• 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	-

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

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)

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

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

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

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)

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)