PSU-GF20
ASTM D6394
PSU-GF20 is polysulfone, an amorphous sulfone-family thermoplastic, reinforced with about 20% short glass fiber and covered by ASTM D6394.
Reference datasheet — PSU-GF20 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.
Values for the GF20 condition
PSU-GF20 grades and fills
PSU-GF20 is supplied in 7 conditions, soft to hard. GF20 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 7 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mineral-filled PSU | Choose for isotropic shrinkage, low warpage and better plateability than glass fiber. | 60 | 62 | 4 | 85 Shore D |
Unfilled / natural transparent PSU | Pick when transparency, ductility or thermoformability matters more than stiffness. | 70 | 70 | 60 | 69 HRM |
PTFE/graphite lubricated bearing grade (often GF+PTFE) | Pick for low-friction bushings, wear rings and valve seats running dry at high temperature. | 72 | 75 | 2.5 | 84 Shore D |
10% glass-fiber reinforced | Lightly reinforced compromise when some ductility and lower warpage must be kept. | 80 | 85 | 4 | 86 Shore D |
Flame-retardant grade | Use for electrical enclosures, aircraft interiors and rail parts needing rated V-0 at thin wall. | 95 | 95 | 2.5 | 87 Shore D |
GF20Default 20% glass-fiber reinforced | Balanced stiffness/toughness reinforced grade for hot-water and steam-exposed structural parts. | 100 | 3 | ||
30% glass-fiber reinforced | Maximum stiffness and creep resistance for pressurized fittings and hot-fluid housings. | 124 | 2 |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways PSU-GF20 is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
EXT-STOCK | Extruded stock shape (rod / plate) for machining | Surface finish |
FOOD-NSF | Food-contact / potable-water grade | Certification |
MED | Medical grade | Certification |
What is PSU-GF20?
PSU-GF20 is polysulfone, an amorphous sulfone-family thermoplastic, reinforced with about 20% short glass fiber and covered by ASTM D6394. The fiber raises stiffness to 6.2 GPa and tensile strength to 100 MPa at 1.38 g/cm³ density, and cuts creep and thermal expansion versus unfilled PSU, which is why it is used for rigid housings and brackets that see elevated temperature; it is supplied as injection-molded parts and extruded plate and rod (EXT-STOCK), with FR, MED, FOOD-NSF, mineral and PTFE-lubricated variants on file. Elongation falls to roughly 3%, so the grade is notch-sensitive and prone to stress cracking in polar solvents, and fiber read-through rules out high-gloss cosmetic surfaces. Choose unfilled PSU where toughness or translucency matters, or PSU-GF30 for maximum rigidity. PSU-GF20 has a density of 1.38 g/cm³ (0.0499 lb/in³), heavier than 77% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 187°C (369 °F). PSU-GF20 has a tensile strength of 100 MPa (14.5 ksi), stronger than 89% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 6.2 GPa (0.899 Msi).
What is PSU-GF20 used for?
- Structural housings
- Electrical connectors
- Medical device components
- Aerospace interior brackets
Advantages
- Stiff — 6.2 GPa (0.899 Msi), better than 90% of polymer grades
- Low, predictable mold shrinkage — 0.3%, better than 90% of polymer grades
- High service temperature — 160°C (320 °F), better than 81% of polymer grades
- Conducts heat well — 0.28 W/m·K (0.162 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 3%, worse than 83% of polymer grades
- Limited formability — 15/100, worse than 79% of polymer grades
- High embodied carbon — 7.5 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 79% of polymer grades
- Heavy — 1.38 g/cm³ (0.0499 lb/in³), worse than 77% of polymer grades
PSU-GF20 properties
Typical room-temperature values for PSU-GF20-GF20; bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical4
PSU-GF20 has a density of 1.38 g/cm³ (0.0499 lb/in³), heavier than 77% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 187°C (369 °F).
Mechanical13
PSU-GF20 has a tensile strength of 100 MPa (14.5 ksi), stronger than 89% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 6.2 GPa (0.899 Msi).
Thermal11
PSU-GF20 is rated for continuous service to 160°C (320 °F). It conducts heat at 0.28 W/m·K (0.162 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 25 µm/m·K (13.9 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
PSU-GF20 is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 17 kV/mm (431.8 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (86/100), better than 72% of polymer grades. UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PSU-GF20 takes about 135 MJ of energy and emits 7.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 79% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability8
PSU-GF20's machinability is good (55/100, worse than 64% of polymer grades); weldability fair (40/100); formability poor (15/100).
Common Calculations4
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. PSU-GF20 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with PSU-GF20
Is PSU-GF20 easy to machine?
Machines cleanly with sharp carbide or PCD tooling and generous chip clearance; glass fiber is abrasive, use coolant/air blast and low feed to avoid melt smearing and micro-cracking.
Can PSU-GF20 be welded?
Ultrasonic and hot-plate welding are feasible with energy directors but glass fiber lowers joint strength; solvent bonding (e.g. methylene chloride blends) risks stress cracking — mechanical fasteners or epoxy are safer.
Can PSU-GF20 be formed, bent or molded?
Injection mold at 335–380 °C melt with 130–165 °C mold; dry 3–4 h at 135–150 °C to <0.05% moisture or splay and hydrolytic property loss occur.
PSU-GF20 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 fibershort chopped E-glass, silane sized | 18 – 22 | 20 |
| additives (heat stabilizer, pigment, lub | 0 – 1.5 | 0.5 |
| polysulfone (bisphenol-A polysulfone) rePSU matrix per ASTM D6394 | ≥ 78 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on PSU-GF20?
Anneal (160–165 °C) to relieve molding stress before contact with solvents or paints; primer-based paints and vacuum metallizing adhere well, but fiber read-through limits high-gloss cosmetic surfaces.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to PSU-GF20 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- D6394
- Also called
- PSU 20GF
How much does PSU-GF20 cost?
PSU-GF20 is a high-cost polymer ($$$$), pricier than about 78% 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.
PSU-GF20 — frequently asked
What is PSU-GF20 used for?
PSU-GF20 is typically used for structural housings, electrical connectors, medical device components and aerospace interior brackets. In short: stiffer than unfilled PSU; entry-level glass-filled sulfone; low creep at temperature.
What is the tensile strength of PSU-GF20?
PSU-GF20 has a typical tensile strength of 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) — stronger than 89% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is PSU-GF20 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, worse than 64% of polymer grades). Machines cleanly with sharp carbide or PCD tooling and generous chip clearance; glass fiber is abrasive, use coolant/air blast and low feed to avoid melt smearing and micro-cracking.
Can PSU-GF20 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (40/100). Ultrasonic and hot-plate welding are feasible with energy directors but glass fiber lowers joint strength; solvent bonding (e.g. methylene chloride blends) risks stress cracking — mechanical fasteners or epoxy are safer.
What surface finishes work on PSU-GF20?
Anneal (160–165 °C) to relieve molding stress before contact with solvents or paints; primer-based paints and vacuum metallizing adhere well, but fiber read-through limits high-gloss cosmetic surfaces.
Can PSU-GF20 be formed, bent or molded?
Injection mold at 335–380 °C melt with 130–165 °C mold; dry 3–4 h at 135–150 °C to <0.05% moisture or splay and hydrolytic property loss occur.
What is the maximum service temperature of PSU-GF20?
PSU-GF20 is rated for continuous use to about 160°C (320 °F), and briefly to 190°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between PSU-GF20 GF20 and PSU-GF20 FR?
GF20 is the default condition — balanced stiffness/toughness reinforced grade for hot-water and steam-exposed structural parts. FR: use for electrical enclosures, aircraft interiors and rail parts needing rated V-0 at thin wall.
How much does PSU-GF20 cost?
PSU-GF20 is a high-cost polymer ($$$$), pricier than about 78% 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
- ASTM D6394 — Standard Specification for Sulfone Plastics (SP) — ASTM International (2022)
- Udel Polysulfone Design Guide (GF-110/120/130 grades) — Solvay Specialty Polymers (2021)
- Ultrason S (PSU) product line brochure — BASF (2020)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol.2 — Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
- CAMPUS plastics database — PSU GF20 datasets (ISO 10350) — CWFG / CAMPUS consortium (2023)
- Sultron / TECASON S stock shape data sheets — Ensinger (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.