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PES CF30

Reinforced grade

ASTM D5205 · also Ultrason E

CF30 = 30 % carbon-fibre reinforced

Pick when maximum specific stiffness, low CTE and static-dissipative behaviour are required.

High cost $$$$

Values for the CF30 condition

Other PES grades and fills

PES is listed in 8 conditions; see the grade overview at PES.

Compare all 8 grades and fillsHide
Grade · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %Hardness
Bearing / lubricated grade
Use for high-temperature dry-running bushings, thrust washers and slide elements.70701284 Shore D
ESD / conductive compound
Choose for wafer-handling, cleanroom and electronics fixtures needing controlled surface resistivity at high temperature.7575887 Shore D
Membrane grade
Solution-grade high-molecular-weight PES powder dissolved in NMP/DMAc to cast UF, MF, dialysis and RO support membranes.85856086 Shore D
10 % glass-fibre reinforced
Light reinforcement when moderate stiffness gain is needed with less warpage than GF30.—1055—
20 % glass-fibre reinforced
Balanced stiffness/toughness grade for structural housings and hot-water manifolds.—1253.592 HRM
30 % glass-fibre reinforced
Highest-stiffness standard grade for load-bearing high-temperature parts and metal replacement.—1402.795 HRM
40 % glass-fibre reinforced
Maximum stiffness and minimum CTE for precision high-temperature structural mouldings.—1552.2—
CF30This page
30 % carbon-fibre reinforced
Pick when maximum specific stiffness, low CTE and static-dissipative behaviour are required.—1751.6—

What is PES CF30?

PES CF30 is PES in the CF30 grade — pick when maximum specific stiffness, low CTE and static-dissipative behaviour are required. PES CF30 has a yield strength of 84 MPa (12.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 175 MPa (25.4 ksi) — stronger than 89% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 1.6% and the elastic modulus is 19 GPa (2.76 Msi). PES CF30 has a density of 1.5 g/cm³ (0.0542 lb/in³), heavier than 88% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 225°C (437 °F).

Advantages

  • Stiff — 19 GPa (2.76 Msi), better than 100% of polymer grades
  • Conducts heat well — 0.7 W/m·K (0.404 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 99% of polymer grades
  • Low, predictable mold shrinkage — 0.15%, better than 97% of polymer grades
  • High strength — 84 MPa (12.2 ksi), better than 89% of polymer grades
  • High service temperature — 180°C (356 °F), better than 85% of polymer grades

Limitations

  • Limited ductility — 1.6%, worse than 97% of polymer grades
  • Heavy — 1.5 g/cm³ (0.0542 lb/in³), worse than 88% of polymer grades
  • High embodied carbon — 8 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 83% of polymer grades
  • Difficult to machine — 45/100, worse than 78% of polymer grades
  • Degrades in UV without stabilisers — 25/100, worse than 76% of polymer grades

PES CF30 properties

Typical room-temperature values for PES CF30; 13 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are PES reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.

Physical6

PES CF30 has a density of 1.5 g/cm³ (0.0542 lb/in³), heavier than 88% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 225°C (437 °F).

Density1.5 g/cm³0.05 lb/in³
Glass Transition (Tg)225°C437 °F
Water Absorption (24 h)0.43%
Water Absorption (Saturation)2.1%
Refractive Index1.65
Light Transmission72%

Mechanical17

PES CF30 has a yield strength of 84 MPa (12.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 175 MPa (25.4 ksi) — stronger than 89% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 1.6% and the elastic modulus is 19 GPa (2.76 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus19 GPa2.8 Msi
Shear Modulus0.95 GPa0.14 Msi
Bulk Modulus4 GPa0.62 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.4
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)175 MPa25.4 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)84 MPa12.2 ksi
Elongation at Break1.6%
Compressive Strength100 MPa14.5 ksi
Compressive Modulus2.6 GPa0.38 Msi
Flexural Strength245 MPa35.5 ksi
Flexural Modulus17 GPa2.5 Msi
Shear Strength62 MPa9 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)2.6 MPa·√m2.4 ksi·√in
Izod Impact, Notched65 J/m1.2 ft·lbf/in
Hardness, Shore D86 Shore D
Hardness, Rockwell M88 HRM
Hardness, Rockwell R122 HRR

Thermal11

PES CF30 is rated for continuous service to 180°C (356 °F). It conducts heat at 0.7 W/m·K (0.404 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 99% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 14 µm/m·K (7.78 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity0.7 W/m·K0.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity1,100 J/kg·K0.26 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)14 µm/m·K7.8 µin/in·°F
Max Service Temperature (continuous)180°C356 °F
Min Service Temperature-100°C-148 °F
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa212°C414 °F
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa218°C424 °F
Vicat Softening Point (B50)222°C432 °F
Flammability (UL 94)V-0 from about 0.8 mm without flame retardant additives; some grades rated 5VA in thicker sections
Limiting Oxygen Index38%
Max Service Temperature (short-term)220°C428 °F

Electrical7

PES CF30 is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 16 kV/mm (406.4 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m.

Electrical Resistivity1×10¹⁴ Ω·m3.94×10²¹ µΩ·in
Dielectric Strength16 kV/mm406 V/mil
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)3.5
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)0.0035
Volume Resistivity1×10¹⁶ Ω·cm
Surface Resistivity100,000 Ω
Comparative Tracking Index (CTI)150 V

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is very good (80/100), worse than 52% of polymer grades. UV resistance is poor.

Corrosion ResistanceVery good80/100
UV / Weathering ResistancePoor25/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryExcellent to hot water, steam (repeat autoclaving), dilute acids and alkalis, oils, greases, aliphatic hydrocarbons and gamma/e-beam radiation; attacked or dissolved by ketones, esters, DMF/NMP/DMAc, chlorinated solvents and concentrated sulfuric acid; prone to environmental stress cracking under load in polar solvents, so anneal moulded parts.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of PES CF30 takes about 145 MJ of energy and emits 8 kg of CO₂ — more than 83% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)145 MJ/kg62,339 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)8 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content0%

Manufacturability8

PES CF30's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 78% of polymer grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability good (55/100).

MachinabilityFair45/100
WeldabilityVery good70/100
Formability (cold)Good55/100
PolishabilityVery good70/100
Mold Shrinkage0.15%
Melt Flow Rate20 g/10 min
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)360°C680 °F
Mold Temperature (typ.)150°C302 °F

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with PES CF30

Is PES easy to machine?

Machines cleanly with sharp carbide, high speed and light feeds; use air or water-soluble coolant only (avoid chlorinated/ketone fluids) and anneal at ~190 °C before and after heavy cuts to prevent stress cracking.

Can PES be welded?

Joins well by ultrasonic, hot-plate, IR and vibration welding, plus solvent bonding with NMP/DMAc-based cements; glass-filled grades give lower weld-line strength.

Can PES be formed, bent or molded?

Dry to <0.02 % moisture (150 °C, 3–4 h), mould at 340–380 °C melt with 140–180 °C tools, generous gates and slow injection; thermoforming of sheet at 240–280 °C is practical.

What surface finishes work on PES?

Accepts printing, painting and vacuum metallising after plasma or primer treatment; unstabilised parts yellow under UV, so use topcoats or UV-shielding paint for outdoor service.

PES 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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
glass fiber0 in default grade; 10–40 % in GF variants0 – 400
carbon fiberCF and ESD variants only0 – 300
PTFE / graphite lubricantbearing grades only0 – 200
poly(oxy-1,4-phenylenesulfonyl-1,4-phenyAmorphous polyarylethersulfone, typically from bisphenol S / 4,4'-dichlorodiphenyl sulfone polycondensation; unfilled gradebalance—

PES CF30 — frequently asked

What is PES CF30 used for?

PES CF30 is typically used for dialysis and filtration membranes, medical device housings, aircraft cabin parts and electrical insulators. In short: high-Tg transparent sulfone; steam- and radiation-resistant; membrane-casting resin.

What is the yield strength of PES CF30?

PES CF30 has a typical yield strength of 84 MPa (12.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 175 MPa (25.4 ksi) — stronger than 89% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.

Is PES CF30 easy to machine?

Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 78% of polymer grades). Machines cleanly with sharp carbide, high speed and light feeds; use air or water-soluble coolant only (avoid chlorinated/ketone fluids) and anneal at ~190 °C before and after heavy cuts to prevent stress cracking.

Can PES CF30 be welded?

Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). Joins well by ultrasonic, hot-plate, IR and vibration welding, plus solvent bonding with NMP/DMAc-based cements; glass-filled grades give lower weld-line strength.

What surface finishes work on PES CF30?

Accepts printing, painting and vacuum metallising after plasma or primer treatment; unstabilised parts yellow under UV, so use topcoats or UV-shielding paint for outdoor service.

Can PES CF30 be formed, bent or molded?

Dry to <0.02 % moisture (150 °C, 3–4 h), mould at 340–380 °C melt with 140–180 °C tools, generous gates and slow injection; thermoforming of sheet at 240–280 °C is practical.

What is the maximum service temperature of PES CF30?

PES CF30 is rated for continuous use to about 180°C (356 °F), and briefly to 220°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

Sources

  1. Ultrason E (PES) product brochure and processing guide — BASF (2023)
  2. Veradel PESU / Radel resins design guide — Solvay Specialty Polymers (2022)
  3. Sumikaexcel PES technical data — Sumitomo Chemical (2021)
  4. TECASON E (PESU) stock shape datasheet — Ensinger (2023)
  5. CAMPUS plastics database, PESU entries (ISO 10350 sets) — CWFG / CAMPUS consortium (2024)
  6. Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 2: Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
  7. ISO 527 / ISO 75 / ISO 306 / UL 94 test methods — ISO / UL (2020)

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.