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Making drinking water safer with materials for faucet components

Drinking water crises, such as the widespread lead contamination in Flint, Michigan, are making more consumers aware of the health risks that plumbing parts containing leachable substances pose. As a result, manufacturers of residential water system components, including faucet mixing valves and mixing cartridges, are under pressure to use safe and sustainable materials.

Brass, copper, lead, and other metals have traditionally been used in bathroom and kitchen faucets. However, as regulators target substances such as lead which can create health risks by leaching into drinking water, manufacturers are replacing these traditional materials with more advanced thermoplastics.

Understand why choosing DSM in faucet components

DSM offers a robust portfolio of proven material solutions for faucets including EcoPaXX® bio-based PA410, ForTii® PPA, and Xytron™ PPS.

  • Compliant for warm/hot water contact
  • Sustainable bio-based solutions available
  • Superior performance in mechanics and finish
  • Global availability, solutions in PA66, PPO tooling

For example, EcoPaXX is a bio-based long-chain polyamide made with 70% renewable castor bean feedstock. Due to its unique bio-based chemistry, it offers best-in-class low moisture uptake, excellent mechanical strength and the highest melting temperature of any bioplastic solution - making it ideal for water system applications.

Explore DSM grades for faucet components

EcoPaXX® Q-DWX10

50% Glass Reinforced

EcoPaXX® Q-DWX10 is a long aliphatic polyamide with excellent mechanical & flow performance for use in food contact & drinking water applications

EcoPaXX® Q-DWX10 is a long aliphatic polyamide with excellent mechanical & flow performance for use in food contact & drinking water applications

EcoPaXX® Q-DWX10 is a long aliphatic polyamide with excellent mechanical & flow performance for use in food contact & drinking water applications

  • Excellent Surface Properties,Drinking Water Grade,Food Contact Quality,Good surface properties
  • Excellent Surface Properties,Drinking Water Grade,Food Contact Quality,Good surface properties
  • Excellent Surface Properties,Drinking Water Grade,Food Contact Quality,Good surface properties
  • Excellent Surface Properties,Drinking Water Grade,Food Contact Quality,Good surface properties
DSM Plasticsfinder
Download data sheet (131KB)

ForTii® WX11-FC

30% Glass Reinforced

ForTii® WX11-FC has excellent hydrolysis resistance, processability and surface quality and is ideal for complex and thin walled food and water contact applications. For detailed statements and information regarding food contact and water contact approvals please contact your DSM representative.

ForTii® WX11-FC has excellent hydrolysis resistance, processability and surface quality and is ideal for complex and thin walled food and water contact applications. For detailed statements and information regarding food contact and water contact approvals please contact your DSM representative.

ForTii® WX11-FC has excellent hydrolysis resistance, processability and surface quality and is ideal for complex and thin walled food and water contact applications. For detailed statements and information regarding food contact and water contact approvals please contact your DSM representative.

  • PA4T,Food Contact Quality,Drinking Water Grade,USP class VI classified
  • PA4T,Food Contact Quality,Drinking Water Grade,USP class VI classified
  • PA4T,Food Contact Quality,Drinking Water Grade,USP class VI classified
  • PA4T,Food Contact Quality,Drinking Water Grade,USP class VI classified
DSM Plasticsfinder
Download data sheet (129KB)

Xytron™ G4020DW-FC

40% Glass Reinforced

Xytron™ is a high performance plastic compound of DSM Engineering Plastics, which is based on PPS (polyphenylene sulphide).

Xytron™ offers extremely good chemical resistance, dimensional stability, intrinsic flame retardancy and high stiffness.

Because of its outstanding properties, Xytron™ contributes to an excellent performance in many different applications.

  • Drinking Water Grade,Food Contact Quality,Flame Retardant
  • Drinking Water Grade,Food Contact Quality,Flame Retardant
  • Drinking Water Grade,Food Contact Quality,Flame Retardant
DSM Plasticsfinder
Download data sheet (212KB)

Browse faucet components applications

Faucet system components

Consumer goods |

Application requirements High strength (static pressure > 500psi, bending strength >61Nm) No water leakage during lifetime (cycle test up to 1 million cycles) High crew thread strength Material properties Superior stiffness and toughness Good hydrolysis resistance High dimensional stability All major drinking water approvals
More info

Pipe Fittings

Building & construction | Water management

Akulon has better surface appearance; Stanyl solves wear and friction issues; EcoPaXX has the lowest carbon footprint amongst common polyamides; Xytron offers extremely good chemical resistance
More info

Pump Housings

Industrial equipment | Pumps & valves

Allows for lightweight and more economical solutions; Allows for more reliable solutions; Provides higher stiffness and chemical resistance;Fifty percent lighter and 30 percent more affordable than metal; Can be metallized via electroplating or vacuum deposition; Flame retardant; Combines high strength and rigidity with excellent processing characteristics;Bio-based; Low-moisture uptake & high chemical resistance; Best-in-class high temperature and wet mechanical performance; Low-moisture uptake & high chemical resistance.
More info

Contact us for more information

Direct and easy access to our broad portfolio of high-performance plastics: request a quote or order a sample. You can also simply ask our Faucets experts.

Request a quote
Order a sample
Contact faucet experts

Gain more faucet component innovation insights

  • Improving drinking water safety with sustainable faucet materials

    Drinking water crises are making more consumers aware of the health risks that plumbing parts containing leachable substances pose. As a result, manufacturers of residential water system components, including faucet mixing valves and mixing cartridges, are under pressure to use safe and sustainable materials. As regulators in the EU and U.S. implement increasingly strict water contact safety standards, more manufacturers are turning to engineering thermoplastics, which, in addition to leaching zero lead, can substantially reduce production costs.

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