spore: profile
id: pes
spore_version: 0.2
family: high-performance-polymers
name: Polyethersulfone
abbreviation: PES
role: high-performance amorphous thermoplastic (poly(oxy-1,4-phenylenesulfonyl-1,4-phenylene), sold as Ultrason E, Sumikaexcel and Sustason PES); the sulfone-only sibling of PSU
category: polymers
type: high-performance
summary: |
  Polyethersulfone (PES) is an amorphous, high-temperature thermoplastic made from a diphenol and 4,4'-dichlorodiphenyl sulfone. It has no isopropylidene (bisphenol-A) group, unlike polysulfone (PSU). BASF's Ultrason E 2010 natural grade datasheet gives a glass transition of 225 degC by DSC, a heat deflection temperature of 205 degC at 1.8 MPa, a tensile modulus of 2640 MPa, a UL relative thermal index of 180 degC, and a flame class of V-0 at 1.5 mm. Röchling's Sustason PES natural handling sheet prints the same glass transition of 225 and a thermal decomposition above 400 degC. No atomic oxygen or other flight result for PES was found in this run.
best_for: Electrical and structural parts that must keep their shape at about 205 degC (heat deflection at 1.8 MPa) and need a UL V-0 flame class at 1.5 mm
weakest_at: 'Ultraviolet light and oxygen: UV breaks the polymer chain and forms sulfonic acid groups when oxygen is present, and no PES flight or radiation result was found'
identity:
  formula: Poly(oxy-1,4-phenylenesulfonyl-1,4-phenylene), repeat unit C12H8O3S, made from a diphenol and 4,4'-dichlorodiphenyl sulfone
  cas: 25608-63-3
  source: wiki-polysulfone
  where: 'Wikipedia Polysulfone page, table ''Industrially relevant polysulfones'': PES CAS 25608-63-3 and systematic name Poly(oxy-1,4-phenylsulfonyl-1,4-phenyl). The repeat-unit formula C12H8O3S is derived by Space Mushroom from that systematic name, not printed by the source.'
  designations:
    - system: Trade name
      code: E2010
      note: Ultrason E 2010 NAT; the UL yellow card in the same PDF prints E2010 for this grade
      source: basf-e2010-nat
      where: Title block and UL yellow card table, grade E2010 (polyethersulfone pellets)
tags:
  environments: []
  stresses:
    - uv
    - extreme-heat
  applications:
    - electronics-and-chips
    - structures
properties:
  - benchmark: glass_transition_temperature
    label: Glass transition temperature, unreinforced natural grade
    value: 225
    unit: degC
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Ultrason E 2010 NAT (unreinforced, natural colour)
      method_standard: ISO 11357-1/-2, DSC at 10 degC per min
      basis: guideline value printed in a table headed 'at 23 degC' for the uncoloured product
    method: Guideline value as printed in the BASF product information (German text), row 'Glasubergangstemperatur, DSC (10 degC/min)'. The Röchling handling sheet also prints 225 for the glass transition temperature, with no unit.
    status: ground
    source: basf-e2010-nat
    where: Richtwerte table (uncoloured product), row Glasübergangstemperatur, DSC (10 degC/min), ISO 11357-1/-2
    note: The Röchling Sustason PES natural handling sheet prints the same figure, 225, in its Product characteristics section. Its unit is not printed.
  - benchmark: heat_deflection_temperature
    label: Deflection temperature under load, 1.8 MPa
    value: 205
    unit: degC
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Ultrason E 2010 NAT (unreinforced)
      load: 1.8 MPa
      method_standard: ISO 75-1/-2, method A (HDT/A)
    method: Value as printed in the BASF product information, thermal properties table, ISO 75-1/-2 HDT/A
    status: ground
    source: basf-e2010-nat
    where: Thermische Eigenschaften table, row Biegetemperatur unter Last 1.8 MPa (HDT A)
  - benchmark: max_service_temp
    label: Maximum service temperature for a few hours
    value: 220
    unit: degC
    scope: material
    conditions:
      duration: up to a few hours
      basis: BASF experience value for parts that must hold up to this temperature for a few hours, repeated over years, with material-appropriate design and processing
    method: Experience value as printed in the BASF thermal properties table (footnote 3); not a test result
    status: ground
    source: basf-e2010-nat
    where: Thermische Eigenschaften table, row Max. Gebrauchstemperatur, bis zu einigen Stunden (footnote 3)
  - benchmark: relative_thermal_index
    label: Relative thermal index, 50 percent loss of tensile strength after 20000 h
    value: 180
    unit: degC
    scope: material
    conditions:
      basis: IEC 60216 temperature index for 50 percent decrease of tensile strength after 20000 h; the footnote says some values are expected rather than measured
      flame_class: V-0 at 1.5 mm (UL yellow card E41871, ALL colours)
    method: Temperature index as printed in the BASF thermal properties table; the UL yellow card for the same grade prints relative thermal indices of 180 degC (electrical and impact) and 190 degC (strength) for 1.5 mm
    status: ground
    source: basf-e2010-nat
    where: Thermische Eigenschaften table, row Temp. Index bez. auf 50 % Zugfestigkeitsabfall nach 20000 h (IEC 60216); UL yellow card table, RTI Elec, RTI Imp
    note: Snake-case name used because no canonical name fits the IEC 60216 index. The UL yellow card also prints a strength index of 190 degC (see gaps).
  - benchmark: density
    label: Density, unreinforced natural grade
    value: 1370
    unit: kg/m3
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Ultrason E 2010 NAT (unreinforced)
      method_standard: ISO 1183
    method: Density as printed in the BASF product information, row Dichte (ISO 1183)
    status: ground
    source: basf-e2010-nat
    where: Richtwerte table (uncoloured product), row Dichte, ISO 1183
  - benchmark: moisture_absorption
    label: Water absorption at saturation in water, 23 degC
    value: 2.2
    unit: '%'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temperature: 23 degC
      medium: water
      endpoint: saturation
      method_standard: similar to ISO 62
    method: Value as printed in the BASF product information, row Wasseraufnahme, Sattigung in Wasser bei 23 degC
    status: ground
    source: basf-e2010-nat
    where: Richtwerte table (uncoloured product), row Wasseraufnahme, Sättigung in Wasser bei 23°C
  - benchmark: moisture_absorption
    label: Moisture absorption at equilibrium, standard atmosphere
    value: 0.8
    unit: '%'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temperature: 23 degC
      relative_humidity: 50 percent
      endpoint: equilibrium
      method_standard: similar to ISO 62
    method: Value as printed in the BASF product information, row Feuchtigkeitsaufnahme, Sättigung bei Normalklima 23 degC / 50 % r.F.
    status: ground
    source: basf-e2010-nat
    where: Richtwerte table (uncoloured product), row Feuchtigkeitsaufnahme, Sättigung bei Normalklima 23°C/50% r.F.
  - benchmark: elastic_modulus
    label: Tensile modulus, unreinforced natural grade
    value: 2640
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Ultrason E 2010 NAT (unreinforced)
      method_standard: ISO 527-1/-2
      temperature: 23 degC
    method: Value as printed in the BASF product information, mechanical properties table, row Zug-E-Modul (ISO 527-1/-2)
    status: ground
    source: basf-e2010-nat
    where: Mechanische Eigenschaften table, row Zug-E-Modul, ISO 527-1/-2
  - benchmark: yield_strength
    label: Yield stress, tensile, 50 mm per min
    value: 86
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Ultrason E 2010 NAT (unreinforced)
      method_standard: ISO 527-1/-2
      test_speed: 50 mm/min
      temperature: 23 degC
    method: Value as printed in the BASF product information, row Streckspannung, 50 mm/min (ISO 527-1/-2). The datasheet gives no tensile strength at break.
    status: ground
    source: basf-e2010-nat
    where: Mechanische Eigenschaften table, row Streckspannung, 50 mm/min, ISO 527-1/-2
  - benchmark: izod_impact
    label: Notched Izod impact strength, 23 degC
    value: 7.5
    unit: kJ/m2
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Ultrason E 2010 NAT (unreinforced)
      method_standard: ISO 180/A
      temperature: 23 degC
    method: Value as printed in the BASF product information, row Izod-Kerbschlagzähigkeit (23 degC), ISO 180/A
    status: ground
    source: basf-e2010-nat
    where: Mechanische Eigenschaften table, row Izod-Kerbschlagzähigkeit (23°C), ISO 180/A
  - benchmark: izod_impact
    label: Notched Izod impact strength, -30 degC
    value: 8
    unit: kJ/m2
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Ultrason E 2010 NAT (unreinforced)
      method_standard: ISO 180/A
      temperature: '-30 degC'
    method: Value as printed in the BASF product information, row Izod-Kerbschlagzähigkeit (-30 degC), ISO 180/A
    status: ground
    source: basf-e2010-nat
    where: Mechanische Eigenschaften table, row Izod-Kerbschlagzähigkeit (-30°C), ISO 180/A
  - benchmark: cte
    label: Linear thermal expansion coefficient, longitudinal, 23 to 80 degC
    value: 52
    unit: E-6/K
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temperature_range: 23 to 80 degC
      direction: longitudinal
      method_standard: ISO 11359-1/-2
    method: Value as printed in the BASF product information (52 E-6/K, the unit the source prints; the registry reads E-6/K as ppm/K)
    status: ground
    source: basf-e2010-nat
    where: Thermische Eigenschaften table, row Therm. Längenausdehnungskoeffizient, längs (23-80°C), ISO 11359-1/-2
  - benchmark: cte
    label: Linear thermal expansion coefficient, longitudinal, 180 degC
    value: 59
    unit: E-6/K
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temperature: 180 degC
      direction: longitudinal
      method_standard: DIN 53752
    method: Value as printed in the BASF product information (59 E-6/K, the unit the source prints; the registry reads E-6/K as ppm/K)
    status: ground
    source: basf-e2010-nat
    where: Thermische Eigenschaften table, row Therm. Längenausdehnungskoeffizient, längs (180°C), DIN 53752
  - benchmark: dielectric_constant
    label: Relative permittivity at 100 Hz
    value: 3.9
    unit: '-'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      frequency: 100 Hz
      method_standard: IEC 62631-2-1
    method: Value as printed in the BASF product information, electrical properties table
    status: ground
    source: basf-e2010-nat
    where: Elektrische Eigenschaften table, row Dielektrizitätszahl (100 Hz), IEC 62631-2-1
  - benchmark: dielectric_constant
    label: Relative permittivity at 1 MHz
    value: 3.8
    unit: '-'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      frequency: 1 MHz
      method_standard: IEC 62631-2-1
    method: Value as printed in the BASF product information, electrical properties table
    status: ground
    source: basf-e2010-nat
    where: Elektrische Eigenschaften table, row Dielektrizitätszahl (1 MHz), IEC 62631-2-1
  - benchmark: dissipation_factor
    label: Dielectric loss factor at 100 Hz
    value: 17
    unit: E-4
    scope: material
    conditions:
      frequency: 100 Hz
      method_standard: IEC 62631-2-1
      unit_in_source: E-4 (printed as 17)
    method: Value as printed in the BASF product information, row Dielektr. Verlustfaktor (100 Hz); the source uses a power-of-ten unit, kept as printed
    status: ground
    source: basf-e2010-nat
    where: Elektrische Eigenschaften table, row Dielektr. Verlustfaktor (100 Hz), IEC 62631-2-1
  - benchmark: dissipation_factor
    label: Dielectric loss factor at 1 MHz
    value: 140
    unit: E-4
    scope: material
    conditions:
      frequency: 1 MHz
      method_standard: IEC 62631-2-1
      unit_in_source: E-4 (printed as 140)
    method: Value as printed in the BASF product information, row Dielektr. Verlustfaktor (1 MHz); kept as printed
    status: ground
    source: basf-e2010-nat
    where: Elektrische Eigenschaften table, row Dielektr. Verlustfaktor (1 MHz), IEC 62631-2-1
  - benchmark: dielectric_strength
    label: Dielectric strength, K20/K20
    value: 37
    unit: kV/mm
    scope: material
    conditions:
      method_standard: IEC 60243-1
      specimen_treatment: K20/K20 as printed in the datasheet
    method: Value as printed in the BASF product information, row Durchschlagfestigkeit K20/K20, IEC 60243-1
    status: ground
    source: basf-e2010-nat
    where: Elektrische Eigenschaften table, row Durchschlagfestigkeit K20/K20, IEC 60243-1
  - benchmark: refractive_index
    label: Refractive index, 1 mm specimen
    value: 1.63
    unit: '-'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      specimen_thickness: 1 mm
      method_standard: ISO 489
    method: Value as printed in the BASF product information, optical properties table
    status: ground
    source: basf-e2010-nat
    where: Optische Eigenschaften table, row Brechzahl (Prüfkörperdicke = 1 mm), ISO 489
  - benchmark: melt_volume_rate
    label: Melt volume-flow rate, 360 degC and 10 kg
    value: 70
    unit: cm3/10min
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temperature: 360 degC
      load: 10 kg
      method_standard: ISO 1133
    method: Value as printed in the BASF product information, row Schmelzevolumenrate MVR 360 degC/10 kg (ISO 1133). This is a volume rate, not the g/10 min melt flow rate used for PSU.
    status: ground
    source: basf-e2010-nat
    where: Verarbeitung table, row Schmelzevolumenrate MVR 360°C/10 kg, ISO 1133
    note: Snake-case name used because no canonical name fits a volume-flow rate (see gaps).
  - benchmark: thermal_decomposition_temperature
    label: Thermal decomposition temperature, lower bound
    value: 400
    bound: lower
    unit: degC
    scope: material
    conditions:
      basis: printed as greater than 400 degC in the supplier's handling sheet; test method and heating rate not stated
    method: Printed value in the Product characteristics section of the Röchling handling sheet
    status: ground
    source: roechling-sustason
    where: Section 3 (Product characteristics), row Thermal decomposition (>400 °C)
  - benchmark: autoignition_temperature
    label: Ignition temperature, lower bound
    value: 510
    bound: lower
    unit: degC
    scope: material
    conditions:
      basis: printed as greater than 510 degC in the supplier's handling sheet; test method not stated
    method: Printed value in the Product characteristics section of the Röchling handling sheet; the sheet labels it ignition temperature
    status: ground
    source: roechling-sustason
    where: Section 3 (Product characteristics), row Ignition temperature (>510 °C)
corrosion:
  - environment: Ultraviolet light in air (laboratory photolysis of PES films and membranes, UV at 199, 260 and 315 nm)
    headline: 'UV attacks PES: chain scission dominates, and sulfonic acid groups form only where oxygen is present.'
    effect: Norrman and Krebs irradiated PES at 199, 260 and 315 nm. Sulfonic acid groups (-SO3H) formed only in an oxygen-containing atmosphere, hydroxyl groups formed at all wavelengths and in all atmospheres, and chain scission was the dominant process. In vacuum, cross-linking was important instead. The abstract gives no dose or time, so no lifetime can be derived from it.
    rating: unknown
    conditions:
      wavelengths: 199, 260 and 315 nm
      atmosphere: oxygen-containing air, and vacuum for comparison
      dose_or_time: not given in the abstract
    source: norrman-krebs-2004
    where: Abstract (Surface and Interface Analysis 36, 1542-1549, 2004)
  - environment: UV-A and UV-B photoaging of PES microplastics in water
    headline: Under UV at 365 nm, PES microplastics released more bisphenol S the hotter the water was.
    effect: Li and co-workers aged PES and polyphenylsulfone microplastics from baby bottles under UV. Hydroxyl radicals broke the ether bonds, which released bisphenol S (BPS). At 365 nm, the highest release at 50 degC was 3.2 times that at 25 degC and 1.7 times that at 35 degC. Humic acid at 10 mg/L or less increased release, and at 10 to 50 mg/L it reduced it. Absolute release concentrations are not in the abstract.
    rating: moderate
    conditions:
      wavelength: UV365 and UV254 in the study
      temperatures: 25, 35 and 50 degC
      humic_acid: 10 mg/L and 10 to 50 mg/L ranges
      material: baby-bottle-derived PES microplastic
    source: li-2022-est
    where: Abstract (Environmental Science and Technology 56, 3033-3044, 2022)
  - environment: Humid air and immersion in water (23 degC)
    headline: 'PES takes up little water: 0.8 percent at 50 percent relative humidity and 2.2 percent at saturation.'
    effect: BASF's guideline values show 0.8 percent moisture uptake at standard atmosphere (23 degC, 50 percent relative humidity) and 2.2 percent at saturation in water at 23 degC. The Ultrason range chart lists superior hydrolysis resistance among the main features. Wikipedia says polysulfones resist hydrolysis, aqueous and alkaline media, and autoclave and steam sterilisation.
    rating: low
    conditions:
      humidity: 50 percent relative humidity (standard atmosphere, 23 degC)
      immersion: saturation in water at 23 degC
      method_standard: similar to ISO 62
    source: basf-e2010-nat
    where: Richtwerte table, rows Feuchtigkeitsaufnahme and Wasseraufnahme, Sättigung
  - environment: Long-term heat in air (thermal ageing)
    headline: The IEC thermal index is 180 degC, with 50 percent strength loss after 20000 h.
    effect: BASF gives a relative temperature index of 180 degC for a 50 percent decrease in tensile strength after 20000 h (IEC 60216), and 220 degC as the maximum for a few hours. The Röchling sheet gives a thermal decomposition above 400 degC. Oxidation and chain effects at heat are not quantified beyond these figures.
    rating: low
    conditions:
      basis: IEC 60216 temperature index, 20000 h, 50 percent tensile strength decrease
      short_term: a few hours at 220 degC maximum (experience value)
    source: basf-e2010-nat
    where: Thermische Eigenschaften table, rows Temp. Index (IEC 60216), Max. Gebrauchstemperatur
  - environment: Chemical exposure (acids, alkalis, solvents, oxidants)
    headline: Resistant to dilute acids and alkalis across pH 2 to 13, but not to aromatic hydrocarbons or low-polarity solvents.
    effect: Wikipedia gives PES, as a polyarylethersulfone, as highly resistant to mineral acids, alkali and electrolytes at pH 2 to 13, and resistant to oxidising agents although it degrades over time. It is not resistant to low-polarity organic solvents or aromatic hydrocarbons, and it dissolves in dichloromethane and N-methylpyrrolidone. The article gives no concentrations or times.
    rating: unknown
    conditions:
      basis: qualitative statements in the Wikipedia article; no concentration, temperature or time given
    source: wiki-polysulfone
    where: Properties section, chemical resistance paragraph
risks:
  hazards:
    - text: 'Röchling handling sheet for Sustason PES natural: no components subject to labelling, no special risks for mankind or the environment, not classified as a hazardous good for transport, and not classified as hazardous under the European waste catalogue.'
      ghs: []
      source: roechling-sustason
      where: Sections 2, 4, 6 and 8
    - text: 'BASF product safety statement for Ultrason E 2010 (German): experience shows no harmful health effects when the product is handled and used as intended. The high processing temperatures call for care with machines, tools and melt residues. There are no harmful vapours if processing stays at or below 390 degC.'
      ghs: []
      source: basf-e2010-nat
      where: Produktsicherheit section (page 1)
  failure_risks:
    - mode: UV-driven chain scission at exposed surfaces
      trigger: UV exposure in an oxygen-containing atmosphere
      consequence: Chain scission dominates and sulfonic acid groups form, which changes the surface. The abstract gives no dose or time, so no lifetime for exposed parts can be stated.
      severity: moderate
      source: norrman-krebs-2004
      where: Abstract
    - mode: Loss of strength during long heat exposure
      trigger: Continuous heat near 180 degC
      consequence: BASF's relative thermal index is 180 degC for a 50 percent fall in tensile strength after 20000 h. Parts run near that temperature for years need design margin.
      severity: low
      source: basf-e2010-nat
      where: Thermische Eigenschaften table, IEC 60216 index
    - mode: Dimensional change from water uptake
      trigger: Immersion or long exposure to humid air
      consequence: Water uptake is 0.8 percent at 50 percent relative humidity and 2.2 percent at saturation, so parts that swell or shift dimensions need allowance for it.
      severity: low
      source: basf-e2010-nat
      where: Richtwerte table, moisture rows
  side_effects:
    - text: Overheating or long melt residence releases decomposition gases. BASF advises purging decomposed melt into the open air, cooling it quickly in water, and not dismantling a hot barrel.
      affects: Operators and the processing area
      source: basf-e2010-nat
      where: Produktsicherheit section
    - text: In a fire the product gives off carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and sulfur trioxide. Firefighters need full protective clothing and self-contained breathing apparatus.
      affects: Responders and the local air
      source: roechling-sustason
      where: Section 7 (Fire-fighting measures)
  handling:
    - text: Dry the pellets for at least 4 h at 130 to 150 degC (vacuum or dry-air dryer) before processing, because they take up moisture.
      source: basf-e2010-nat
      where: Lieferform und Lagerung
    - text: Store horizontally, dry and protected from climatic influences. Let machined parts reach room temperature, or stand them for at least 24 h under normal conditions, before machining.
      source: roechling-sustason
      where: Sections 5 (Handling and Storage)
    - text: Apply the general dust limit under the German MAK value guidelines, and provide extraction over the barrel unit.
      source: basf-e2010-nat
      where: Produktsicherheit section
  mitigations:
    - text: 'Fire: cool molten product with water spray. Suitable extinguishing media are water, foam, dry powder and CO2.'
      source: roechling-sustason
      where: Section 7 (Fire-fighting measures)
uses:
  - application: electronics-and-chips
    device: Electrical components
    example: Plabase lists the main application of Sumikaexcel PES 4101GL30, a Sumitomo grade, as electrical components.
    source: plabase-sumika-4101gl30
    where: Grade page, Main application field
  - application: structures
    device: Headlight bezel (automotive)
    example: BASF's Ultrason E, S, P range chart shows a headlight bezel and a firefighter's helmet as application pictures on its main-features page. The chart does not give the PES grade used in each picture.
    source: basf-range-chart
    where: Main features page, picture captions
supply:
  - subject: Sulfur (sulfone-group feedstock for 4,4'-dichlorodiphenyl sulfone)
    producers:
      - country: China
        share_percent: 22.6
        year: 2025
      - country: United States
        share_percent: 9.6
        year: 2025
      - country: Russia
        share_percent: 8.9
        year: 2025
      - country: Canada
        share_percent: 6
        year: 2025
    critical_lists:
      - list: USGS 2025 final list of critical minerals
        listed: false
    recycling: The USGS sulfur chapter says 2.5 to 5 million tons of spent sulfuric acid is reclaimed a year from petroleum refining. That is sulfuric acid, not elemental sulfur from polymers.
    substitutes:
      - 'USGS: substitutes for sulfur at present or anticipated prices are not satisfactory; some acids may replace sulfuric acid at higher cost.'
    source: usgs-mcs2026-sulfur
    where: 'World Production and Reserves table, production in thousand metric tons, 2025e (world total 84,000 thousand t; shares calculated by Space Mushroom: China 19,000, United States 8,100, Russia 7,500, Canada 5,000). Critical-list status: the 2025 final list (60 minerals) in usgs-critical-2025 does not include sulfur.'
gaps:
  - No atomic oxygen erosion yield for PES was found. The NASA MISSE 2 erosion table (NASA/TM-2008-215490) lists PSU, PEI and PEEK but not PES, so the PSU flight value cannot be used for PES.
  - No radiation (gamma, electron or proton) ageing number for PES was read in this run.
  - No UV ageing dose or time with a numeric property was found. Norrman and Krebs give chain-scission results without doses; the Li 2022 numbers are ratios of bisphenol S release, not PES mechanical change.
  - Supply of the diphenol used with 4,4'-dichlorodiphenyl sulfone (hydroquinone or bisphenol S) was not read. Sulfur is the only feedstock with shares in this profile.
  - PubChem GHS data for polyethersulfone (CID not read; the site returned a bot-check page) could not be read. The hazard entries come from two supplier documents and the BASF safety statement.
  - A search snippet listed H302 and H315 for poly(1,4-phenylene ether-sulfone), CAS 25667-42-9, a different CAS number. It was not read on a fetched page and is not used here.
  - The UL yellow card gives a relative thermal index of 190 degC for strength. It is not in the properties list because the canonical name for a strength index was not found in the file.
  - Melt volume-flow rate (MVR) and the IEC 60216 thermal index use snake_case names because no canonical name fits them.
  - Victrex PES and Solvay grades were not found as datasheets in this run. The Sumikaexcel 4101GL30 page (a glass-fibre-reinforced grade, density 1.6) and its values were not used as unfilled-PES values.
  - Atomic weights in the recipe are standard values, not read from a fetched page in this run.
  - Tensile strength at break, elongation at break and Charpy values at room temperature beyond the Izod rows are not in the unreinforced BASF table as printed.
  - Volume resistivity is printed as >1E13 Ohm*m in the BASF table. It is not stored because the exponent notation does not match the value format used by the checker.
sources:
  wiki-polysulfone:
    title: Polysulfone, Wikipedia (covers polyethersulfone, PES)
    id: Wikipedia article 'Polysulfone', oldid 1344791817
    url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polysulfone
    year: 2026
    kind: web
    license: CC BY-SA 4.0
  basf-e2010-nat:
    title: Produkt Information Ultrason E 2010 NAT (BASF SE, 09/2026, German text, unreinforced grade)
    id: BASF Ultrason E 2010 NAT product information, PESU
    url: https://download.basf.com/p1/8a8081c57fd4b609017fd664c4583e10/de/ULTRASON%25C2%25AE_E2010_NATURAL
    year: 2026
    kind: datasheet
    license: manufacturer datasheet, linked not reproduced
  basf-range-chart:
    title: Ultrason E, S, P (PESU, PSU, PPSU) Product Range chart (BASF)
    id: BASF product range chart, English
    url: https://download.basf.com/p1/8a8081c57fd4b609017fd65fecbd342e/en/Ultrason%3Csup%3E%C2%AE%3Csup%3E_E_S_P_%28PESU_PSU_PPSU%29_%E2%80%92_Product_Range_Range_Chart_English.pdf
    year: 2026
    kind: datasheet
    license: manufacturer brochure, linked not reproduced
  roechling-sustason:
    title: Sustason PES natural, Product Handling Information Sheet (Röchling Industrial Lahnstein)
    id: PIM-ID 591050, PIM-Code 1197-3, version 2.0, release 08/11/2024
    url: https://www.roechling.com/fileadmin/assets/50/10/Sustason%C2%AE%20PES%20natural%20%E2%80%93%20Product%20Handling%20Information%20Sheet%20(ES)%20%5B591050%5D.pdf
    year: 2026
    kind: datasheet
    license: supplier document, linked not reproduced
  plabase-sumika-4101gl30:
    title: Sumikaexcel PES 4101GL30 data page (Sumitomo Chemical), plabase
    id: plabase item page, grade 4101GL30
    url: https://en.plabase.com/plastic/items/58380483d88a67099fd45c2c
    year: 2026
    kind: datasheet
    license: distributor data page, linked not reproduced
  norrman-krebs-2004:
    title: Photodegradation of poly(ether sulphone). Part 2. Wavelength and atmosphere dependence (Norrman and Krebs)
    id: doi:10.1002/sia.1981 (Surface and Interface Analysis 36, 1542-1549)
    url: https://doi.org/10.1002/sia.1981
    year: 2004
    kind: paper
    license: publisher, linked not reproduced
  li-2022-est:
    title: Photoaging of Baby Bottle-Derived Polyethersulfone and Polyphenylsulfone Microplastics and the Resulting Bisphenol S Release
    id: doi:10.1021/acs.est.1c05812 (Environmental Science and Technology 56, 3033-3044)
    url: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.1c05812
    year: 2022
    kind: paper
    license: publisher, linked not reproduced
  usgs-mcs2026-sulfur:
    title: Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Sulfur
    id: USGS MCS 2026, February 2026
    url: https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2026/mcs2026-sulfur.pdf
    year: 2026
    kind: report
    license: public domain (USGS)
  usgs-critical-2025:
    title: About the 2025 List of Critical Minerals (USGS, final list of 60 minerals)
    id: Final 2025 List of Critical Minerals, November 2025
    url: https://www.usgs.gov/programs/mineral-resources-program/science/about-2025-list-critical-minerals
    year: 2025
    kind: web
    license: public domain (USGS)
documents:
  - title: BASF Ultrason E 2010 NAT product information (German, PESU)
    type: datasheet
    url: https://download.basf.com/p1/8a8081c57fd4b609017fd664c4583e10/de/ULTRASON%25C2%25AE_E2010_NATURAL
    year: 2026
  - title: Röchling Sustason PES natural, Product Handling Information Sheet
    type: datasheet
    url: https://www.roechling.com/fileadmin/assets/50/10/Sustason%C2%AE%20PES%20natural%20%E2%80%93%20Product%20Handling%20Information%20Sheet%20(ES)%20%5B591050%5D.pdf
    year: 2024
  - title: BASF Ultrason E, S, P product range chart
    type: datasheet
    url: https://download.basf.com/p1/8a8081c57fd4b609017fd65fecbd342e/en/Ultrason%3Csup%3E%C2%AE%3Csup%3E_E_S_P_%28PESU_PSU_PPSU%29_%E2%80%92_Product_Range_Range_Chart_English.pdf
    year: 2026
  - title: Norrman and Krebs, Photodegradation of poly(ether sulphone). Part 2
    type: paper
    url: https://doi.org/10.1002/sia.1981
    year: 2004
  - title: Li et al., Photoaging of baby bottle-derived PES and PPSU microplastics (ES&T)
    type: paper
    url: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.1c05812
    year: 2022
  - title: 'USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Sulfur'
    type: report
    url: https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2026/mcs2026-sulfur.pdf
    year: 2026
license: CC-BY-4.0
updated: '2026-10-26'
review:
  status: draft
  method: assistant
  checked_values: 22
  unreachable: 2
  caveats: 4
  note: Written by an AI assistant on 2026-10-26 from pages fetched in this run. The BASF datasheet is German and was read from a downloaded PDF; PubChem was blocked; no flight data for PES was found.
story:
  recipe:
    line: PES is made by polycondensation of a diphenol with 4,4'-dichlorodiphenyl sulfone. Wikipedia names the diphenol as bisphenol A or 1,4-dihydroxybenzene; the PES systematic name has no isopropylidene group, so the diphenol here is the hydroquinone type. The repeat unit is C12H8O3S.
    parts:
      - name: Carbon
        symbol: C
        atoms: 12
        atomic_weight: 12.011
        role: Forms the two phenylene rings of each repeat unit.
      - name: Hydrogen
        symbol: H
        atoms: 8
        atomic_weight: 1.008
        role: Four hydrogens on each phenylene ring.
      - name: Oxygen
        symbol: O
        atoms: 3
        atomic_weight: 15.999
        role: One ether oxygen and the two oxygens of the sulfone group.
      - name: Sulfur
        symbol: S
        atoms: 1
        atomic_weight: 32.06
        role: Sulfone group, which gives the polymer its rigidity and heat resistance.
  risk_groups:
    - title: For people
      level: 0
      verdict: Not classified hazardous
      lead: The handling sheet from Röchling and BASF's safety statement do not classify PES as hazardous. Dust and hot melt still need care.
      points:
        - label: The pellets
          line: The Röchling sheet lists no labelled components, no special risks and no transport hazard. BASF says there are no harmful health effects when the product is handled as intended.
        - label: Dust
          line: BASF applies the German MAK dust limit and asks for extraction over the barrel unit.
        - label: Hot melt
          line: Processing at or below 390 degC gives no harmful vapours, according to BASF. Overheating breaks the polymer down.
    - title: If the polymer overheats or burns
      lead: 'Decomposition is slow to begin: the sheet gives a thermal decomposition above 400 degC and an ignition temperature above 510 degC.'
      points:
        - label: Gases
          line: A fire gives off carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and sulfur trioxide. Firefighters need self-contained breathing apparatus.
        - label: Water
          line: Molten product should be cooled with water spray.
    - title: Handling and storage
      points:
        - label: Drying
          line: Dry the pellets for at least 4 h at 130 to 150 degC before processing.
        - label: Storage
          line: Store horizontally, dry and protected from climatic conditions.
  why: Polyethersulfone (PES) is an amorphous thermoplastic whose backbone is phenylene, ether and sulfone links, with no isopropylidene group. That makes it a sulfone-only polymer, which is why it sits alongside PSU in the polysulfone family but differs from it in its repeat unit and in its heat limit. BASF's unreinforced E 2010 grade gives a glass transition of 225 degC, a deflection temperature of 205 degC at 1.8 MPa and a tensile modulus of 2640 MPa. It was chosen for this profile because it is a heat-resistant sulfone polymer whose flame and electrical data are well documented in a manufacturer datasheet.
  uses:
    - where: Electrical components
      line: Plabase lists the main application of Sumikaexcel PES 4101GL30 as electrical components. That is a grade with a glass-fibre suffix, not the unfilled natural grade profiled here.
    - where: Vehicle parts
      line: BASF's range chart shows a headlight bezel among its application pictures for the Ultrason E, S and P family. The picture does not name a grade.
  can_do:
    - label: Heat
      benchmark: heat_deflection_temperature
      value: 205 degC
      line: BASF's unreinforced E 2010 NAT datasheet gives a deflection temperature of 205 degC at 1.8 MPa (ISO 75 HDT/A).
    - label: Glass transition
      benchmark: glass_transition_temperature
      value: 225 degC
      line: BASF's DSC value is 225 degC, and the Röchling sheet prints the same 225 for the glass transition.
    - label: Stiffness
      benchmark: elastic_modulus
      value: 2640 MPa
      line: The tensile modulus is 2640 MPa at 23 degC by ISO 527-1/-2.
    - label: Long-term heat
      benchmark: relative_thermal_index
      value: 180 degC
      line: BASF gives an IEC 60216 index of 180 degC, meaning a 50 percent fall in tensile strength after 20000 h.
  compare: 'Compared with PSU, PES has no bisphenol-A unit, so its repeat unit is smaller and more rigid in the sulfone-ether backbone. In the datasheets in this run, PES gives a deflection temperature of 205 degC at 1.8 MPa and a glass transition of 225 degC. The PSU profile has a lower deflection temperature and a different moisture figure, measured on another basis, so the two should be compared with care. Neither profile has a flight atomic oxygen value that applies to the other: PES has none in this run.'
  compare_rows:
    - label: Deflection temperature under load
      benchmark: heat_deflection_temperature
    - label: Glass transition
      benchmark: glass_transition_temperature
    - label: Tensile modulus
      benchmark: elastic_modulus
  handling:
    - Dry the pellets for 4 h at 130 to 150 degC before moulding, because they take up water.
    - Keep the material dry, horizontal and protected from the weather.
    - Do not overheat the melt above 390 degC, or it will decompose and give off gas.
    - Use dust control and extraction, and cool any burnt-off melt with water.
  good_for:
    - Parts that must hold their shape at 205 degC or more under a 1.8 MPa load, such as the electrical components and headlight bezels named in the uses section.
    - 'Flame-rated parts: BASF''s UL yellow card gives V-0 at 1.5 mm.'
    - Long-term use near 180 degC, according to BASF's IEC 60216 index.
  watch_out:
    - UV in air breaks the chains and forms sulfonic acid groups, so exposed surfaces need protection. No PES flight result was found.
    - Water uptake of 2.2 percent at saturation changes dimensions and must be allowed for in close-tolerance parts.
    - 'PES is not a space-qualified material on the evidence in this profile: no atomic oxygen or radiation result was found.'
  verdict: PES is a stiff, heat-tolerant, flame-rated sulfone thermoplastic with well-documented datasheet values. For space use it still needs UV and atomic oxygen protection, and no flight evidence was found.