PSU (Polysulfone) Plastic Machining

A Guide to PSU CNC Machined Parts: Properties, Applications and Design Considerations

What is PSU Plastic?

Polysulfone (PSU) is a family of transparent thermoplastics known for their toughness and stability at high temperatures. A semi-crystalline polymer, PSU is rigid and highly resistant to mineral acids, alkalis and electrolytes.

Main Attributes of PSU Plastic:

Good chemical resistance (mineral acids, alkali, salt solutions)
Flame retardant
High strength & stiffness
Excellent dimensional stability
Lubricated
High heat resistance
Broad temperature range capability
Good creep strength
Good resistance to hydrolysis and steam
High mechanical strength
Good insulating and dielectric properties
Semi-transparent
Typically has an amber tint
Food grade variations available
Not UV resistant and poor weatherability – unsuitable for outdoor applications
Not suitable for esters, chlorine and aromatic hydrocarbons
Subject to stress cracking

Detailed information about PSU for designers can be found in the tabs below. Please note: this information is provided as a guide only.

PSU Plastic Machining Service - PSU Milling & Turning

Penta Precision supplies highly accurate PSU machined parts throughout the UK. Customers turn to us when they have had quality and delivery issues with their existing suppliers and need a reliable precision machining partner.

We communicate well with customers, we take care with the projects placed with us and we are consistent in our service delivery. See our Proven Process page to find out more about our winning formula.

"Penta has responded quickly and efficiently to our requests which have been very demanding. Without their support we would have struggled to meet our deadlines. It has been a real pleasure to work with a dedicated engineering team that take on board the work load and deliver a good quality component on time." Mike - R & D Engineer

Penta Precision provides the following PSU machining services:

CNC milling – prototypes & large batch runs
CNC turning – prototypes & large batch runs
Insert installation
Part marking
Manual milling
Manual turning
Machining design advice
Machining drawing service

Reasons to Choose Penta:

ISO 9001:2015 quality assurance
Consistent high quality machined parts
Reliable delivery dates - our track record speaks volumes
Exceptional customer service and communication
Machining design advice
Extensive experience in our field

We are regularly machining PSU for customers all over the UK. Our customers depend on our machining expertise as well as our outstanding delivery performance, to machine the highest quality parts. If you'd like to discuss how we can help you with your PSU machining requirements, here's a list of ways to get in touch with us.

Stock Size (mm)	Tolerance (mm)
Ø10	+0.10/+0.80
Ø20	+0.20/+0.90
Ø30	+0.20/+1.20
Ø40	+0.20/+1.60
Ø50	+0.30/+2.00
Ø60	+0.30/+2.50
Ø80	+0.40/+3.00
Ø100	+0.60/+3.80

Stock Size (mm)

Tolerance (mm)

Ø10

+0.10/+0.80

Ø20

+0.20/+0.90

Ø30

+0.20/+1.20

Ø40

+0.20/+1.60

Ø50

+0.30/+2.00

Ø60

+0.30/+2.50

Ø80

+0.40/+3.00

Ø100

+0.60/+3.80

Stock Size (mm)	Tolerance (mm)
20 x 500	+0.30/+2.50
40 x 500	+0.50/+2.50

Stock Size (mm)

Tolerance (mm)

20 x 500

+0.30/+2.50

40 x 500

+0.50/+2.50

Mechanical Properties	Value	Parameter	Norm	Notes
Modulus of Elasticity (tensile test)	2700 MPa	1mm/min	DIN EN ISO 527-2	For tensile test specimen type 1b
Tensile Strength	89 MPa	50mm/min	DIN EN ISO 527-2
Tensile Strength at Yield	89 MPa	50mm/min	DIN EN ISO 527-2
Elongation at Yield	5%	50mm/min	DIN EN ISO 527-2
Elongation at Break	15%	50mm/min	DIN EN ISO 527-2
Flexural Stength	122 MPa	2mm/min, 10 N	DIN EN ISO 178	For flexural test: support span 64mm, norm specimen
Modulus of Elasticity (flexural test)	2600 MPa	2mm/min, 10 N	DIN EN ISO 178
Compression Strength	15/28/75 MPa	1%/2%/5% 5mm/min, 10N	EN ISO 604	Specimen 10x10x10mm
Compression Modulus	2300 MPa	5mm/min, 10 N	EN ISO 604	Specimen 10x10x50mm, modulus range between 0.5 and 1% compression
Impact Strength (Charpy)	175 kJ/m²	max. 7.5J	DIN EN ISO 179-1eU	For Charpy test: support span 64mm, norm specimen
Notched Impact Strength (Charpy)	4 kJ/m²	max. 7.5J	DIN EN ISO 179-1eA
Ball Indentation Hardness	167 MPa		ISO 2039-1	Specimen in 4mm thickness

Mechanical Properties

Value

Parameter

Norm

Notes

Modulus of Elasticity (tensile test)

2700 MPa

1mm/min

DIN EN ISO 527-2

For tensile test specimen type 1b

Tensile Strength

89 MPa

50mm/min

DIN EN ISO 527-2

Tensile Strength at Yield

89 MPa

50mm/min

DIN EN ISO 527-2

Elongation at Yield

50mm/min

DIN EN ISO 527-2

Elongation at Break

15%

50mm/min

DIN EN ISO 527-2

Flexural Stength

122 MPa

2mm/min, 10 N

DIN EN ISO 178

For flexural test: support span 64mm, norm specimen

Modulus of Elasticity (flexural test)

2600 MPa

2mm/min, 10 N

DIN EN ISO 178

Compression Strength

15/28/75 MPa

1%/2%/5% 5mm/min, 10N

EN ISO 604

Specimen 10x10x10mm

Compression Modulus

2300 MPa

5mm/min, 10 N

EN ISO 604

Specimen 10x10x50mm, modulus range between 0.5 and 1% compression

Impact Strength (Charpy)

175 kJ/m²

max. 7.5J

DIN EN ISO 179-1eU

For Charpy test: support span 64mm, norm specimen

Notched Impact Strength (Charpy)

4 kJ/m²

max. 7.5J

DIN EN ISO 179-1eA

Ball Indentation Hardness

167 MPa

ISO 2039-1

Specimen in 4mm thickness

Thermal Properties	Value	Parameter	Norm	Notes
Glass Transition Temperature	188°C		DIN EN ISO 11357	Found in public sources
Service Temperature	180°C	short term		Found in public sources. Individual testing regarding application conditions is mandatory
Service Temperature	160°C	long term
Thermal Expansion (CLTE)	6 10^-5 K^-1	23-60°C, long	DIN EN ISO 11359-1;2
Thermal Expansion (CLTE)	6 10^-5 K^-1	23-100°C, long	DIN EN ISO 11359-1;2
Specific Heat	1.2 J/(g*K)		ISO 22007-4:2008
Thermal Conductivity	0.21 W/(K*m)		ISO 22007-4:2008

Thermal Properties

Value

Parameter

Norm

Notes

Glass Transition Temperature

188°C

DIN EN ISO 11357

Found in public sources

Service Temperature

180°C

short term

Found in public sources. Individual testing regarding application conditions is mandatory

Service Temperature

160°C

long term

Thermal Expansion (CLTE)

6 10^-5 K^-1

23-60°C, long

DIN EN ISO 11359-1;2

Thermal Expansion (CLTE)

6 10^-5 K^-1

23-100°C, long

DIN EN ISO 11359-1;2

Specific Heat

1.2 J/(g*K)

ISO 22007-4:2008

Thermal Conductivity

0.21 W/(K*m)

ISO 22007-4:2008

Electrical Properties	Value	Parameter	Norm	Notes
Specific Surface Resistance	10¹⁴ Ω		DIN IEC 60093
Specific Volume Resistance	10¹⁴ Ω*cm		DIN IEC 60093

Electrical Properties

Value

Parameter

Norm

Notes

Specific Surface Resistance

10¹⁴ Ω

DIN IEC 60093

Specific Volume Resistance

10¹⁴ Ω*cm

DIN IEC 60093

Other Properties	Value	Parameter	Norm	Notes
Water Absorption	0.06/0.1%	24h/96h (23°C)	DIN EN ISO 62	Ø ca. 50mm, h=13mm
Resistance to Hot Water/Bases	+			+Good resistance
Resistance to Weathering	-			- Poor resistance
Flammability (UL94)	V0	Corresponding to	DIN IEC 60695-11-10	Corresponding means no listing at UL (yellow card). The information might be taken from resin, stock shape or estimation. Individual testing regarding application conditions is mandatory.
Density	1.24 g/cm³

Other Properties

Value

Parameter

Norm

Notes

Water Absorption

0.06/0.1%

24h/96h (23°C)

DIN EN ISO 62

Ø ca. 50mm, h=13mm

Resistance to Hot Water/Bases

+Good resistance

Resistance to Weathering

- Poor resistance

Flammability (UL94)

Corresponding to

DIN IEC 60695-11-10

Corresponding means no listing at UL (yellow card). The information might be taken from resin, stock shape or estimation. Individual testing regarding application conditions is mandatory.

Density

1.24 g/cm³