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PSU-GF20 GF10

Reinforced grade

ASTM D6394

GF10 = 10% glass-fiber reinforced

Lightly reinforced compromise when some ductility and lower warpage must be kept.

High cost $$$$

Values for the GF10 condition

Other PSU-GF20 grades and fills

PSU-GF20 is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at PSU-GF20.

Compare all 7 grades and fillsHide
Grade · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %Hardness
Mineral-filled PSU
Choose for isotropic shrinkage, low warpage and better plateability than glass fiber.6062485 Shore D
Unfilled / natural transparent PSU
Pick when transparency, ductility or thermoformability matters more than stiffness.70706069 HRM
PTFE/graphite lubricated bearing grade (often GF+PTFE)
Pick for low-friction bushings, wear rings and valve seats running dry at high temperature.72752.584 Shore D
GF10This page
10% glass-fiber reinforced
Lightly reinforced compromise when some ductility and lower warpage must be kept.8085486 Shore D
Flame-retardant grade
Use for electrical enclosures, aircraft interiors and rail parts needing rated V-0 at thin wall.95952.587 Shore D
GF20Default
20% glass-fiber reinforced
Balanced stiffness/toughness reinforced grade for hot-water and steam-exposed structural parts.—1003—
30% glass-fiber reinforced
Maximum stiffness and creep resistance for pressurized fittings and hot-fluid housings.—1242—

What is PSU-GF20 GF10?

PSU-GF20 GF10 is PSU-GF20 in the GF10 grade — lightly reinforced compromise when some ductility and lower warpage must be kept. PSU-GF20 GF10 has a tensile strength of 85 MPa (12.3 ksi), stronger than 85% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 4.1 GPa (0.595 Msi). PSU-GF20 GF10 has a density of 1.31 g/cm³ (0.0473 lb/in³), heavier than 71% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 187°C (369 °F). GF20 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; GF10 is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • Stiff — 4.1 GPa (0.595 Msi), better than 87% of polymer grades
  • High service temperature — 160°C (320 °F), better than 81% of polymer grades
  • Low, predictable mold shrinkage — 0.45%, better than 77% of polymer grades

Limitations

  • High embodied carbon — 7.5 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 79% of polymer grades
  • Limited ductility — 4%, worse than 78% of polymer grades

PSU-GF20 GF10 properties

Typical room-temperature values for PSU-GF20 GF10; 27 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are PSU-GF20 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.

Physical4

PSU-GF20 GF10 has a density of 1.31 g/cm³ (0.0473 lb/in³), heavier than 71% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 187°C (369 °F).

Density1.31 g/cm³0.05 lb/in³
Glass Transition (Tg)187°C369 °F
Water Absorption (24 h)0.22%
Water Absorption (Saturation)0.6%

Mechanical13

PSU-GF20 GF10 has a tensile strength of 85 MPa (12.3 ksi), stronger than 85% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 4.1 GPa (0.595 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus4.1 GPa0.59 Msi
Shear Modulus2.3 GPa0.33 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.39
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)85 MPa12.3 ksi
Elongation at Break4%
Compressive Strength105 MPa15.2 ksi
Compressive Modulus5.5 GPa0.8 Msi
Flexural Strength125 MPa18.1 ksi
Flexural Modulus3.9 GPa0.57 Msi
Shear Strength55 MPa8 ksi
Izod Impact, Notched55 J/m1 ft·lbf/in
Hardness, Rockwell M85 HRM
Hardness, Rockwell R120 HRR

Thermal11

PSU-GF20 GF10 is rated for continuous service to 160°C (320 °F). It conducts heat at 0.24 W/m·K (0.139 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 67% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 34 µm/m·K (18.9 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity0.24 W/m·K0.14 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity1,150 J/kg·K0.27 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)34 µm/m·K18.9 µin/in·°F
Max Service Temperature (continuous)160°C320 °F
Min Service Temperature-100°C-148 °F
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa184°C363 °F
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa178°C352 °F
Vicat Softening Point (B50)188°C370 °F
Flammability (UL 94)HB standard; V-0 obtainable at ≥1.5 mm in flame-retardant PSU compounds
Limiting Oxygen Index30%
Max Service Temperature (short-term)190°C374 °F

Electrical7

PSU-GF20 GF10 is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 17 kV/mm (431.8 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m.

Electrical Resistivity1×10¹⁴ Ω·m3.94×10²¹ µΩ·in
Dielectric Strength17 kV/mm432 V/mil
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)3.6
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)0.006
Volume Resistivity1×10¹⁶ Ω·cm
Surface Resistivity1×10¹⁵ Ω
Comparative Tracking Index (CTI)150 V

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is excellent (86/100), better than 72% of polymer grades. UV resistance is poor.

Corrosion ResistanceExcellent86/100
UV / Weathering ResistancePoor30/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryExcellent against hot water/steam, dilute acids, alkalis, salt solutions and most detergents; resists repeated autoclaving. Attacked or stress-cracked by ketones, esters, chlorinated hydrocarbons, aromatic solvents and some concentrated oxidizers.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of PSU-GF20 GF10 takes about 135 MJ of energy and emits 7.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 79% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)135 MJ/kg58,040 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)7.5 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content0%

Manufacturability8

PSU-GF20 GF10's machinability is good (63/100, better than 63% of polymer grades); weldability fair (48/100); formability poor (25/100).

MachinabilityGood63/100
WeldabilityFair48/100
Formability (cold)Poor25/100
PolishabilityFair35/100
Mold Shrinkage0.45%
Melt Flow Rate4 g/10 min
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)355°C671 °F
Mold Temperature (typ.)150°C302 °F

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with PSU-GF20 GF10

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.

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.

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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
glass fibershort chopped E-glass, silane sized18 – 2220
additives (heat stabilizer, pigment, lub0 – 1.50.5
polysulfone (bisphenol-A polysulfone) rePSU matrix per ASTM D6394≥ 78 (balance)—

PSU-GF20 GF10 — frequently asked

What is PSU-GF20 GF10 used for?

PSU-GF20 GF10 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 GF10?

PSU-GF20 GF10 has a typical tensile strength of 85 MPa (12.3 ksi) — stronger than 85% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.

Is PSU-GF20 GF10 easy to machine?

Reasonably — machinability is rated good (63/100, better than 63% 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 GF10 be welded?

With care — weldability is rated fair (48/100). 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 GF10?

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 GF10 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 GF10?

PSU-GF20 GF10 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.

Sources

  1. ASTM D6394 — Standard Specification for Sulfone Plastics (SP) — ASTM International (2022)
  2. Udel Polysulfone Design Guide (GF-110/120/130 grades) — Solvay Specialty Polymers (2021)
  3. Ultrason S (PSU) product line brochure — BASF (2020)
  4. Engineered Materials Handbook Vol.2 — Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
  5. CAMPUS plastics database — PSU GF20 datasets (ISO 10350) — CWFG / CAMPUS consortium (2023)
  6. Sultron / TECASON S stock shape data sheets — Ensinger (2022)

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.