PPE/PPO
ISO PPE · also Noryl, Vestoran
An amorphous engineering thermoplastic with excellent dimensional stability, low water absorption, and good electrical/dielectric properties over a wide temperature range; usually sold blended with polystyrene (as Noryl) to improve processability and reduce cost.
Reference datasheet — PPE/PPO is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
PPE/PPO grades and fills
PPE/PPO is supplied in 9 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 9 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Impact-modified (high-flow toughened) modified PPO | For large thin-wall housings and automotive interior parts needing ductility and easy filling rather than heat resistance. | 45 | 60 | 112 HRR | |
non-halogen flame-retardant modified PPO | Choose for photovoltaic junction boxes, EV connectors, breakers and battery parts needing UL 94 V-0 without halogens. | 55 | 25 | ||
Mineral/talc-filled modified PPO | Low-warpage, isotropic-shrinkage grade for flat cosmetic panels and metal-plated decorative parts. | 55 | 12 | ||
UV-stabilized / weatherable modified PPO | Use for outdoor enclosures, PV components and water-meter housings where unstabilized PPO would chalk and yellow. | 56 | 58 | 40 | 79 Shore D |
ESD / conductive | For electronics trays, chip carriers and fuel-system parts needing static dissipation with PPO's dimensional stability. | 60 | 8 | ||
High-heat grade | Pick when continuous service above 120 °C or lead-free soldering/steam exposure is required; harder to mold (higher melt temperature). | 68 | 30 | ||
20% glass-fiber reinforced modified PPO | Intermediate stiffness/heat step when GF30 would be too brittle or too warp-prone. | 95 | 4 | ||
30% glass-fiber reinforced modified PPO | Standard structural grade: roughly triple the stiffness and ~25 °C higher HDT with much reduced CTE, at the cost of notched impact and surface finish. | 115 | 3.5 | 90 HRM | |
40% glass-fiber reinforced modified PPO | Maximum stiffness/lowest CTE PPO compound for load-bearing brackets and precision frames; brittle and abrasive to tooling. | 130 | 2.5 | 93 HRM |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways PPE/PPO is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
UnfilledDefault | Modified PPO/PS blend, natural | Standard supply |
What is PPE/PPO?
An amorphous engineering thermoplastic with excellent dimensional stability, low water absorption, and good electrical/dielectric properties over a wide temperature range; usually sold blended with polystyrene (as Noryl) to improve processability and reduce cost. PPE/PPO has a density of 1.06 g/cm³ (0.0383 lb/in³), lighter than 68% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 150°C (302 °F). PPE/PPO has a yield strength of 58 MPa (8.41 ksi) and a tensile strength of 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) — stronger than 66% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 50% and the elastic modulus is 2.5 GPa (0.363 Msi).
What is PPE/PPO used for?
- electrical enclosures and connectors
- automotive instrument panels and HVAC housings
- water pump and plumbing components (hot water resistance)
- appliance housings
- medical device housings
Advantages
- Low moisture uptake — 0.07%, better than 81% of polymer grades
PPE/PPO properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical4
PPE/PPO has a density of 1.06 g/cm³ (0.0383 lb/in³), lighter than 68% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 150°C (302 °F).
Mechanical14
PPE/PPO has a yield strength of 58 MPa (8.41 ksi) and a tensile strength of 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) — stronger than 66% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 50% and the elastic modulus is 2.5 GPa (0.363 Msi).
Thermal11
PPE/PPO is rated for continuous service to 100°C (212 °F). It conducts heat at 0.22 W/m·K (0.127 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 60% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 65 µm/m·K (36.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
PPE/PPO is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 20 kV/mm (508 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 fair.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PPE/PPO takes about 100 MJ of energy and emits 5 kg of CO₂ — less than 61% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 10%.
Manufacturability8
PPE/PPO's machinability is good (65/100, better than 66% of polymer grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability good (55/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the polymer family
Yield strength against density for every polymer grade FabDigit runs. PPE/PPO is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with PPE/PPO
Is PPE/PPO easy to machine?
Machines easily with sharp tools, high rake and air/water-mist cooling; avoid solvent-based cutting fluids (ketones/aromatics) which cause stress cracking, and annealing after heavy cuts relieves residual stress.
Can PPE/PPO be welded?
Excellent for ultrasonic, hot-plate, spin and vibration welding; solvent bonding and adhesive bonding also work but choose non-aggressive solvents; glass-filled grades weld at reduced strength.
Can PPE/PPO be formed, bent or molded?
Dry 2–4 h at 100–110 °C, mold at 260–310 °C melt / 70–110 °C tool with generous gates and moderate injection speed; predryable, low-shrink (0.5–0.7 %) and nearly moisture-insensitive, sheet thermoforms well above Tg.
PPE/PPO 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 |
|---|---|---|
| poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) (PPE resin content of the blend; higher PPE = higher HDT, harder to process | 30 – 70 | 50 |
| stabilizers, pigments, processing aids | 0.5 – 3 | 2 |
| glass fiber0 in unfilled default; 20/30/40 wt% in GF variants | 0 – 40 | 0 |
| non-halogen flame retardant (aryl phosphonly in FR V-0 grades | 0 – 15 | 0 |
| polystyrene / HIPSmiscible blend partner giving flow and cost reduction; rubber-modified in impact grades | ≥ 30 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on PPE/PPO?
Takes paint and vacuum metallizing readily; PPO/PS blends are among the few engineering plastics with dedicated electroless-plateable grades, but pretreatment chemistry must avoid aromatic solvents.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to PPE/PPO in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ISO
- PPE
- Trade names
- NorylVestoranXyron
- Also called
- PPO
How much does PPE/PPO cost?
PPE/PPO is a premium-cost polymer ($$$), cheaper than about 51% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
PPE/PPO — frequently asked
What is PPE/PPO used for?
PPE/PPO is typically used for electrical enclosures and connectors, automotive instrument panels and HVAC housings, water pump and plumbing components (hot water resistance), appliance housings and medical device housings. In short: lightest engineering thermoplastic; very low moisture uptake; plateable amorphous resin.
What is the yield strength of PPE/PPO?
PPE/PPO has a typical yield strength of 58 MPa (8.41 ksi) and a tensile strength of 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) — stronger than 66% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is PPE/PPO easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (65/100, better than 66% of polymer grades). Machines easily with sharp tools, high rake and air/water-mist cooling; avoid solvent-based cutting fluids (ketones/aromatics) which cause stress cracking, and annealing after heavy cuts relieves residual stress.
Can PPE/PPO be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). Excellent for ultrasonic, hot-plate, spin and vibration welding; solvent bonding and adhesive bonding also work but choose non-aggressive solvents; glass-filled grades weld at reduced strength.
What surface finishes work on PPE/PPO?
Takes paint and vacuum metallizing readily; PPO/PS blends are among the few engineering plastics with dedicated electroless-plateable grades, but pretreatment chemistry must avoid aromatic solvents.
Can PPE/PPO be formed, bent or molded?
Dry 2–4 h at 100–110 °C, mold at 260–310 °C melt / 70–110 °C tool with generous gates and moderate injection speed; predryable, low-shrink (0.5–0.7 %) and nearly moisture-insensitive, sheet thermoforms well above Tg.
What is the maximum service temperature of PPE/PPO?
PPE/PPO is rated for continuous use to about 100°C (212 °F), and briefly to 130°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does PPE/PPO cost?
PPE/PPO is a premium-cost polymer ($$$), cheaper than about 51% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- Noryl resin (PPE+PS) product datasheets — 731, GFN2/GFN3, NH/FR series — SABIC Specialties (2023)
- Xyron modified PPE grade list — Asahi Kasei (2022)
- VESTORAN PPE compounds technical data — Evonik (2021)
- CAMPUS plastics database — PPE+PS / PPE+PS-GF entries — CWFG/CAMPUS (2024)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 2: Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
- ISO 15103 Plastics — Poly(phenylene ether) (PPE) moulding and extrusion materials — ISO (2007)
- ASTM D256 / D638 / D648 / D790 test methods — ASTM (2022)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.