Chemical Stabilities

  • PES is not susceptible to hydrolysis.
  • Please note that PES may be affected by strong acids.
  • SUMIKAEXCEL PES has outstanding chemical resistance among most amorphous polymers. However, precautions must be taken according to the actual usage conditions. Some organic chemicals such as ketones and esters may cause stress cracking. In addition, please note that PES does dissolve in highly polar solvents such as dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), aromatic amines, nitrobenzene, and some chlorinated hydrocarbons (e.g., dichloromethane, chloroform).
  • PES possesses excellent resistance to aliphatic hydrocarbons, alcohols, some types of chlorinated hydrocarbons, certain aromatic chemical agents, oil and grease. Furthermore, depending upon conditions of actual usage, PES is not usually affected by most bleaches and disinfectants.
  • However, chemical effects should be evaluated based on actual conditions prior to usage.

Annealing

Residual stress can be relieved in moldings through annealing, which is good for improving chemical resistance. This is easy to confirm by immersing it in toluene or methyl ethyl ketone (MEK).

Hot Water Resistance

SUMIKAEXCEL PES is not susceptible to hydrolysis, thus enabling its usage in hot water and steam having a high temperature of 160°C. However, attentions must be given to potential changes in its properties that may occur due to the absorption of water.

Table 3-5-1 Resistance in Hot Water and under Load (Hot Water 90°C)

  Stress (MPa)
13 20 26 33 40
SUMIKAEXCEL PES 4100G R56.5 R20.2 R15.3 R12.5 -
4800G 989.6 R65.5 R18.7 - -
4101GL30 (GF30%) - - 987.3 732.5 R25.5
PPS (GF40%) - - R130 R87 -

R56.5: Ruptured after 56.5 hours [R = ruptured].
In 4100G, cracking occurred in 56.5 hours under 13MPa load.
In 4101GL30, no problem up to 987.3 hours under 26MPa load.
(Does not mean that cracking occurs after 987.3 hours)

Table 3-5-2 Hot Water Resistance at 140°C (4100G)

Period (weeks) Tensile strength (MPa) Rate of change (%) Charpy impact strength
(kJ/m2)
Rate of change (%)
Control 81 100 39 100
2 88 108 18 46
7 93 114 14 35
14 92 113 14 34
29 81 100 14 37
42 84 104 15 39
  • Steam Sterilization at 140°C
    The tensile strength of PES does not change at all, even after steam sterilization has been performed at 140°C for 24 hours. A 1% increase in weight occurred during this time.

* 4800G, with high molecular weight, possesses greater resistance to severe hot water conditions than 4100G.

Chemical Resistance

PES is resistant to oils such as gasoline and engine oil, grease, and cleaning solvents such as chlorothene and fluorocarbon. However, it is affected by polar solvents such as acetone and chloroform, so care should be taken when using them. On the other hand, it has the best stress cracking resistance of all amorphous polymers. It is also resistant to alkalis and acids even under high temperatures.

Table 3-5-3 Chemical Resistance and Stress Cracking Resistance

  Immersion test Stress cracking resistance test
4800G 4800G Polysulfone
Ammonia A - -
50% Caustic soda A - -
Concentrated hydrochloric acid A - -
10% Nitric acid A - -
Concentrated nitric acid C - -
Hydrogen peroxide solution A - -
Benzene A a c
Xylene B a c
Acetone C c c
Methyl ethyl ketone C c c
Heptane A a a
Cyclohexane A a a
Glycerin A a a
Ethylene glycol A a a
Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) A a a
Gasoline A a b
Ethyl acetate C b c

A: No effect
B: Some effect
C: Unfit for use
a: Can be used, except under large loads
b: Can only be used when the load is small
c: Unfit for use

Table 3-5-4 Change in Weight and Tensile Strength When Immersed in Inorganic Chemicals

Chemical name Grade Temperature
(°C)
Weight change Tensile strength change (%) Remarks
Immersion
time
Weight
change
Immersion time (days)
(days) (%) 14 30 90 180 360
Water 4100G Room temperature 1 0.43 - -17.7 -16.6 -21.1 - -
Water 4100G 50 - - - -13.5 -13.1 -17.7 - -
Water 4100G 100 - - 7.0 7.4 9.8 9.2 9.5 -
10% Hydrochloric acid 4100G Room temperature 180 1.95 -15.6 -14.9 -17.8 -21.1 - -
Concentrated hydrochloric
acid
4100G Room temperature 180 2.19 - -6.3 -12.2 -21.1 - -
15% Hydrochloric acid 4100G 90 - - - - -40.0 -49.0 -53.0 Significant crazing occurs
10% Sulfuric acid 4100G Room temperature 180 1.82 - -13.2 -17.7 -23.4 - -
50% Sulfuric acid 4100G 60 14 -0.39 6.3 - - - - -
50% Sulfuric acid 4101GL30 60 14 -0.20 - - - - - -
Concentrated sulfuric acid 4100G Room temperature - - - - - - - Dissolves
25% Sulfuric acid 4100G 90 - - - - 2.0 3.0 7.0 -
40% Sulfuric acid 4100G 60 14 -0.55 - - - - - -
40% Phosphoric acid
40% Sulfuric acid 4101GL30 60 14 -0.37 - - - - - -
40% Phosphoric acid
10% Sulfuric acid 4100G Room temperature 180 2.27 - - - - - -
Concentrated nitric acid 4100G Room temperature - - - - - - - Dissolves
5% Nitric acid 4100G 90 - - - - 0.0 -29.0 -24.0 Slight crazing occurs
10% Caustic soda 4100G Room temperature 180 1.79 - -13.9 -18.2 -22.3 - -
Sodium saturated
causticum
4100G Room temperature 180 0.82 - -4.8 -11.0 -14.2 - -
5% Caustic soda 4100G 90 - - - - 3.0 2.0 6.1 -
Saturated potassium
chloride
4100G Room temperature 120 1.46 - - - - - -
Saturated sodium
hypochlorite
4100G Room temperature 180 1.42 - -9.8 -15.8 -19.6 - -
25% Saturated sodium
hypochlorite
4100G 90 - - - -10.0 -9.0 -6.0 - -
10% Ammonium hydroxide 4100G Room temperature 120 1.63 - - - - - -
Hydrogen peroxide solution 4100G Room temperature 120 2.52 - -9.8 - - - -
Chlorinated bromine
water (PH4)
4100G 90 30 0.33 - -1.0 - - - -
5% Alum 4100G 90 - - - - -8.0 -11.0 -12.0 Slight crazing occurs
Sulfurous acid gas 4100G Room temperature 180 8.49 - -15.0 - -34.0 - -
Nitrogen dioxide 4100G Room temperature 180 1.19 - -4.5 - -4.5 - -
Sulfur hexafluoride 4100G Room temperature 30 -0.11 - 2.4 - - - -
Chlorine (Cl2) 4100G Room temperature 28 0.47 - -62.8 - - - Cracking occurs

Organic Chemical Resistance

Stress Cracking Resistance

The condition of a tensile impact test piece (1.6mm thick) after immersion in each chemical for up to 20 minutes under a constant load is shown using the legend.

Table 3-5-5 Stress Cracking Resistance 1

Stress 10MPa
Polyethersulfone Polysulfone Polycarbonate Modified PPO
4100G 4800G 4101GL30 Unreinforced Unreinforced Unreinforced
Acetone R1S R4S 20 R2S R1S 20
Methyl ethyl ketone R1S R2S 20 R1S 20 R18
Cyclohexanone R1S R19S 20 20 20 D
Benzene C20 20 20 R1S R4 D
Toluene 20 20 20 R1S R11 D
Xylene 20 20 20 R4S R15 D
Trichloroethylene C20 C20 20 D 20 D
1.1.1-Trichloroethane (Chlorothene) 20 20 20 R8S R3 D
Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) 20 20 20 SLC20 R6S D
1.2-Dichloroethane R1S R1S 20 D D D
Perchloroethylene 20 20 20 C20 R1S D
Chloroform R1S R1S 20 D D D
Trichlorotrifluoroethane 20 20 20 20 20 D
Methanol 20 20 20 20 20 20
Ethanol 20 20 20 20 20 20
n-butanol 20 20 20 20 20 20
Ethylene glycol 20 20 20 20 20 20
2-Ethoxyethanol C20 SLC20 20 C20 R17 20
Propane-1.2-diol 20 20 20 20 20 20
Heptane 20 20 20 20 20 20
Ethyl acetate R315 C20 20 R3S 20 20
Diethyl ether C20 SLC20 20 C20 R1 20
Carbon dioxide 20 20 20 R8S R1S D
Gasoline 20 20 20 20 C20 20
Light oil 20 20 20 20 20 20
(Legend) 20 ...After 20 minutes of immersion, no changes at all were observed in the test piece.
C20 ...After 20 minutes of immersion, crazing occurred on the test piece.
SLC20 ...After 20 minutes of immersion, slight crazing occurred on the test piece.
R8 ...After 8 minutes of immersion, the test piece ruptured.
R2S ...After 2 seconds of immersion, the test piece ruptured.
D ...The test piece dissolved.

Table 3-5-5 Stress Cracking Resistance 2

Stress 19MPa
Polyethersulfone Polysulfone Polycarbonate Modified PPO
4100G 4800G 4101GL30 Unreinforced Unreinforced Unreinforced
Acetone R1S R3S 20 R2S R1S 20
Methyl ethyl ketone R1S R1S 20 R1S R5 R20S
Cyclohexanone R1S R5S 20 D D D
Benzene R2 C20 20 R1S R3 D
Toluene R6 C20 20 R1S R3 D
Xylene 20 20 20 R2S R11 D
Trichloroethylene R6 R11 20 D R17 D
1.1.1-Trichloroethane (Chlorothene) 20 20 20 R3S R1 D
Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) 20 20 20 R3 R3S D
1.2-Dichloroethane R1S R1S 20 D D D
Perchloroethylene 20 20 20 R8 R1S D
Chloroform R1S R1S 20 D D D
Trichlorotrifluoroethane 20 20 20 20 20 D
Methanol 20 20 20 20 20 20
Ethanol 20 20 20 20 20 20
n-butanol 20 20 20 C20 C20 20
Ethylene glycol 20 20 20 20 20 20
2-Ethoxyethanol C20 C20 20 C20 R10 20
Propane-1.2-diol 20 20 20 20 20 20
Heptane 20 20 20 20 SLC20 R19
Ethyl acetate R17S R7 20 R1S R4 20
Diethyl ether C20 C20 20 R7 R1 R15
Carbon dioxide 20 20 20 R5S R1S D
Gasoline 20 20 20 C20 R3 R1
Light oil 20 20 20 20 20 20
(Legend) 20 ...After 20 minutes of immersion, no changes at all were observed in the test piece.
C20 ...After 20 minutes of immersion, crazing occurred on the test piece.
SLC20 ...After 20 minutes of immersion, slight crazing occurred on the test piece.
R8 ...After 8 minutes of immersion, the test piece ruptured.
R2S ...After 2 seconds of immersion, the test piece ruptured.
D ...The test piece dissolved.

Solubility

PES is a polar polymer that dissolves in polar solvents. PES solubility is important for paint and coating applications and for adhesion of solvents. Solvents for PES are as follows: dimethylsulfoxide, N,N-dimethylformamide, N-methylpyrrolidone, and dimethylacetamide.

Changes in Weight and Tensile Strength

Table 3-5-6 indicates the weight changes that occur when PES is immersed in various organic chemicals. Although the weight of PES will change over a range of -0.5% to 2% when immersed in non-solvent chemicals, depending on the temperature and time of immersion, the dimensions themselves remain unchanged. When immersed in weak solvents, PES generally softens and swells, with its weight changing significantly.

Table 3-5-6 Changes in Weight and Tensile Strength When Immersed in Organic Chemicals (4100G)

Chemical name Grade Temperature
(°C)
Weight change Change in tensile strength Remarks
Immersion
time
(days)
Weight
change
(%)
Immersion time (days)
7 30 90 180 360
25% Acetic acid 4100G 90 - - - - -3.00 -27.00 -42.00 Crazing occurs after 360 days
Glacial acetic acid Room temperature 30 0.31 - - - - - -
5% Phenol Room temperature 90 6.66 -29.70 -35.70 -45.80 - - -
Hydrazine anhydride Room temperature 14 3.50 - - - - - Softens
Benzene Room temperature 180 1.48 -3.20 -3.10 -8.60 -13.50 - -
Xylene Room temperature 7 0.49 - - - - - -
Heptane Room temperature 180 0.21 -0.80 -1.00 -5.80 -10.00 - -
Cyclohexane Room temperature 120 0.12 - - - - - -
Methanol Room temperature 14 2.09 - - - - - -
Ethanol Room temperature 180 1.46 -2.20 -5.00 -13.60 -18.70 - -
Ethylene glycol Room temperature 120 0.53 - - - - - -
Propylene glycol 100 14 -0.36 - - - - - -
Glycerin 150 14 0.06 - - - - - -
White spirit 130 7 -0.51 +21.90 - - - - Slight cracking
Ethyl acetate Room temperature 60 10.70 - - - - - Softens
Amyl acetate Room temperature 120 -0.08 - - - - - -
Diethyl ether Room temperature 120 2.91 - - - - - -
Carbon tetrachloride
(CCl4)
Room temperature 180 0.44 -0.40 -0.30 -6.40 -11.30 - -
1.1.1-Trichloroethane
(Chlorothene)
Room temperature 120 1.01 -10.20 -19.20 -32.80 -51.60 - -
Genklene Room temperature 120 1.13 - - - - - -
Perchloroethylene Room temperature 120 0.78 - - - - - -
North Sea Gas Room temperature 180 0.01 - -0.34 - 0.20 - -
Ethylene oxide Room temperature 190 7.59 - -14.00 - -39.10 - Cracking occurs at a stress of 140kg/cm2
Propylene gas Room temperature 180 0.21 - - - -0.11 - -

Cleaning solvents

When coating or bonding with PES, it is often necessary to remove grease, oils, and parting agents from the surface of moldings. For this purpose, the usage of certain cleaning solvents, such as acetone and methyl ethyl ketone, should be avoided. Table 3-5-7 indicates the effects of cleaning solvents on 4100G.

Table 3-5-7 Effect of Cleaning Solvents (4100G)

Cleaning solvent (under reflux) Time (minutes) Hardness (initial value=98) Weight increase (%)
Arklone P 2 98 0
10 98 0
30 98 0
Arklone L 2 98 0
10 98 0
30 98 0
Genklene 2 98 0
10 98 0
30 98 0
Trinklone A 2 98 0
10 98 1
30 98 1
Trinklone N 2 98 1
10 Surface cracking occurs 1
30 Surface cracking occurs 2
Perchloroethylene 2 98 0
10 98 0
30 98 0
Methylene chloride 2 98 3
10 Dissolves
30 Dissolves

Oil , Gasoline, and Transmission Fluid Resistance

Table 3-5-8 Weight Changes in Oils or Gasoline (4100G)

Environment Immersion time (days) Temperature (°C) Weight change (%)
Linseed oil 180 Room temperature 0.63
Deep Frying Oil 2 180 -0.10
Silicone oil (ICI 190) 180 Room temperature 0.37
Veedol ATF 3433 (Transmission oil) 365 130 0.38
Castrol ATF 90 160 -0.55
Shell Diala trans oil 180 Room temperature 0.30
Castrol ATF Solvent flushing Oil 90 Room temperature 0.50
Duckhamz 20/50 oil 90 160 2.84
Gunk 90 Room temperature 0.55
98-octane gasoline 180 Room temperature 0.60
3 Star petrol 90 Room temperature 0.20
ASTMll Oil 7 Room temperature 0

Figure 3-5-1 Change in Mechanical Properties in Transmission Oil (4100G)

Figure 3-5-1 Change in Mechanical Properties in Transmission Oil (4100G)

(Immersion conditions)
Transmission oil VEEDOL ATF
Temperature: 130°C

Table 3-5-9 Stress Cracking Resistance in Gasoline (Room Temperature)

Grade Environment Stress (MPa)
9 19 28 37
4100G Diesel gasoline 20 20 20 20
4100G 97-octane gasoline 20 20 SLC20 C20
4100G 100-octane gasoline 20 R270h C20 R19
4100G Paraffin 2110h 2110h 2110h 2110h
4101GL30 97-octane gasoline 20 20 20 20
4101GL30 100-octane gasoline 360h 360h 20 20
R : Crack
C : Crazing
SLC : Slight crazing
h : Hour, minutes if there is no particular unit
(Legend) 20 : No problem for 20 minutes
R270h : Cracks occurred at 270 hours
2110h : No problem until 2,110 hours

Table 3-5-10 Stress Cracking Resistance in Oil (Vactralite Oil) (100°C)

Grade Notch radius
(mm)
Stress (MPa)
5 10 20 25 30 40
4100G 0.01 2000h R150h - - - -
4100G 0.25 2300h R110h - - - -
4100G 0.50 - 1450h R330h - - -
4100G 1.00 - 2000h 2000h - 3000h R790h
4100G 2.50* - - 2300h - 2000h R700h
4101GL20 0.50 - - - 1632h R460h R160h

*Mold notch
(Items without an asterisk (*) are machine notched.)

(Legend) 20 : No problem for 20 minutes
R270h : Cracks occurred at 270 hours
2110h : No problem until 2,110 hours

Table 3-5-11 Stress Cracking Resistance in Turbine Oil (160°C)

Grade Oil Notch radius
(mm)
Stress (MPa)
10 20 30 40
4800G Aeroshell 555 2.5 3000h R1h - -
4101GL20 Aeroshell 555 0.5* 250h R3h - -
4101GL30 Aeroshell 555 2.5 - 3700h - -
4800G Esso Turbo 2380 2.5 3200h - - -
4101GL30 Esso Turbo 2380 2.5 - - 1650h R2h
4800G Esso Turbo 2389 2.5 1400h R20h - -

*Mold notch
(Items without an asterisk (*) are machine notched.)

(Legend) 20 : No problem for 20 minutes
R270h : Cracks occurred at 270 hours
2110h : No problem until 2,110 hours

Table 3-5-12 Effects of Oil Immersion on Mechanical Properties (4800G)

Oil type Temperature (°C) Immersion time (weeks)
2 4 6 16 32 52
Mineral oil 100 + + + + + +
120 + + + + 0 0
140 + 0 0 0 0
Synthetic hydrocarbon oil 100 + + + + 0 0
120 + + + + 0 0
140 0 0 0 0 -
Silicone oil Dimethyl 120 + + + + 0 0
160 + 0 0 0 0 0
Methylphenyl 120 + + + + + +
140 + + + 0 0
160 + 0 0 0 0 0
180 + 0 - - - -
Chlorophenyl 160 0 0 0 0 0 0
180 - - - - - -
200 - - - - - -
Ester oil Diester 120 + + + + 0 0
Polyester 120 + + 0 0 - -
160 0 0 - - - -
180 0 - - - - -
Polyglycol oil 100 + + + + + +
120 + + + 0 0 0
140 0 0 0 0 0
Fluorinated alkylether oil 180 0 0 0 - - -
200 - - - - - -
Water-soluble oil emulsion 80 0 0 0 0 - -
Mineral base oil + Thickener (a) Calcium soap 80 + + 0 0 0 0
(b) Lithium soap 120 + 0 0 - - -
(c) Lithium lead soap 120 0 0 0 0 - -
(d) Calcium complex soap 120 + + + + + -
(e) Sodium synthetic soap 120 0 0 0 - - -
(f) Polyurea 120 0 0 0 0 - -
Diester + Lithium soap 120 + + + + 0 0
Silicone base oil Dimethyl + Denatured amide 120 + 0 0 0 0 0
Methylphenyl + Lithium soap 120 + + + + 0 0
140 + + + +
160 + + 0 0

(Legend)

+ Resistance Excellent Retention 75% or greater
0 Good 50% or greater
- Fail Less than 50%

Table 3-5-13 Stress Cracking Resistance under Constant Strain in Turbine Oils (4800G)

Oil Temperature
Room
temperature
150°C 160°C
Deformation
3% 2% 1% 0%
Aeroshell 500 0.05 R5 0.15 15
Aeroshell 555 5 R5 15* 15
Aeroshell 750 5 R5 15 -
Castrol 580 5 R5 15 -
Esso Turbo 25 5 R5 25 -
Esso Turbo 274 5 R5 R25** 15
Esso Turbo 2380 5 R5 R25** 15
Esso Turbo 2389 5 R5 - -
20 : No problem for 20 minutes
(Legend)
* Surface cracking occurred parallel to the resin flow direction.
** Cracking did not occur during a 25-minute exposure.

Bleach and Liquid Disinfectant Resistance

PES is not affected by most bleaches and liquid disinfectants, unless they are in highly concentrated form. After being immersed in liquid disinfectant, molded PES products must be rinsed water. If further sterilization is required, steam or dry heat can be applied.

Table 3-5-14 Effects of Bleaches and Liquid Disinfectants (4100G)

Solution Weight change (%) Tensile strength change (%)
10% Lissapol N 1.46 -11.6
2% lvisol 1.35 -14.6
0.5% Gevisol 1.40 -14.8
2% Instrusan 1.42 -15.6
1% Bentenol 1.30 -13.6
1% Soilay 901-SD 1.36 -14.7
Household bleach 1.27 -
Conditions: Immersed for a period of 1 month at room temperature
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