TECAPRO® SAN Plate

Despite the designation, TECAPRO® SAN is a polypropylene, not a styrene acrylonitrile - a semi-crystalline polyolefin compounded with an antimicrobial additive that releases silver ions gradually to suppress bacterial growth on the surface. Tensile strength at yield is 4,785 psi with elongation at break of at least 30%, flexural modulus 270,000 psi and ball indentation hardness 14,500 psi. Melting point is 325°F, maximum service temperature 212°F long-term and 250°F short-term, and heat deflection temperature 187°F at 1.8 MPa. Equilibrium moisture absorption is 0.05%. Flammability is UL94 HB, and the polymer resists a broad range of acids, alkalis and aqueous cleaning chemistry.

It is used for food processing and packaging machinery, bottling and canning equipment, water filtration hardware, laboratory and medical trays, food preparation surfaces, and high-touch items such as door handles and push plates. FDA conformity is claimed for the base resin, the color pigments and the antimicrobial additive. Polypropylene is soft and low-modulus, so machine with sharp, high-rake tooling, high surface speed and generous chip clearance, and expect burrs and movement under clamping pressure. Limitations: the additive protects the plastic itself against odor and biofilm and does not protect users against disease-causing organisms; stiffness is low, creep under load is real, and unprotected PP is not UV stable.