PES MEMB
Grade
ASTM D5205 · also Ultrason E
MEMB = membrane grade
Solution-grade high-molecular-weight PES powder dissolved in NMP/DMAc to cast UF, MF, dialysis and RO support membranes.
Values for the MEMB 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 |
MEMBThis page 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 |
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 MEMB?
PES MEMB is PES in the MEMB grade — solution-grade high-molecular-weight PES powder dissolved in NMP/DMAc to cast UF, MF, dialysis and RO support membranes. PES MEMB has a yield strength of 85 MPa (12.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 85 MPa (12.3 ksi) — stronger than 90% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 60% and the elastic modulus is 2.6 GPa (0.377 Msi). PES MEMB has a density of 1.37 g/cm³ (0.0495 lb/in³), heavier than 76% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 226°C (439 °F).
Advantages
- High strength — 85 MPa (12.3 ksi), better than 90% 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
- High embodied carbon — 8 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 83% of polymer grades
- Heavy — 1.37 g/cm³ (0.0495 lb/in³), worse than 76% of polymer grades
- Degrades in UV without stabilisers — 25/100, worse than 76% of polymer grades
PES MEMB properties
Typical room-temperature values for PES MEMB; 28 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 MEMB has a density of 1.37 g/cm³ (0.0495 lb/in³), heavier than 76% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 226°C (439 °F).
Mechanical17
PES MEMB has a yield strength of 85 MPa (12.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 85 MPa (12.3 ksi) — stronger than 90% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 60% and the elastic modulus is 2.6 GPa (0.377 Msi).
Thermal11
PES MEMB 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 55 µm/m·K (30.6 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
PES MEMB 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 excellent (85/100), better than 65% of polymer grades. UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PES MEMB 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 MEMB's machinability is good (65/100, better than 66% of polymer grades); weldability fair (40/100); formability fair (35/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with PES MEMB
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 MEMB — frequently asked
What is PES MEMB used for?
PES MEMB 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 MEMB?
PES MEMB has a typical yield strength of 85 MPa (12.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 85 MPa (12.3 ksi) — stronger than 90% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is PES MEMB easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (65/100, better than 66% 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 MEMB be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (40/100). 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 MEMB?
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 MEMB 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 MEMB?
PES MEMB 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.