PES GF30
Reinforced grade
ASTM D5205 · also Ultrason E
GF30 = 30 % glass-fibre reinforced
Highest-stiffness standard grade for load-bearing high-temperature parts and metal replacement.
Values for the GF30 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 datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bearing / lubricated grade | Use for high-temperature dry-running bushings, thrust washers and slide elements. | 70 | 70 | 12 | 84 Shore D |
ESD / conductive compound | Choose for wafer-handling, cleanroom and electronics fixtures needing controlled surface resistivity at high temperature. | 75 | 75 | 8 | 87 Shore D |
Membrane grade | Solution-grade high-molecular-weight PES powder dissolved in NMP/DMAc to cast UF, MF, dialysis and RO support membranes. | 85 | 85 | 60 | 86 Shore D |
10 % glass-fibre reinforced | Light reinforcement when moderate stiffness gain is needed with less warpage than GF30. | — | 105 | 5 | — |
20 % glass-fibre reinforced | Balanced stiffness/toughness grade for structural housings and hot-water manifolds. | — | 125 | 3.5 | 92 HRM |
GF30This page 30 % glass-fibre reinforced | Highest-stiffness standard grade for load-bearing high-temperature parts and metal replacement. | — | 140 | 2.7 | 95 HRM |
40 % glass-fibre reinforced | Maximum stiffness and minimum CTE for precision high-temperature structural mouldings. | — | 155 | 2.2 | — |
30 % carbon-fibre reinforced | Pick when maximum specific stiffness, low CTE and static-dissipative behaviour are required. | — | 175 | 1.6 | — |
What is PES GF30?
PES GF30 is PES in the GF30 grade — highest-stiffness standard grade for load-bearing high-temperature parts and metal replacement. PES GF30 has a yield strength of 84 MPa (12.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) — stronger than 89% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 2.7% and the elastic modulus is 9.5 GPa (1.38 Msi). PES GF30 has a density of 1.6 g/cm³ (0.0578 lb/in³), heavier than 92% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 225°C (437 °F).
Advantages
- Stiff — 9.5 GPa (1.38 Msi), better than 94% of polymer grades
- Low, predictable mold shrinkage — 0.2%, better than 94% 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
- Conducts heat well — 0.27 W/m·K (0.156 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 78% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Heavy — 1.6 g/cm³ (0.0578 lb/in³), worse than 92% of polymer grades
- Limited ductility — 2.7%, worse than 86% 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 GF30 properties
Typical room-temperature values for PES GF30; 16 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 GF30 has a density of 1.6 g/cm³ (0.0578 lb/in³), heavier than 92% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 225°C (437 °F).
Mechanical17
PES GF30 has a yield strength of 84 MPa (12.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) — stronger than 89% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 2.7% and the elastic modulus is 9.5 GPa (1.38 Msi).
Thermal11
PES GF30 is rated for continuous service to 180°C (356 °F). It conducts heat at 0.27 W/m·K (0.156 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 78% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 24 µm/m·K (13.3 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
PES GF30 is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 16 kV/mm (406.4 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (80/100), worse than 52% of polymer grades. UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PES GF30 takes about 145 MJ of energy and emits 8 kg of CO₂ — more than 83% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability8
PES GF30's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 78% of polymer grades); weldability good (55/100); formability good (55/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with PES GF30
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.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| glass fiber0 in default grade; 10–40 % in GF variants | 0 – 40 | 0 |
| carbon fiberCF and ESD variants only | 0 – 30 | 0 |
| PTFE / graphite lubricantbearing grades only | 0 – 20 | 0 |
| poly(oxy-1,4-phenylenesulfonyl-1,4-phenyAmorphous polyarylethersulfone, typically from bisphenol S / 4,4'-dichlorodiphenyl sulfone polycondensation; unfilled grade | balance | — |
PES GF30 — frequently asked
What is PES GF30 used for?
PES GF30 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 GF30?
PES GF30 has a typical yield strength of 84 MPa (12.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) — stronger than 89% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is PES GF30 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 GF30 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (55/100). 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 GF30?
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 GF30 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 GF30?
PES GF30 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
- Ultrason E (PES) product brochure and processing guide — BASF (2023)
- Veradel PESU / Radel resins design guide — Solvay Specialty Polymers (2022)
- Sumikaexcel PES technical data — Sumitomo Chemical (2021)
- TECASON E (PESU) stock shape datasheet — Ensinger (2023)
- CAMPUS plastics database, PESU entries (ISO 10350 sets) — CWFG / CAMPUS consortium (2024)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 2: Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
- 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.