PSU GF30
Reinforced grade
ASTM D6394 · ISO 1043 PSU · also Udel, Ultrason S
GF30 = 30% glass fiber reinforced
Highest stiffness/creep resistance and lowest CTE of the PSU family; opaque, more abrasive to tools and molds.
Values for the GF30 condition
Other PSU grades and fills
PSU is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at PSU.
Compare all 7 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PTFE-lubricated bearing grade (typically 10–15% PTFE) | Use for sliding/wear parts needing low friction at high temperature; strength and ductility drop versus natural PSU. | 55 | 55 | 15 | 82 Shore D |
Unfilled / Natural (transparent amber, e.g. Udel P-1700) | Standard injection/extrusion grade: pick for transparency, autoclavability and general high-temperature insulating parts. | 71 | 60 | 69 HRM | |
Membrane / solution-casting grade (high, controlled molecular weight) | Choose for ultrafiltration, hemodialysis and gas-separation membranes cast from NMP/DMAc solution rather than melt processed. | 72 | 73 | 70 | 85 Shore D |
20% glass fiber reinforced | Mid-level stiffening with lower warpage than GF30; use for load-bearing housings at 120–150 °C. | 100 | 3.5 | 88 HRM | |
GF30This page 30% glass fiber reinforced | Highest stiffness/creep resistance and lowest CTE of the PSU family; opaque, more abrasive to tools and molds. | 117 | 2.5 | 95 HRM | |
40% Glass Fiber | Highly filled 40% short-glass polysulfone for maximum stiffness, creep resistance and low thermal expansion in electrically insulating structural parts. | 130 | 2 | 92 HRM | |
30% Carbon Fiber | Polysulfone compounded with 30% short carbon fiber for maximum stiffness, dimensional stability and static-dissipative behaviour at up to ~160 °C. | 155 | 1.7 | 95 HRM |
What is PSU GF30?
PSU GF30 is PSU in the GF30 grade — highest stiffness/creep resistance and lowest CTE of the PSU family; opaque, more abrasive to tools and molds. PSU GF30 has a yield strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 117 MPa (17 ksi) — stronger than 79% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 2.5% and the elastic modulus is 8.6 GPa (1.25 Msi). PSU GF30 has a density of 1.49 g/cm³ (0.0538 lb/in³), heavier than 87% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 185°C (365 °F).
Advantages
- Low, predictable mold shrinkage — 0.2%, better than 94% of polymer grades
- Stiff — 8.6 GPa (1.25 Msi), better than 92% of polymer grades
- Conducts heat well — 0.3 W/m·K (0.173 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 83% of polymer grades
- High service temperature — 160°C (320 °F), better than 81% of polymer grades
- High strength — 70 MPa (10.2 ksi), better than 79% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 2.5%, worse than 89% of polymer grades
- Heavy — 1.49 g/cm³ (0.0538 lb/in³), worse than 87% of polymer grades
- Difficult to machine — 45/100, worse than 78% of polymer grades
- High embodied carbon — 7 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 77% of polymer grades
PSU GF30 properties
Typical room-temperature values for PSU GF30; 18 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are PSU reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical6
PSU GF30 has a density of 1.49 g/cm³ (0.0538 lb/in³), heavier than 87% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 185°C (365 °F).
Mechanical15
PSU GF30 has a yield strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 117 MPa (17 ksi) — stronger than 79% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 2.5% and the elastic modulus is 8.6 GPa (1.25 Msi).
Thermal11
PSU GF30 is rated for continuous service to 160°C (320 °F). It conducts heat at 0.3 W/m·K (0.173 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 83% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 23 µm/m·K (12.8 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
PSU GF30 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 very good (80/100), worse than 52% of polymer grades. UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PSU GF30 takes about 130 MJ of energy and emits 7 kg of CO₂ — more than 77% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability8
PSU GF30's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 78% of polymer grades); weldability fair (40/100); formability fair (45/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with PSU GF30
Is PSU easy to machine?
Machines like a tough amorphous plastic: sharp positive-rake carbide tools, high speed, light feed, air or water-soluble coolant only (avoid ketone/chlorinated cutting fluids); anneal blanks ~165 °C to relieve stress and prevent crazing.
Can PSU be welded?
Joins well by ultrasonic, hot-plate/hot-gas and spin welding; solvent bonding with methylene chloride blends is fast but leaves stress-crack risk, so epoxy or ultrasonic is preferred for medical parts.
Can PSU be formed, bent or molded?
Dry resin 3–4 h at 135–150 °C to <0.05% moisture, mold at 330–385 °C melt with 100–160 °C tool, moderate-high injection pressure; thermoformable and extrudable, shrinkage ~0.6% natural / ~0.2% GF30.
What surface finishes work on PSU?
Transparent grade can be flame- or vapor-polished and buffed to optical clarity; paints/adhesives need degreasing or plasma/corona activation; can be metallized or vacuum-sputtered, but unprotected surfaces yellow in sunlight.
PSU 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 |
|---|---|---|
| bisphenol A (BPA) monomer unitpolycondensation with DCDPS forms the polysulfone backbone | ≈ 45 | 45 |
| 4,4'-dichlorodiphenyl sulfone (DCDPS) moaryl-ether-sulfone repeat unit -[O-C6H4-C(CH3)2-C6H4-O-C6H4-SO2-C6H4]- | ≈ 55 | 55 |
| glass fiberonly in GF variants (sized chopped E-glass) | 10 – 30 | 30 |
| PTFEonly in lubricated bearing grades | 10 – 15 | 15 |
| polysulfone polymernatural grade is 100% polymer; no filler, minimal additives | balance |
PSU GF30 — frequently asked
What is PSU GF30 used for?
PSU GF30 is typically used for medical instrument trays and sterilization cases, dialyzer housings and membranes, food-contact containers, hot-water pipe fittings, electrical insulating components and reusable autoclavable medical parts. In short: high-heat steam resistant.
What is the yield strength of PSU GF30?
PSU GF30 has a typical yield strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 117 MPa (17 ksi) — stronger than 79% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is PSU GF30 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 78% of polymer grades). Machines like a tough amorphous plastic: sharp positive-rake carbide tools, high speed, light feed, air or water-soluble coolant only (avoid ketone/chlorinated cutting fluids); anneal blanks ~165 °C to relieve stress and prevent crazing.
Can PSU GF30 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (40/100). Joins well by ultrasonic, hot-plate/hot-gas and spin welding; solvent bonding with methylene chloride blends is fast but leaves stress-crack risk, so epoxy or ultrasonic is preferred for medical parts.
What surface finishes work on PSU GF30?
Transparent grade can be flame- or vapor-polished and buffed to optical clarity; paints/adhesives need degreasing or plasma/corona activation; can be metallized or vacuum-sputtered, but unprotected surfaces yellow in sunlight.
Can PSU GF30 be formed, bent or molded?
Dry resin 3–4 h at 135–150 °C to <0.05% moisture, mold at 330–385 °C melt with 100–160 °C tool, moderate-high injection pressure; thermoformable and extrudable, shrinkage ~0.6% natural / ~0.2% GF30.
What is the maximum service temperature of PSU GF30?
PSU GF30 is rated for continuous use to about 160°C (320 °F), and briefly to 180°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in PSU GF30?
Yes — PSU GF30 is available for CNC machining, sheet metal and injection molding; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- Udel PSU Design Guide & P-1700 data sheet — Solvay Specialty Polymers (2021)
- TECASON S (PSU) stock shapes datasheet — Ensinger (2022)
- CAMPUS plastics data – polysulfone (PSU) grades — CWFG / CAMPUS consortium (2023)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol.2: Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
- ISO 527-2 / ISO 75 / ASTM D638, D790, D256, D257 test methods — ISO / ASTM (2019)
- GB/T 13527 / ISO 10993-1 biological evaluation reference for medical PSU — SAC / ISO (2018)
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.