PBT ESD (ESD / conductive)
Grade
also Crastin, Pocan
Use for static-dissipative fixtures, fuel-system and electronics handling parts requiring 10^4–10^9 Ω surface resistivity.
Values for the ESD condition
Other PBT grades and fills
PBT is listed in 10 conditions; see the grade overview at PBT.
Compare all 10 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Impact modified | Use where notch sensitivity or cold (-30 °C) impact is the failure mode — snap fits, exterior clips, mirror housings. | — | 42 | 200 | — |
PTFE/silicone lubricated bearing grade | Choose for sliding gears, cams and bushings needing low friction and wear without external lubrication. | 48 | 48 | 20 | 78 Shore D |
Flame retardant, UL 94 V-0 | Choose for electrical housings, relay bases and connectors that must carry a UL 94 V-0 listing at 0.8–1.5 mm wall. | — | 52 | 8 | — |
Heat stabilized | Pick for automotive electrical parts that must survive thousands of hours at 130–150 °C without embrittlement. | 55 | 55 | 80 | 82 Shore D |
ESDThis page ESD / conductive | Use for static-dissipative fixtures, fuel-system and electronics handling parts requiring 10^4–10^9 Ω surface resistivity. | 60 | 60 | 5 | 84 Shore D |
Mineral / glass-mineral filled, low warpage | Choose for flat, dimensionally accurate covers and lids where isotropic shrinkage and good surface beat maximum strength. | — | 85 | 3 | — |
15% short glass fiber reinforced | Mid-way grade when you need roughly double the stiffness and 200 °C HDT but want lower warpage and better surface than GF30. | — | 95 | 3.5 | 85 HRM |
30% glass fiber, UL 94 V-0 | Standard for connectors, coil bobbins and switchgear needing both V-0 and >200 °C HDT with high stiffness. | — | 125 | 2.2 | — |
30% short glass fiber reinforced | The workhorse structural PBT: choose for stiff, creep-resistant, heat-resistant parts (connectors, housings, brackets) where warpage can be managed by gating. | — | 135 | 2.8 | 90 HRM |
40% short glass fiber reinforced | Maximum stiffness/strength PBT for metal-replacement structural parts; accept higher warpage, brittleness and tool wear. | — | 155 | 2.3 | — |
What is PBT ESD?
PBT ESD is PBT in the ESD grade — use for static-dissipative fixtures, fuel-system and electronics handling parts requiring 10^4–10^9 Ω surface resistivity. PBT ESD has a yield strength of 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) — stronger than 69% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 3.4 GPa (0.493 Msi). PBT ESD has a density of 1.35 g/cm³ (0.0488 lb/in³), heavier than 75% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 55°C (131 °F).
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 0.3 W/m·K (0.173 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 83% of polymer grades
- Stiff — 3.4 GPa (0.493 Msi), better than 82% of polymer grades
- Low moisture uptake — 0.09%, better than 79% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Heavy — 1.35 g/cm³ (0.0488 lb/in³), worse than 75% of polymer grades
PBT ESD properties
Typical room-temperature values for PBT ESD; 29 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are PBT reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical5
PBT ESD has a density of 1.35 g/cm³ (0.0488 lb/in³), heavier than 75% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 55°C (131 °F).
Mechanical17
PBT ESD has a yield strength of 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) — stronger than 69% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 3.4 GPa (0.493 Msi).
Thermal11
PBT ESD is rated for continuous service to 110°C (230 °F). It conducts heat at 0.3 W/m·K (0.173 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 83% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 80 µm/m·K (44.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
PBT ESD is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 23 kV/mm (584.2 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1,000 Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (80/100), worse than 52% of polymer grades. UV resistance is fair.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PBT ESD takes about 105 MJ of energy and emits 5 kg of CO₂ — more than 54% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.
Manufacturability8
PBT ESD's machinability is good (66/100, better than 70% of polymer grades); weldability good (55/100); formability poor (22/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with PBT ESD
Is PBT easy to machine?
Machines cleanly with sharp, positive-rake carbide tools and air cooling; glass-filled grades are abrasive and need diamond or coated tooling, and sharp internal corners must be avoided due to notch sensitivity.
Can PBT be welded?
Excellent for ultrasonic, hot-plate, vibration, spin and laser welding (with laser-transparent/absorbing pairs); no solvent bonding — use cyanoacrylate/epoxy on abraded, primed surfaces.
Can PBT be formed, bent or molded?
Dry to <0.02% moisture (120 °C, 3–4 h) to prevent hydrolytic MW loss; mold at 240–260 °C melt and 60–90 °C tool, fast fill, and expect anisotropic shrinkage in GF grades — gate to control warp.
What surface finishes work on PBT?
Takes pad printing and laser marking well; painting/metallizing needs plasma or primer pretreatment because of the low-energy, solvent-resistant surface; molded-in texture is usually preferred over polishing.
PBT 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. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| 1,4-butanediol (BDO) unitdiol comonomer of the polyester backbone | ≈ 40 | 40 |
| glass fiber0 for unfilled default; 15/30/40 wt% in GF variants | 0 – 40 | 0 |
| flame retardant + synergistbrominated or halogen-free P-based system + Sb2O3 in FR V-0 grades | 0 – 20 | 0 |
| stabilizers / nucleant / pigmentantioxidant, hydrolysis stabilizer, mold release, carbon black | 0.2 – 2 | 0.8 |
| terephthalic acid / DMT unitdiacid comonomer; balance of resin | balance | — |
PBT ESD — frequently asked
What is PBT ESD used for?
PBT ESD is typically used for automotive electrical connectors, relay and switch housings, coil bobbins and formers, automotive electronic control unit housings, appliance structural components and sensor bodies. In short: stronger precise PBT.
What is the yield strength of PBT ESD?
PBT ESD has a typical yield strength of 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) — stronger than 69% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 10 listed tempers.
Is PBT ESD easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (66/100, better than 70% of polymer grades). Machines cleanly with sharp, positive-rake carbide tools and air cooling; glass-filled grades are abrasive and need diamond or coated tooling, and sharp internal corners must be avoided due to notch sensitivity.
Can PBT ESD be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (55/100). Excellent for ultrasonic, hot-plate, vibration, spin and laser welding (with laser-transparent/absorbing pairs); no solvent bonding — use cyanoacrylate/epoxy on abraded, primed surfaces.
What surface finishes work on PBT ESD?
Takes pad printing and laser marking well; painting/metallizing needs plasma or primer pretreatment because of the low-energy, solvent-resistant surface; molded-in texture is usually preferred over polishing.
Can PBT ESD be formed, bent or molded?
Dry to <0.02% moisture (120 °C, 3–4 h) to prevent hydrolytic MW loss; mold at 240–260 °C melt and 60–90 °C tool, fast fill, and expect anisotropic shrinkage in GF grades — gate to control warp.
What is the maximum service temperature of PBT ESD?
PBT ESD is rated for continuous use to about 110°C (230 °F), and briefly to 160°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in PBT ESD?
Yes — PBT ESD is available for injection molding with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ISO 7792-1/-2 Plastics — Thermoplastic polyester (TP) moulding and extrusion materials — ISO (2012)
- ASTM D5927 Standard Specification for Thermoplastic Polyester (TPES) Injection and Extrusion Materials — ASTM (2020)
- Ultradur (PBT) product range brochure and CAMPUS data — BASF (2023)
- Crastin PBT thermoplastic polyester resin product guide — Celanese (DuPont Performance Materials) (2023)
- Valox resin product data / processing guide — SABIC (2022)
- Pocan PBT technical information — LANXESS (2023)
- CAMPUS plastics database — PBT ISO 10350 single-point data — CWFG (2024)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 2: Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
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.