FabDigit

PPSU · reinforced grade

PPSU-GF20

Properties of the GF20 condition, compared with the other PPSU grades.

Pick when stiffness, creep resistance and dimensional stability matter more than impact toughness or transparency.

CNC machiningSheet metalInjection moldingSpecialty cost $$$$$
Request a quote in PPSU-GF20PPSU overview

What is PPSU-GF20?

PPSU-GF20 is PPSU in the GF20 grade — pick when stiffness, creep resistance and dimensional stability matter more than impact toughness or transparency. PPSU-GF20 has a yield strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 110 MPa (16 ksi) — stronger than 77% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 6.2 GPa (0.899 Msi). PPSU-GF20 has a density of 1.44 g/cm³ (0.052 lb/in³), heavier than 84% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 220°C (428 °F). Medical Grade is the default condition FabDigit quotes; GF20 is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • Conducts heat well — 0.35 W/m·K (0.202 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 91% of polymer grades
  • Low, predictable mold shrinkage — 0.3%, better than 91% of polymer grades
  • Stiff — 6.2 GPa (0.899 Msi), better than 89% 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

  • High embodied carbon — 8.5 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 86% of polymer grades
  • Heavy — 1.44 g/cm³ (0.052 lb/in³), worse than 84% of polymer grades
  • Limited ductility — 3%, worse than 83% of polymer grades
  • Difficult to machine — 45/100, worse than 77% of polymer grades

PPSU-GF20 properties

Typical room-temperature values for PPSU-GF20 — 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-GF20 has a density of 1.44 g/cm³ (0.052 lb/in³), heavier than 84% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 220°C (428 °F).

Density1.44 g/cm³0.05 lb/in³
Glass Transition (Tg)220°C428 °F
Water Absorption (24 h)0.37%
Water Absorption (Saturation)1.1%
Refractive Index1.67

Mechanical16

PPSU-GF20 has a yield strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 110 MPa (16 ksi) — stronger than 77% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 6.2 GPa (0.899 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus6.2 GPa0.9 Msi
Shear Modulus0.85 GPa0.12 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.4
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)110 MPa16 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)70 MPa10.2 ksi
Elongation at Break3%
Compressive Strength96 MPa13.9 ksi
Compressive Modulus2.3 GPa0.33 Msi
Flexural Strength165 MPa23.9 ksi
Flexural Modulus6 GPa0.87 Msi
Shear Strength60 MPa8.7 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)3 MPa·√m2.7 ksi·√in
Izod Impact, Notched85 J/m1.6 ft·lbf/in
Hardness, Shore D87 Shore D
Hardness, Rockwell M86 HRM
Hardness, Rockwell R122 HRR

Thermal11

PPSU-GF20 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 30 µm/m·K (16.7 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity0.35 W/m·K0.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity1,170 J/kg·K0.28 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)30 µm/m·K16.7 µin/in·°F
Max Service Temperature (continuous)180°C356 °F
Min Service Temperature-50°C-58 °F
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa214°C417 °F
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa210°C410 °F
Vicat Softening Point (B50)220°C428 °F
Flammability (UL 94)V-0 at 1.5 mm
Limiting Oxygen Index38%
Max Service Temperature (short-term)220°C428 °F

Electrical7

PPSU-GF20 is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 15 kV/mm (381 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m.

Electrical Resistivity1×10¹⁴ Ω·m3.94×10²¹ µΩ·in
Dielectric Strength15 kV/mm381 V/mil
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)3.45
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)0.0076
Volume Resistivity9×10¹⁵ Ω·cm
Surface Resistivity1×10¹⁶ Ω
Comparative Tracking Index (CTI)150 V

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is excellent (90/100), better than 81% of polymer grades. UV resistance is poor.

Corrosion ResistanceExcellent90/100
UV / Weathering ResistancePoor30/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryOutstanding hydrolytic stability — withstands >1000 steam autoclave cycles, hot water, acids, bases and hospital disinfectants; much better environmental stress-crack resistance than PSU or PEI. Attacked/swollen by ketones (MEK, acetone), chlorinated solvents, esters and some aromatic hydrocarbons; avoid contact with these under load.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of PPSU-GF20 takes about 145 MJ of energy and emits 8.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 83% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)145 MJ/kg62,339 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)8.5 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water500 L/kg59.9 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content0%

Manufacturability8

PPSU-GF20's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 77% of polymer grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability good (55/100).

MachinabilityFair45/100
WeldabilityVery good70/100
Formability (cold)Good55/100
PolishabilityVery good70/100
Mold Shrinkage0.3%
Melt Flow Rate15 g/10 min
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)375°C707 °F
Mold Temperature (typ.)150°C302 °F

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.

Working with PPSU-GF20

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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
glass fiberOnly in GF20 / GF30 reinforced variants0 – 300
pigment / additive packageColorants, mold release; medical grades are formulated for ISO 10993 compliance0 – 20.5
polyphenylsulfone repeat unit (bisphenolAmorphous polyaryl ether sulfone; no halogen or added flame retardant in natural gradebalance—

PPSU-GF20 — frequently asked

What is PPSU-GF20 used for?

PPSU-GF20 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-GF20?

PPSU-GF20 has a typical yield strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 110 MPa (16 ksi) — stronger than 77% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.

Is PPSU-GF20 easy to machine?

Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 77% 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-GF20 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-GF20?

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-GF20 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-GF20?

PPSU-GF20 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-GF20?

Yes — PPSU-GF20 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

  1. Radel R PPSU Resin — Design and Processing Guide — Solvay Specialty Polymers (2023)
  2. Ultrason P (PPSU) Product Brochure — BASF (2022)
  3. TECASON P natural — PPSU stock shapes — Ensinger (2023)
  4. CAMPUS Plastics — PPSU material records — CWFG / CAMPUS consortium (2024)
  5. ASTM D6394 Standard Specification for Sulfone Plastics (SP) Materials — ASTM International (2022)
  6. ISO 10993-1 Biological evaluation of medical devices — ISO (2018)
  7. 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.