PPO UNF (Unfilled / natural)
Reinforced grade · default condition
also Noryl
General-purpose choice: best toughness/electrical balance and easiest molding; use where 100 °C service and moderate stiffness are enough.
Values for the UNF condition
Other PPO grades and fills
PPO is listed in 12 conditions; see the grade overview at PPO.
Compare all 12 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Structural foam | Foam-molded thick-wall housings and enclosures where stiffness-per-weight and low tooling pressure matter more than surface finish. | 34 | 34 | 12 | 72 Shore D |
PPE+PP alloy | Low-density PPE/polypropylene alloy with hydrolytic and chemical resistance for EV battery packs, connectors and photovoltaic hardware. | 42 | 42 | 30 | 72 Shore D |
Impact modified / high impact | Rubber-toughened blend for snap-fits, thin walls and cold-impact duty where notch sensitivity must be minimised. | 47 | 47 | 65 | 74 Shore D |
Mineral / talc filled | Isotropic shrinkage and better surface than glass fiber; used for painted or plated cosmetic parts and low-warpage panels. | 52 | 52 | 8 | 82 Shore D |
Flame retardant, UL 94 V-0 | Choose for enclosures, busbar supports and PV/telecom parts requiring V-0 with retained dielectric performance. | 55 | 55 | 35 | 79 Shore D |
UNFDefaultThis page Unfilled / natural | General-purpose choice: best toughness/electrical balance and easiest molding; use where 100 °C service and moderate stiffness are enough. | 60 | 60 | 50 | 80 Shore D |
ESD / static-dissipative | Carbon-black or carbon-fiber loaded for IC trays, fuel-system and electronics handling parts needing controlled resistivity. | 60 | 60 | 8 | 80 Shore D |
PPE+PA alloy | Semi-crystalline PPE/polyamide alloy for online-painted automotive fenders, e-mobility and fuel-contact parts: solvent and heat resistance far above PPE/PS, but higher moisture uptake. | — | 60 | 30 | — |
High-heat | Higher PPE fraction raises HDT/Tg for hot-water manifolds, lamp and steam-contact parts; harder to mold (higher melt temperature). | — | 66 | 35 | — |
10% glass-fiber reinforced | Small stiffness and HDT boost while keeping reasonable toughness and low warpage. | — | 78 | 6 | — |
20% glass-fiber reinforced | Mid-range structural grade for pump housings and brackets needing higher rigidity and creep resistance. | — | 100 | 4 | — |
30% glass-fiber reinforced | Highest stiffness/HDT standard grade; pick for load-bearing housings and dimensionally critical parts, accepting brittleness and anisotropic shrinkage. | — | 120 | 3 | — |
What is PPO UNF?
PPO UNF is PPO in the UNF grade — general-purpose choice: best toughness/electrical balance and easiest molding; use where 100 °C service and moderate stiffness are enough. PPO UNF has a yield strength of 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) — stronger than 69% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 50% and the elastic modulus is 2.5 GPa (0.363 Msi). PPO UNF 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).
Advantages
- Low moisture uptake — 0.07%, better than 81% of polymer grades
PPO UNF properties
Typical room-temperature values for PPO UNF; 29 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are PPO reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical4
PPO UNF 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).
Mechanical17
PPO UNF has a yield strength of 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) — stronger than 69% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 50% and the elastic modulus is 2.5 GPa (0.363 Msi).
Thermal11
PPO UNF 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 60 µm/m·K (33.3 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
PPO UNF is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 21 kV/mm (533.4 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 PPO UNF takes about 105 MJ of energy and emits 4.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 54% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.
Manufacturability8
PPO UNF's machinability is very good (70/100, better than 74% of polymer grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability fair (50/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with PPO UNF
Is PPO easy to machine?
Machines easily with sharp carbide tools, high speed and light feeds; keep parts cool and avoid stress risers — the amorphous matrix is notch-sensitive and can craze if solvent coolants are used (air or water only).
Can PPO be welded?
Excellent ultrasonic, hot-plate, spin and vibration welding; solvent bonding with chlorinated solvents works but leaves residual stress, and annealing is advised before service.
Can PPO be formed, bent or molded?
Inject at 260–310 °C melt / 70–110 °C mold with pre-drying 2–4 h at 100 °C; high melt viscosity needs generous gates and runners, and shrinkage is low and isotropic (0.5–0.7%) in unfilled grades.
What surface finishes work on PPO?
Takes paint, hot stamping, laser marking and electroless plating well after etch; avoid aromatic/ketone-based primers and thinners which cause environmental stress cracking.
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) (base engineering resin; higher fraction = higher HDT/Tg | 35 – 70 | 50 |
| impact modifier (SBS/SEBS rubber)toughening phase in impact grades | 0 – 12 | 3 |
| glass fiber0 in default unfilled grade; GF10–GF30 typical | 0 – 40 | 0 |
| flame retardant (aryl phosphate, non-halFR/V-0 grades only | 0 – 15 | 0 |
| stabilizers, pigments, processing aids | 0.3 – 3 | 1.5 |
| polystyrene / HIPSmiscible modifier lowering melt viscosity and cost | ≥ 25 (balance) | — |
PPO UNF — frequently asked
What is PPO UNF used for?
PPO UNF is typically used for electrical enclosures, pump housings, plumbing fittings, automotive interior trim and bus bar insulation. In short: very low water absorption; dimensionally stable amorphous blend; weldable and platable.
What is the yield strength of PPO UNF?
PPO UNF has a typical yield strength of 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) — stronger than 69% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 12 listed tempers.
Is PPO UNF easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (70/100, better than 74% of polymer grades). Machines easily with sharp carbide tools, high speed and light feeds; keep parts cool and avoid stress risers — the amorphous matrix is notch-sensitive and can craze if solvent coolants are used (air or water only).
Can PPO UNF be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). Excellent ultrasonic, hot-plate, spin and vibration welding; solvent bonding with chlorinated solvents works but leaves residual stress, and annealing is advised before service.
What surface finishes work on PPO UNF?
Takes paint, hot stamping, laser marking and electroless plating well after etch; avoid aromatic/ketone-based primers and thinners which cause environmental stress cracking.
Can PPO UNF be formed, bent or molded?
Inject at 260–310 °C melt / 70–110 °C mold with pre-drying 2–4 h at 100 °C; high melt viscosity needs generous gates and runners, and shrinkage is low and isotropic (0.5–0.7%) in unfilled grades.
What is the maximum service temperature of PPO UNF?
PPO UNF 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.
What is the difference between PPO UNF and PPO FOAM?
UNF is the default condition — general-purpose choice: best toughness/electrical balance and easiest molding; use where 100 °C service and moderate stiffness are enough. FOAM: foam-molded thick-wall housings and enclosures where stiffness-per-weight and low tooling pressure matter more than surface finish. Yield strength is 60 MPa in UNF versus 34 MPa in FOAM.
Sources
- Noryl resin (PPE/PS) product datasheets and processing guide — SABIC Specialties / Shpp (2023)
- CAMPUS plastics datasheets — PPE+PS, PPE+PA, PPE+PP — CWFG / CAMPUS (2024)
- Engineered Materials Handbook, Vol. 2: Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
- TECANYL / PPE stock shape datasheet — Ensinger (2022)
- ISO 15103 — Plastics: poly(phenylene ether) (PPE) moulding and extrusion materials — ISO (2007)
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.