PES Veradel: Properties, Uses & Cost Guide
Tensile data verified against MatWeb.com database & manufacturer datasheets · Last updated July 2026
Published: 2026-05-27
Polyethersulfone (PES), commercially known as Solvay Veradel or BASF Ultrason E, is an amorphous high-temperature engineering thermoplastic distinguished by its combination of natural transparency (light amber, translucent in thin sections),...
Polyethersulfone (PES), commercially known as Solvay Veradel or BASF Ultrason E, is an amorphous high-temperature engineering thermoplastic distinguished by its combination of natural transparency (light amber, translucent in thin sections), excellent dimensional stability, and outstanding resistance to hot water and steam—making it a preferred material for medical sterilization trays, dairy/food processing components, and hot-water plumbing manifolds. Its glass transition temperature of 225°C provides a useful continuous service range of 180°C, bridging the gap between polysulfone (PSU, 160°C) and PEEK (260°C).
PES offers superior hydrolytic stability—it withstands repeated steam autoclave cycles (134°C saturated steam) with minimal property degradation, a critical requirement for reusable medical devices. It also exhibits inherent flame retardancy (UL94 V-0 at 0.8 mm) without halogen additives. However, PES has poor resistance to polar organic solvents (ketones, esters, chlorinated solvents)—exposure to methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), acetone, or methylene chloride will cause stress cracking. PES also has relatively high melt viscosity, requiring robust injection molding machines with high injection pressure capability. Drying at 150°C for 4 hours to <0.02% moisture is essential before processing.
Recommended Applications
PES Veradel is commonly specified for:
Selection & Application Guide
PES (polyethersulfone, Veradel/Ultrason) provides 180°C continuous service temperature — 30°C higher than PSU — with similar transparency and sterilization capability. Choose PES over PSU when higher temperature is needed; over Ultem when transparency is required alongside high temperature. PES is the transparent high-temperature polymer for demanding medical and electronic applications.
Real-World Applications
PES's high HDT (210°C) resists halogen bulb temperatures in headlamp reflectors and fog light housings while maintaining dimensional stability.
PES withstands autoclave, EtO, and gamma sterilization — used for dental syringes, surgical instrument handles, and fluid handling components requiring repeated sterilization.
PES is the standard substrate for ultrafiltration and microfiltration membranes due to its chemical resistance, thermal stability, and controlled pore-forming characteristics.
PES meets FAA flammability requirements for aircraft interior panels, air ducting, and window components requiring transparency and heat resistance.
Processing & Cost Considerations
Manufacturing Tips
- PES processes at 360-390°C melt temperature with mold temperatures of 120-160°C. Processing requirements are similar to PSU but at slightly higher temperatures.
- PES must be dried at 130-150°C for 3-4 hours before processing. Moisture above 0.05% causes splay and reduces clarity and mechanical properties.
- PES has higher melt viscosity than PSU — higher injection pressures and optimized gate design are needed. Thin-wall molding requires fast fill speeds and adequate holding pressure.
PES costs $25-55/kg — more than PSU ($15-35/kg) but less than Ultem ($30-80/kg). The premium over PSU is justified when 180°C service temperature or better chemical resistance is needed. PES is often the most cost-effective transparent polymer for applications above PSU's temperature limit.
Technical Properties
| Density | 1.37 g/cm³ |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 85 MPa |
| Melting Point | N/A (Amorphous, Tg 225°C) |
| Shrinkage Rate | 0.6-0.7% |
| Flexural Modulus | 2.9 GPa |
| Hdt | 204 °C at 1.82 MPa |
| Continuous Service Temp | 180 °C |
Engineering Tool: Shrinkage & Cost Estimator
Calculate part weight, mold cavity dimensions accounting for shrinkage, and material cost — all locally in your browser.
Equivalents & Cross-References
| Equivalent / Alternate | Action |
|---|---|
| Solvay Veradel | |
| BASF Ultrason E | |
| Sumitomo SumikaExcel PES |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is PES preferred over polycarbonate (PC) for medical sterilizable parts?
Polycarbonate has a glass transition of only 147°C and undergoes significant embrittlement and yellowing after 50-100 autoclave cycles at 134°C—the amorphous structure hydrolyzes, reducing molecular weight and impact resistance. PES (Tg 225°C) withstands 1000+ autoclave cycles with minimal property change because its sulfone backbone (-SO₂-) is inherently hydrolysis-resistant. Additionally, PES meets the ISO 10993 biocompatibility standard for prolonged patient contact (>30 days), while PC is generally limited to short-term contact (<24 hours). The tradeoff: PES costs approximately 3-5× more than medical-grade PC and requires higher processing temperatures (340-380°C vs 280-310°C for PC).
How does PES compare to PSU?
PES offers 30°C higher continuous service temperature (180°C vs 150°C for PSU), better chemical resistance to polar solvents, and higher strength at elevated temperature. PSU has slightly better hydrolysis resistance and is less expensive. Choose PES when temperature exceeds PSU's capability; PSU for standard sterilization applications.
Is PES suitable for membrane filtration?
Yes. PES is one of the most common membrane materials for ultrafiltration and microfiltration. Its controlled phase-inversion behavior creates uniform pore structures, and its chemical resistance allows cleaning with caustic solutions. PES membranes are used in water treatment, bioprocessing, and food/beverage applications.
Can PES be used for electrical applications?
Yes. PES has excellent dielectric properties (dielectric strength 16 kV/mm) and high CTI value (>175V). It is used for high-temperature electrical connectors, coil bobbins, and switchgear components. PES inherently achieves UL94 V-0 at 0.4mm without flame retardant additives.
How does PES compare to Ultem?
PES provides 180°C continuous service vs Ultem's 170°C, and PES is transparent amber while Ultem is more amber/opaque. Ultem has better processability (wider processing window) and lower cost. PES has better chemical resistance to automotive fluids. Choose PES for transparency and temperature; Ultem for cost and ease of processing.
What is the difference between Veradel and Ultrason PES?
Veradel (Solvay/Quadra) and Ultrason E (BASF) are both PES resins with similar base properties. Veradel offers more specialty grades including low-extractable medical and high-purity semiconductor grades. Ultrason has broader availability in Europe. Both meet the same ASTM and ISO standards for PES.
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References & Industry Standards
- ASTM International. Standard Specifications for Engineering Plastics & Thermoplastics. astm.org
- UL Prospector. Plastics & Elastomers Material Database. ulprospector.com
- MatWeb. Material Property Data for Engineering Thermoplastics. matweb.com
- ISO 1043. Plastics — Symbols and Abbreviated Terms. iso.org