Properties of Polysulfone (PSU)
Polysulfone (PSU) is a high-performance thermoplastic known for its outstanding thermal stability, chemical resistance, and mechanical strength. As part of the engineering plastics family, it is widely used in demanding environments where reliability and durability are critical.
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The following table provides a comprehensive list of polysulfone (PSU) properties in both SI and US customary/Imperial units at normal temperature and pressure (NTP).
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| Physical Properties | Metric |
|---|---|
| Category | Thermoplastic |
| Density | 1240 kg/m3 |
| Water Absorption | 0.22 %wt/day |
| Mechanical Properties | Metric |
| Yield Tensile Strength | 70 MPa |
| Ultimate Compressive Strength | 96 MPa |
| Young’s Modulus (E) | 2.48 GPa |
| Flexural Modulus | 2.69 GPa |
| Poisson’s Ratio (ν) | 0.37 |
| Elongation at Break | 75% |
| Rockwell Hardness (M) | 69 |
| Thermal Properties | Metric |
| Melting Point | 190 °C |
| Thermal Conductivity | 0.259 W/m·K |
| Specific Heat Capacity (Cp) | 1255 J/kg·K |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (αL) | 3.1×10-5 - 5.1×10-5 1/°C |
| Glass Transition Temperature (Tg) | 193 °C |
| Electrical Properties | Metric |
| Relative Permittivity (@1 MHz) (εr) | 3.14 |
| Electrical Resistivity | 1016 Ω·cm |
| Dielectric Field Strength (Ed) | 166 kV/cm |
| Optical Properties | Metric |
| Refractive Index (589 nm) | 1.63 |
| Transmittance | 99% |
| Hazardous Data | Metric |
| Flammability Rating (ANSI/UL 94) | V-0 |
Unless stated otherwise, all values are taken at room temperature (approximately 20°C or 68°F) and 1 atm pressure. (1 atm = 101,325 Pa)
References: 1) Cardarelli, François. Materials Handbook: A Concise Desktop Reference. Switzerland: Springer International Publishing, 2018. 2) CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 97th Edition. United Kingdom: CRC Press, 2016-2017. 3) A.M. Howatson, P.G. Lun, J.D. Todd, P.D. Engineering Tables and Data. United Kingdom: University of Oxford, Department of Engineering Science, 2009.