PAS GF20
Reinforced grade
ISO 1043 PAS
GF20 = 20 % glass-fibre reinforced
Balanced stiffness/creep resistance for structural brackets and hot-fluid components.
Values for the GF20 condition
Other PAS grades and fills
PAS is listed in 10 conditions; see the grade overview at PAS.
Compare all 10 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PTFE / graphite lubricated bearing grade | Internally lubricated compound (often PTFE + glass or carbon) for dry-running bushings, seals and wear pads at elevated temperature. | — | 68 | 4 | 86 Shore D |
Polysulfone | Lowest-cost, best-flow sulfone; pick for transparent sterilisable housings and food/dairy contact parts up to ~150 °C. | 70 | 70 | 60 | — |
Polyphenylsulfone | Toughest and most steam/hydrolysis resistant sulfone; pick for repeatedly autoclaved medical trays, baby bottles and hot-water plumbing fittings. | 70 | 70 | 70 | — |
Flame retardant, UL 94 V-0 rated | Certified V-0 (often 5VA) compound for aircraft interiors, rail and electrical enclosures with low smoke and heat release. | 72 | 75 | 30 | 85 Shore D |
ESD / static-dissipative compound | Carbon-black or carbon-fibre modified compound with controlled surface resistivity for electronics and cleanroom tooling. | — | 72 | 8 | 86 Shore D |
Polyethersulfone | Highest Tg and stiffness of the family with inherent V-0; pick for 180 °C continuous service, membranes and electrical insulation. | 85 | 88 | 35 | — |
10 % glass-fibre reinforced | Mild stiffening and shrinkage control while keeping usable ductility; for thin-wall housings and connectors. | — | 92 | 6 | — |
GF20This page 20 % glass-fibre reinforced | Balanced stiffness/creep resistance for structural brackets and hot-fluid components. | — | 115 | 3.5 | — |
30 % glass-fibre reinforced | Maximum stiffness and dimensional stability grade; pick for load-bearing high-temperature parts where opacity and lower toughness are acceptable. | 140 | 140 | 2.5 | — |
30 % carbon-fibre reinforced | Highest specific stiffness plus static-dissipative behaviour; for lightweight structural and semiconductor handling parts. | — | 165 | 2 | — |
What is PAS GF20?
PAS GF20 is PAS in the GF20 grade — balanced stiffness/creep resistance for structural brackets and hot-fluid components. PAS GF20 has a yield strength of 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 115 MPa (16.7 ksi) — stronger than 84% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 3.5% and the elastic modulus is 6.5 GPa (0.943 Msi). PAS GF20 has a density of 1.44 g/cm³ (0.052 lb/in³), heavier than 85% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 210°C (410 °F).
Advantages
- Stiff — 6.5 GPa (0.943 Msi), better than 90% of polymer grades
- Low, predictable mold shrinkage — 0.3%, better than 90% of polymer grades
- High strength — 75 MPa (10.9 ksi), better than 84% of polymer grades
- High service temperature — 170°C (338 °F), better than 83% of polymer grades
- Readily welded — 72/100, better than 80% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Heavy — 1.44 g/cm³ (0.052 lb/in³), worse than 85% of polymer grades
- High embodied carbon — 8 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 83% of polymer grades
- Limited ductility — 3.5%, worse than 79% of polymer grades
PAS GF20 properties
Typical room-temperature values for PAS GF20; 11 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are PAS reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical6
PAS GF20 has a density of 1.44 g/cm³ (0.052 lb/in³), heavier than 85% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 210°C (410 °F).
Mechanical17
PAS GF20 has a yield strength of 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 115 MPa (16.7 ksi) — stronger than 84% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 3.5% and the elastic modulus is 6.5 GPa (0.943 Msi).
Thermal11
PAS GF20 is rated for continuous service to 170°C (338 °F). It conducts heat at 0.22 W/m·K (0.127 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 60% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 30 µm/m·K (16.7 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
PAS GF20 is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 17 kV/mm (431.8 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (85/100), better than 65% of polymer grades. UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PAS GF20 takes about 145 MJ of energy and emits 8 kg of CO₂ — more than 83% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability8
PAS GF20's machinability is fair (50/100, worse than 73% of polymer grades); weldability very good (72/100); formability good (60/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with PAS GF20
Is PAS easy to machine?
Machines cleanly with sharp carbide tools, high speed and light feeds; use air or water mist rather than solvent-bearing coolants and anneal stock shapes to avoid stress cracking and crazing.
Can PAS be welded?
Ultrasonic, hot-plate, laser and hot-gas welding all work well; solvent bonding possible with strong solvents but adds crazing risk — mechanical joints need generous radii due to notch sensitivity.
Can PAS be formed, bent or molded?
Dry resin to <0.05 % moisture, inject at 340–390 °C with 120–170 °C molds and generous gates/vents; extruded sheet thermoforms readily around 230–260 °C.
What surface finishes work on PAS?
Takes vapour polishing, paint and metallisation with primer; unstabilised parts should be painted or UV-stabilised for outdoor use as they yellow and lose surface toughness.
PAS chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) |
|---|---|
| bisphenol-A ether segmentpresent in PSU (polysulfone) chemistry | — |
| diphenyl ether segmentpresent in PESU (polyethersulfone) chemistry | — |
| biphenyl segmentpresent in PPSU (polyphenylsulfone) chemistry | — |
| glass fiber0–40 % in reinforced compounds | ≈ 0 |
| carbon fiber0–30 % in CF compounds | ≈ 0 |
| PTFE / graphite lubricantup to ~20 % in bearing grades | ≈ 0 |
| aromatic diaryl sulfone repeat unit (–Arbackbone linkage common to PSU, PESU and PPSU | balance |
PAS GF20 — frequently asked
What is PAS GF20 used for?
PAS GF20 is typically used for high-temperature structural parts, specialty electrical insulation, chemical-resistant components and aerospace and medical parts where any sulfone grade is acceptable. In short: umbrella sulfone designation; specify subtype for design; machinable high-heat thermoplastic.
What is the yield strength of PAS GF20?
PAS GF20 has a typical yield strength of 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 115 MPa (16.7 ksi) — stronger than 84% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 10 listed tempers.
Is PAS GF20 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (50/100, worse than 73% of polymer grades). Machines cleanly with sharp carbide tools, high speed and light feeds; use air or water mist rather than solvent-bearing coolants and anneal stock shapes to avoid stress cracking and crazing.
Can PAS GF20 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (72/100). Ultrasonic, hot-plate, laser and hot-gas welding all work well; solvent bonding possible with strong solvents but adds crazing risk — mechanical joints need generous radii due to notch sensitivity.
What surface finishes work on PAS GF20?
Takes vapour polishing, paint and metallisation with primer; unstabilised parts should be painted or UV-stabilised for outdoor use as they yellow and lose surface toughness.
Can PAS GF20 be formed, bent or molded?
Dry resin to <0.05 % moisture, inject at 340–390 °C with 120–170 °C molds and generous gates/vents; extruded sheet thermoforms readily around 230–260 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of PAS GF20?
PAS GF20 is rated for continuous use to about 170°C (338 °F), and briefly to 210°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- ISO 1043-1 Plastics — Symbols and abbreviated terms — ISO (2011)
- ASTM D6394 Standard Specification for Sulfone Plastics (SP) — ASTM (2022)
- Udel PSU / Veradel PESU / Radel PPSU design guides — Solvay Specialty Polymers (2023)
- Ultrason E / S / P product brochure — BASF (2022)
- TECASON S / E / P stock shape data — Ensinger (2023)
- CAMPUS plastics database — sulfone polymer datasheets — CWFG/CAMPUS (2024)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 2: Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
- PSU/PES/PPSU (2026)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.