PESU GF20
Reinforced grade
ISO 1043 PES · also Ultrason E, Sumikaexcel
GF20 = 20% glass-fiber reinforced
Mid-level stiffness/creep upgrade for structural housings and connectors.
Values for the GF20 condition
Other PESU grades and fills
PESU is listed in 8 conditions; see the grade overview at PESU.
Compare all 8 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bearing grade | Internally lubricated compound for high-temperature bushings, seal rings and wear pads. | 60 | 62 | 8 | 85 Shore D |
ESD / static-dissipative compound | Carbon-black or carbon-fiber loaded compound for wafer handling and electronics fixtures needing 10^4–10^9 Ω surface. | 78 | 80 | 5 | 88 Shore D |
Membrane grade resin/powder | High-purity, narrow-MW resin dissolved in NMP/DMAc for phase-inversion UF, MF and hemodialysis membranes. | 84 | 85 | 40 | 87 Shore D |
10% glass-fiber reinforced | Light reinforcement when moderate stiffness gain is needed with retained toughness. | — | 100 | 5 | — |
GF20This page 20% glass-fiber reinforced | Mid-level stiffness/creep upgrade for structural housings and connectors. | — | 125 | 3 | — |
30% glass-fiber reinforced | Workhorse reinforced grade for aircraft interior brackets, high-temperature structural and electrical parts. | — | 150 | 2.5 | 92 HRM |
40% glass-fiber reinforced | Maximum stiffness and lowest CTE glass grade for load-bearing high-temperature components. | — | 165 | 1.8 | — |
30% carbon-fiber reinforced | Choose for maximum specific stiffness, low CTE and static-dissipative behaviour in hot service. | — | 190 | 1.5 | — |
What is PESU GF20?
PESU GF20 is PESU in the GF20 grade — mid-level stiffness/creep upgrade for structural housings and connectors. PESU GF20 has a yield strength of 84 MPa (12.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 125 MPa (18.1 ksi) — stronger than 89% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 7 GPa (1.02 Msi). PESU GF20 has a density of 1.51 g/cm³ (0.0546 lb/in³), heavier than 88% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 225°C (437 °F).
Advantages
- Stiff — 7 GPa (1.02 Msi), better than 90% of polymer grades
- Low, predictable mold shrinkage — 0.3%, better than 90% of polymer grades
- High strength — 84 MPa (12.2 ksi), better than 89% of polymer grades
- High service temperature — 190°C (374 °F), better than 86% of polymer grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 75/100, better than 86% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Heavy — 1.51 g/cm³ (0.0546 lb/in³), worse than 88% of polymer grades
- Limited ductility — 3%, worse than 83% of polymer grades
- High embodied carbon — 8 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 83% of polymer grades
- Degrades in UV without stabilisers — 25/100, worse than 76% of polymer grades
- Difficult to machine — 48/100, worse than 75% of polymer grades
PESU GF20 properties
Typical room-temperature values for PESU GF20; 13 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are PESU reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical6
PESU GF20 has a density of 1.51 g/cm³ (0.0546 lb/in³), heavier than 88% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 225°C (437 °F).
Mechanical17
PESU GF20 has a yield strength of 84 MPa (12.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 125 MPa (18.1 ksi) — stronger than 89% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 7 GPa (1.02 Msi).
Thermal11
PESU GF20 is rated for continuous service to 190°C (374 °F). It conducts heat at 0.25 W/m·K (0.144 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 72% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 28 µm/m·K (15.6 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
PESU GF20 is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 17 kV/mm (431.8 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹⁵ 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 PESU GF20 takes about 150 MJ of energy and emits 8 kg of CO₂ — more than 84% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability8
PESU GF20's machinability is fair (48/100, worse than 75% 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 PESU GF20
Is PESU easy to machine?
Machines cleanly with sharp carbide tools, positive rake and generous air/mist cooling; avoid cutting fluids containing ketones/esters and stress-relieve annealed blanks (~180 °C) before finish cuts to prevent crazing.
Can PESU be welded?
Joinable by ultrasonic, hot-plate, IR and vibration welding as well as solvent bonding (NMP/DMAc) and high-temperature epoxy adhesives; parts must be dried first or weld porosity occurs.
Can PESU be formed, bent or molded?
Inject at 340–380 °C melt with 140–180 °C mold; resin must be dried 3–4 h at 150 °C to <0.02 % moisture. Sheet thermoforms above ~230 °C; high melt viscosity requires generous gates and runners.
What surface finishes work on PESU?
Amber transparent surface polishes well and accepts vacuum metallizing, hard coats and pad printing; UV-stabilizing pigment or coating is required for outdoor exposure to limit yellowing.
PESU 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 unfilled grade; 10–40 wt% in GF variants | 0 – 40 | 0 |
| carbon fiberCF reinforced compounds only | 0 – 30 | 0 |
| PTFE / graphite lubricantbearing grades only | 0 – 20 | 0 |
| polyethersulfone repeat unit (–C6H4–SO2–amorphous polyarylethersulfone from 4,4'-dichlorodiphenyl sulfone + bisphenol S salt; ISO 1043 code PES/PESU | balance | — |
PESU GF20 — frequently asked
What is PESU GF20 used for?
PESU GF20 is typically used for aircraft interior components, microwave cookware, gas separation membranes, electrical insulation and medical sterilization trays. In short: highest-heat sulfone after PPSU; inherently flame retardant; machinable transparent high-temp resin.
What is the yield strength of PESU GF20?
PESU GF20 has a typical yield strength of 84 MPa (12.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 125 MPa (18.1 ksi) — stronger than 89% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is PESU GF20 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (48/100, worse than 75% of polymer grades). Machines cleanly with sharp carbide tools, positive rake and generous air/mist cooling; avoid cutting fluids containing ketones/esters and stress-relieve annealed blanks (~180 °C) before finish cuts to prevent crazing.
Can PESU GF20 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). Joinable by ultrasonic, hot-plate, IR and vibration welding as well as solvent bonding (NMP/DMAc) and high-temperature epoxy adhesives; parts must be dried first or weld porosity occurs.
What surface finishes work on PESU GF20?
Amber transparent surface polishes well and accepts vacuum metallizing, hard coats and pad printing; UV-stabilizing pigment or coating is required for outdoor exposure to limit yellowing.
Can PESU GF20 be formed, bent or molded?
Inject at 340–380 °C melt with 140–180 °C mold; resin must be dried 3–4 h at 150 °C to <0.02 % moisture. Sheet thermoforms above ~230 °C; high melt viscosity requires generous gates and runners.
What is the maximum service temperature of PESU GF20?
PESU GF20 is rated for continuous use to about 190°C (374 °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 (PESU) product line and processing guide — BASF (2023)
- Sumikaexcel PES grade data — Sumitomo Chemical (2022)
- TECASON E stock shape datasheet — Ensinger (2023)
- CAMPUS plastics database — PESU ISO 10350 datasets — CWFG / CAMPUS consortium (2024)
- ISO 1043-1 Plastics — Symbols and abbreviated terms — ISO (2011)
- ISO 527 / ISO 75 / ISO 306 test methods — ISO (2019)
- Engineering Plastics — Engineered Materials Handbook Vol.2 — 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.