PSU-GF20 GF20
Reinforced grade · default condition
ASTM D6394
GF20 = 20% glass-fiber reinforced
Balanced stiffness/toughness reinforced grade for hot-water and steam-exposed structural parts.
Values for the GF20 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 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 |
GF20DefaultThis page 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 | — |
What is PSU-GF20 GF20?
PSU-GF20 GF20 is PSU-GF20 in the GF20 grade — balanced stiffness/toughness reinforced grade for hot-water and steam-exposed structural parts. PSU-GF20 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). PSU-GF20 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).
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 GF20 properties
Typical room-temperature values for PSU-GF20 GF20; 11 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 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 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 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 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 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 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. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with PSU-GF20 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.
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.
| 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) | — |
PSU-GF20 GF20 — frequently asked
What is PSU-GF20 GF20 used for?
PSU-GF20 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 GF20?
PSU-GF20 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 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 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 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 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 GF20?
PSU-GF20 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.