PES GF40
Reinforced grade
ASTM D5205 · also Ultrason E
GF40 = 40 % glass-fibre reinforced
Maximum stiffness and minimum CTE for precision high-temperature structural mouldings.
Values for the GF40 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 |
30 % glass-fibre reinforced | Highest-stiffness standard grade for load-bearing high-temperature parts and metal replacement. | — | 140 | 2.7 | 95 HRM |
GF40This page 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 GF40?
PES GF40 is PES in the GF40 grade — maximum stiffness and minimum CTE for precision high-temperature structural mouldings. PES GF40 has a yield strength of 84 MPa (12.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 155 MPa (22.5 ksi) — stronger than 89% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 2.2% and the elastic modulus is 12.5 GPa (1.81 Msi). PES GF40 has a density of 1.7 g/cm³ (0.0614 lb/in³), heavier than 95% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 225°C (437 °F).
Advantages
- Stiff — 12.5 GPa (1.81 Msi), better than 98% 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
- Polishes to a fine finish — 70/100, better than 77% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Heavy — 1.7 g/cm³ (0.0614 lb/in³), worse than 95% of polymer grades
- Limited ductility — 2.2%, worse than 92% of polymer grades
- High embodied carbon — 8 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 83% of polymer grades
- Difficult to machine — 40/100, worse than 82% of polymer grades
- Degrades in UV without stabilisers — 25/100, worse than 76% of polymer grades
PES GF40 properties
Typical room-temperature values for PES GF40; 11 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 GF40 has a density of 1.7 g/cm³ (0.0614 lb/in³), heavier than 95% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 225°C (437 °F).
Mechanical17
PES GF40 has a yield strength of 84 MPa (12.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 155 MPa (22.5 ksi) — stronger than 89% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 2.2% and the elastic modulus is 12.5 GPa (1.81 Msi).
Thermal11
PES GF40 is rated for continuous service to 180°C (356 °F). It conducts heat at 0.18 W/m·K (0.104 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 73% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 20 µm/m·K (11.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
PES GF40 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 GF40 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 GF40's machinability is fair (40/100, worse than 82% of polymer grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability good (55/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with PES GF40
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 GF40 — frequently asked
What is PES GF40 used for?
PES GF40 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 GF40?
PES GF40 has a typical yield strength of 84 MPa (12.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 155 MPa (22.5 ksi) — stronger than 89% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is PES GF40 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (40/100, worse than 82% 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 GF40 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 GF40?
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 GF40 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 GF40?
PES GF40 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.