PPSU · reinforced grade
PPSU-GF30
Properties of the GF30 condition, compared with the other PPSU grades.
Highest stiffness and lowest thermal expansion PPSU grade for structural brackets and hot-fluid manifolds; brittle relative to unfilled PPSU and abrasive to tooling.
What is PPSU-GF30?
PPSU-GF30 is PPSU in the GF30 grade — highest stiffness and lowest thermal expansion PPSU grade for structural brackets and hot-fluid manifolds; brittle relative to unfilled PPSU and abrasive to tooling. PPSU-GF30 has a yield strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) — stronger than 77% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 2.5% and the elastic modulus is 8.8 GPa (1.28 Msi). PPSU-GF30 has a density of 1.53 g/cm³ (0.0553 lb/in³), heavier than 89% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 220°C (428 °F). Medical Grade is the default condition FabDigit quotes; GF30 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Low, predictable mold shrinkage — 0.2%, better than 95% of polymer grades
- Stiff — 8.8 GPa (1.28 Msi), better than 91% of polymer grades
- Conducts heat well — 0.35 W/m·K (0.202 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 91% of polymer grades
- High service temperature — 180°C (356 °F), better than 85% of polymer grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 90/100, better than 81% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 2.5%, worse than 89% of polymer grades
- Heavy — 1.53 g/cm³ (0.0553 lb/in³), worse than 89% of polymer grades
- High embodied carbon — 8.5 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 86% of polymer grades
- Difficult to machine — 40/100, worse than 81% of polymer grades
PPSU-GF30 properties
Typical room-temperature values for PPSU-GF30 — 12 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every PPSU grade. Each bar shows where the value sits among the polymer grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical5
PPSU-GF30 has a density of 1.53 g/cm³ (0.0553 lb/in³), heavier than 89% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 220°C (428 °F).
Mechanical16
PPSU-GF30 has a yield strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) — stronger than 77% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 2.5% and the elastic modulus is 8.8 GPa (1.28 Msi).
Thermal11
PPSU-GF30 is rated for continuous service to 180°C (356 °F). It conducts heat at 0.35 W/m·K (0.202 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 91% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 22 µm/m·K (12.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
PPSU-GF30 is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 15 kV/mm (381 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (90/100), better than 81% of polymer grades. UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PPSU-GF30 takes about 145 MJ of energy and emits 8.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 83% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability8
PPSU-GF30's machinability is fair (40/100, worse than 81% of polymer grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability good (55/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other PPSU grades and fills
PPSU is also supplied in 5 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the PPSU overview.
- Medical GradeDefaultPick for surgical instrument handles, sterilization trays, dental and baby-bottle parts needing repeated autoclaving plus biocompatibility documentation.70 MPa tensile
- GF30Highest stiffness and lowest thermal expansion PPSU grade for structural brackets and hot-fluid manifolds; brittle relative to unfilled PPSU and abrasive to tooling.130 MPa tensile
- GF20Pick when stiffness, creep resistance and dimensional stability matter more than impact toughness or transparency.110 MPa tensile
- NATBaseline transparent-amber grade for hot-water fittings, aircraft interior parts and tough housings where no filler or medical certification is needed.70 MPa tensile
Working with PPSU-GF30
Is PPSU easy to machine?
Machines like a tough amorphous thermoplastic — sharp positive-rake carbide tools, high speed, moderate feed and generous air or water-soluble coolant; avoid petroleum-based cutting oils and anneal (≈160 °C) before finishing to prevent stress cracking.
Can PPSU be welded?
Joins well by ultrasonic, hot-plate, IR and vibration welding, plus solvent bonding with cyclohexanone-type systems; not fusion-weldable by metal-style methods and adhesive joints need plasma or abrasive surface prep.
Can PPSU be formed, bent or molded?
Dry 3–4 h at 135–150 °C to <0.05 % moisture, mold at 355–390 °C melt with 135–165 °C tools; thermoforming and extrusion are practical above Tg, and thick sections should be annealed to relieve molded-in stress.
What surface finishes work on PPSU?
Takes fine polishing to a transparent amber finish, accepts pad printing and laser marking; paint or metallize only after plasma/flame treatment, and expect yellowing without a UV-stabilized topcoat.
PPSU 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 fiberOnly in GF20 / GF30 reinforced variants | 0 – 30 | 0 |
| pigment / additive packageColorants, mold release; medical grades are formulated for ISO 10993 compliance | 0 – 2 | 0.5 |
| polyphenylsulfone repeat unit (bisphenolAmorphous polyaryl ether sulfone; no halogen or added flame retardant in natural grade | balance | — |
PPSU-GF30 — frequently asked
What is PPSU-GF30 used for?
PPSU-GF30 is typically used for medical sterilisation trays and cases, surgical instrument handles, sterilizer components, baby bottles and food-contact hardware, aircraft interior parts and hot-water plumbing fittings and manifolds. In short: durable chemical resistant.
What is the yield strength of PPSU-GF30?
PPSU-GF30 has a typical yield strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) — stronger than 77% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is PPSU-GF30 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (40/100, worse than 81% of polymer grades). Machines like a tough amorphous thermoplastic — sharp positive-rake carbide tools, high speed, moderate feed and generous air or water-soluble coolant; avoid petroleum-based cutting oils and anneal (≈160 °C) before finishing to prevent stress cracking.
Can PPSU-GF30 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). Joins well by ultrasonic, hot-plate, IR and vibration welding, plus solvent bonding with cyclohexanone-type systems; not fusion-weldable by metal-style methods and adhesive joints need plasma or abrasive surface prep.
What surface finishes work on PPSU-GF30?
Takes fine polishing to a transparent amber finish, accepts pad printing and laser marking; paint or metallize only after plasma/flame treatment, and expect yellowing without a UV-stabilized topcoat.
Can PPSU-GF30 be formed, bent or molded?
Dry 3–4 h at 135–150 °C to <0.05 % moisture, mold at 355–390 °C melt with 135–165 °C tools; thermoforming and extrusion are practical above Tg, and thick sections should be annealed to relieve molded-in stress.
What is the maximum service temperature of PPSU-GF30?
PPSU-GF30 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in PPSU-GF30?
Yes — PPSU-GF30 is available for CNC machining, sheet metal and injection molding with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- Radel R PPSU Resin — Design and Processing Guide — Solvay Specialty Polymers (2023)
- Ultrason P (PPSU) Product Brochure — BASF (2022)
- TECASON P natural — PPSU stock shapes — Ensinger (2023)
- CAMPUS Plastics — PPSU material records — CWFG / CAMPUS consortium (2024)
- ASTM D6394 Standard Specification for Sulfone Plastics (SP) Materials — ASTM International (2022)
- ISO 10993-1 Biological evaluation of medical devices — ISO (2018)
- Handbook of Plastics, Elastomers and Composites — sulfone polymers chapter — McGraw-Hill (2006)
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.