn't actually complicated. One way is to mix recycled material with new PPS resin and new glass fiber in proportion, letting short glass fibers mix with the new glass fibers to restore the average length; another way is to run it through twin-screw extrusion again and vacuum devolatilization to remove small molecules and volatiles accumulated during processing, then add a bit of toughening and coupling agent. More meticulous factories will also add precision filtration before extrusion to filter impurities in the molten material down to about twenty microns. The recycled PPS produced this way can be reliably used for electronic packaging or SMT bases. There's also an optional process called solid-phase viscosity enhancement, which under nitrogen protection keeps it at 210 to 225 degrees Celsius for six to ten hours, allowing the molecular weight to recover by 10–20%, reducing volatiles further, which is quite helpful for high-end electronic components. Its applications are also not niche: the electronic control housings in new energy vehicles, insulation bases for OBCs and DC-DC converters, electronic water pump impellers, SMT connectors, ignition coil frameworks, sensor housings, and even low-voltage terminals in charging piles—basically a bunch of small parts that need long-term heat resistance, flame retardancy, and insulation, all supported by PPS. Calling it the 'hidden high-temperature hero inside the housings' of new energy vehicles is not an exaggeration. PPS crystallizes highly and has a high melting point, so the material must be thoroughly dried before processing. Otherwise, once moisture gets in, it undergoes hydrolytic chain scission and its strength drops. This drying step is unavoidable for both new and recycled materials; anyone who cuts corners will suffer.

Figure 1 Glass Fiber Reinforced PPS Electronic Control Housing Injection Molding Line

The amount of glass fiber added determines how heavy a job this material can handle.

To understand recycled PPS, you first need to establish the 'glass fiber content' as a reference. Even for recycled PPS, there’s a big difference between mixing 30% glass fiber and 60% glass fiber—their performance is in completely different leagues. The more glass fiber, the better the rigidity, heat resistance, and creep resistance, but the material becomes more brittle and its flow properties worsen; with less glass fiber, it’s easier to shape and the surface looks better, but the rigidity and heat resistance drop. Ningbo Kolon New Materials Co., Ltd. makes recycled PPS and usually first asks about the customer's operating temperature, wall thickness of the part, and whether it will go through reflow soldering before deciding on the reinforcement ratio—instead of immediately quoting a low price. The table below organizes commonly seen recycled PPS grades on the market according to their reinforcement systems, with data referenced from public TDS and industry information. For exact specifications, the manufacturer's actual measurements should be used; don’t make decisions based solely on paper parameters.

Level NameMain Sources / ProcessesKey indicatorsTypical uses
Recycled PPS Pure Resin GradePPS Sprue/Corner Cleaning and RecyclingUnfilled, good liquidity, needs modificationGeneral heat-resistant structural components, secondary processing base materials
Recycled PPS-GF30Recycling and reprocessing of 30% glass fiber reinforced componentsTensile strength about 130–160 MPa, HDT about 250°CConnectors, sensor housings, general electronic control components
Recycled PPS-GF40Recycling and reprocessing of 40% glass fiber reinforced componentsHigher rigidity, lower warpingElectronic water pump impeller, thermal management housing, skeleton
Recycled PPS-GF6060% High Glass Fiber Recycled MaterialHigh rigidity and low expansion, relatively difficult flowHigh-strength heat-resistant structural parts, coil skeleton
Recycled PPS Mineral-Filled GradeRecycling of Mineral/Glass Fiber Hybrid Filled ComponentsStable dimensions, low warping, good surfaceSwitch, relay base, housing
Recycled PPS-CF Carbon Fiber GradeRecycling of carbon fiber reinforced PPSConductive and wear-resistant, lightweightHigh-speed impeller, conductive shielding components

Note: The above enhancement ratios and performance represent the common ranges found in publicly available industry TDS, used for reference when selecting materials; recycled materials may show variation in actual measured data due to differences in source and modification processes. For more grades and physical property parameters, refer to the official TDS from the manufacturer. For electronic control components, it is recommended to obtain continuous batch test reports.

There’s another key point that needs to be explained clearly: when recycled PPS enters the factory, the first step is sorting. PPS parts are often mixed with materials like PA or PPA, which also withstand high temperatures, and it’s impossible to separate them with the naked eye. Reputable factories use near-infrared sorting to remove different engineering plastics and group together ones with similar glass fiber content and color. If sorting is wrong—like mixing carbon fiber conductive material into natural-colored insulating material—the resulting insulating housings will fail electrical leakage and tracking tests, leading to the entire batch being scrapped. So, even if it’s all called 'recycled PPS,' how cleanly it’s sorted directly determines which grade it can go into—this step cannot be skipped.

What is being saved is the cost of materials; what cannot be compromised is long-term stability at high temperatures.

In terms of material cost, recycled PPS is indeed cheaper than virgin resin, which is why industries like electronic controls and thermal management, which use large volumes and are cost-sensitive, use it extensively. However, in the PPS field, there are some subtleties that other materials don't have: the money you save on the material may very well be eaten up by insufficient additives or unmet thermal aging requirements. Therefore, making decisions based solely on the per-ton price can be particularly risky in the PPS industry.

Breaking down this bill, it is roughly like this:

Cost itemNew Material Reinforced PPSRecycled PPS (properly modified)Difference Explanation
Raw material purchase priceBenchmark pricea bit lowerThe main advantage of recycled materials is the large quantity of electronic components.
Glass fiber retentionLong fiberglass, high strengthAfter recycling, the fiberglass becomes shorter and needs to be replenished.Only when the modification is in place can the strength be restored.
Heat Resistance and Thermal AgingOriginal factory curve is stableDepends on devolatilization and re-modificationHigh-temperature long-term components need to be checked for thermal aging data
Insulating / Flame RetardantMature V0Most can still V0, retesting is requiredElectrical components must have CTI and flame retardant reports
Batch ConsistencyStableRelying on sorting and blending to get byI can only be confident with consecutive batches of data
Comprehensive costTallIf modification is done properly, it is significantly lowerDraw conclusions after taking the risk of thermal aging into account

Here’s another major trend that many people haven’t noticed: the usage of electric control, OBC, DC-DC, and thermal management components in new energy vehicles is increasing, and the demand for recycled PPS is rising accordingly. According to publicly available industry research reports, China’s recycled PPS market has been growing rapidly in recent years and is expected to reach around 80,000 tons by 2026. More importantly, top automakers and battery manufacturers like BYD and CATL have already included recycled materials and green supply chain procurement in their supply chain requirements. This means that using recycled PPS properly not only saves material costs but also helps customers meet carbon footprint and green supply chain standards. For example, a casing manufacturer used unmodified recycled GF30; initially, the assembly was fine, but six months later, parts near high-temperature compartments became brittle and cracked under vibration. The cost of rework and claims completely outweighed the material savings. In contrast, using GF40 recycled material with added glass fibers and coupling agents, and providing strength data after each batch undergoes thermal aging, may have a higher unit price than blindly mixed material, but nothing fails over six months or a year, and customers may even place additional orders. The real calculation here isn’t about saving a few dozen yuan per ton, but whether the long chain of follow-up reliability holds. Which parts can safely use recycled materials and which areas require extra caution—here’s a boundary list laid out for you:

Safe to use: For cost-sensitive general electronic control housings, connector bases, sensor housings, and non-critical parts of electronic water pumps, well-modified recycled GF30/GF40 is more than sufficient.

Be careful: For components that are exposed to high temperatures and voltage for a long time, monitor the retention of strength and insulation data after thermal aging; for components that go through SMT reflow soldering, check that they do not deform or precipitate after the soldering process.

Do not touch: Safety structural components that are subjected to long-term stress and have serious consequences if they fail. Do not force unanmodified short glass fiber recycled material onto them; food and medical implants require separate compliance, assuming otherwise will cause accidents.

Whether the casing cracks or not will only be revealed after six months of heat aging.

Factories that make high-temperature parts have mostly encountered this kind of frustrating situation (customer information has been anonymized). A factory near Ningbo that produces automotive electronic control housings tried to cut costs a couple of years ago and bought a batch of unmodified recycled PPS-GF30 because it was cheap, intending to use it to make housings. When they first made the parts, the dimensions and appearance were acceptable, and during small-batch trial installations, the customer didn't find any issues. But after being installed in cars for about half a year, a batch of housings near the high-temperature chamber gradually became brittle, cracked with just a little vibration, and failed at the customer end, leading to the entire batch being reworked.

Later, this factory got in touch with Ningbo Kolon New Materials Co., Ltd. Kolon New Materials looked at their samples and working conditions, and the problem became clear immediately: it wasn’t that recycled material couldn’t be used, but that the fiberglass in this batch of recycled material was shortened and not replenished, so after thermal aging, the strength couldn’t hold up. The next step was to switch to re-modified recycled PPS-GF40 with replenished fiberglass and coupling agents, dry it to the required standard before processing, and attach tensile, HDT, and flame-retardant reports for each batch; for those wall positions close to high temperature, the material was verified based on strength retention after 100 hours of thermal aging. After this adjustment, the housings passed thermal aging and vibration tests and didn’t crack again; the client not only didn’t return the goods but even increased the order. Later, the factory calculated: the unit price of recycled PPS-GF40 is considerably lower than that of new material, and although more was spent on thermal aging verification, compared to reworking or compensating for the entire batch, it was a trivial expense.

Recycled PPS dares to claim it can match new material, but it relies not on tough talk, but on modification to make up for glass fiber length, volatiles, and batch differences one by one. The material cost is saved, but the verification of thermal aging cannot be skipped—if skimped, it will be paid back with interest sooner or later. This is also the consistent approach of Ningbo Cologne New Materials Co., Ltd. for its recycled PPS clients: unless the parts have completed enough thermal aging hours and the consecutive batch reports are all ready, the material will not be rushed to be delivered.

(Note: The scenario is summarized based on common industry selection issues, not an actual transaction record.)

Clarify the operating temperature so that the grade of PPS matches correctly.

Below is a comparison table of common application scenarios and recommended levels; you can use it as needed. One more reminder before placing an order: recycled PPS is a modified material, so don’t just look at the price per ton—make sure to ask whether it contains glass fiber, whether there is thermal aging data, and if continuous batch reports can be provided. Once you have clarified these questions, it’s not too late to discuss the price.

Application scenarioRecommendation LevelPrecautionsWhen to stop using
General electrical control enclosureRecycled PPS-GF30Focus on strength and flame retardant V0Components under long-term high-temperature stress
Thermal Management / Electronic Water PumpRecycled PPS-GF40Heat aging and coolant resistanceUnmodified short glass fiber material
SMT Connector BaseRecycled PPS-GF30/40Does not deform after reflow solderingExcess precipitate material on SMT
coil skeletonRecycled PPS-GF60High rigidity, low expansionUse flow-deficient material to make thin-walled parts
Switch/Relay BaseRecycled PPS mineral filledStable dimensions, good appearanceHigh-stress structural member
Conductive shielding componentRecycled PPS-CFConductive and Wear-resistantNatural transparent exterior parts

The cost-saving from recycled PPS isn't about the small price difference of 'used material'; it's about revalidating the high-temperature resistance.

Recycled PPS, a cost-effective route for high-temperature electrical components

Disclaimer: The brands and trademarks mentioned in this article are owned by their respective manufacturers. This article is a third-party material selection knowledge sharing, and the specific grades, parameters, prices, certifications, and other information mentioned herein are subject to the latest official information from each manufacturer. This article does not constitute any procurement or investment advice.

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