Noryl Material — Modified PPO Plastic Sheet, Rod & Tube

Noryl is SABIC's family of modified polyphenylene oxide (PPO) + polystyrene blends — the dominant form of PPO in commercial stock shapes. Pure (neat) PPO is rarely available as machined stock; Noryl's modified PPO blends dominate the market for applications requiring excellent dimensional stability, outstanding electrical insulation, broad flame retardancy, and low moisture absorption. When engineers or buyers search for "PPO plastic" stock shapes, they almost always encounter Noryl.

At a glance:

• Noryl = SABIC's modified PPO + polystyrene blend — not pure (neat) PPO
• Continuous use temperature: 175–220°F (80–104°C) depending on grade
• Very low moisture absorption: ~0.07% at 24 hr — outstanding dimensional stability
• Excellent electrical insulation: dielectric constant 2.65, low dissipation factor
• UL 94 V-0 flame rating available (Noryl EN265 and others)
• Grades: Noryl EN265 (V-0, flame-retardant), GFN3 (30% glass-filled), 731 (general purpose)
• Forms: rod, sheet, tube

What Is Noryl and How Does It Relate to PPO?

Polyphenylene oxide (PPO, also called polyphenylene ether or PPE) is a high-performance engineering polymer with excellent thermal stability, dimensional stability, and electrical properties. However, pure PPO has a very high processing temperature (above 300°C) and is brittle, making it difficult to extrude into commercial stock shapes.

SABIC's Noryl solves this by blending PPO with polystyrene (PS) in controlled ratios. The PS reduces melt viscosity, lowers the processing temperature to a practical range, and toughens the blend. The result is a family of materials that retains most of PPO's desirable properties while being processable into rod, sheet, and tube:

• Electrical properties: Noryl's dielectric constant of ~2.65 is one of the lowest among engineering thermoplastics, and dissipation factor is extremely low — critical for RF and microwave components
• Dimensional stability: Combined with very low moisture absorption (0.07% at 24 hr), Noryl parts maintain dimensions in humid environments without the swelling seen in nylon or polycarbonate
• Flame performance: Noryl grades include UL 94 V-0 formulations without added halogen flame retardants in many cases
• Chemical resistance: Resistant to dilute acids, alkalis, and aqueous environments; attacked by aromatic and chlorinated solvents

Noryl vs Competing Electrical Insulation Plastics

Noryl's dielectric constant of 2.65 is lower than polycarbonate (2.9), acetal (3.7), and nylon (3.7–4.0) — making it the preferred choice when minimizing capacitive loading or signal distortion in electrical assemblies is required. Combined with V-0 flame rating and outstanding moisture stability, Noryl is the specification default for electrical connectors, housings, and transformer components in industrial and telecommunications applications.

For a detailed comparison, see Noryl vs polycarbonate and the Noryl comparisons page.

Noryl Material Properties

Mechanical Properties (Noryl EN265, 73°F)

Thermal Properties

For the complete properties datasheet with all grades, see Noryl properties.

Noryl Grades

The Noryl family includes dozens of injection-molding grades, but stock-shape rod, sheet, and tube are produced in a narrower set:

Noryl EN265 (UL 94 V-0, Electrical Grade)

The flagship electrical-grade stock shape. EN265 meets UL 94 V-0 flame rating without halogen. It is the standard specification for electrical component housings, transformer bobbins, connectors, and switchgear parts in stock-shape form. Color: natural (dark tan/gray).

Noryl GFN3 (30% Glass-Fiber Reinforced)

GFN3 adds 30% glass fiber to the Noryl base resin, significantly increasing tensile strength (~12,000 psi), stiffness (~900,000 psi flexural modulus), and HDT (~285°F). Used when structural rigidity or higher-temperature service is required alongside Noryl's electrical properties. Color: black.

Noryl 731 (General Purpose)

The general-purpose, unfilled Noryl grade for applications requiring Noryl's base property set (dimensional stability, electrical properties, good impact) without the halogen-free V-0 flame requirement. Lower cost than EN265. Color: natural tan.

For the detailed grade comparison including EN265 and GFN3, see the Noryl grades page.

Applications

Noryl's defining advantages — low dielectric constant, V-0 flame rating, excellent dimensional stability — drive its primary applications:

Electrical and electronic housings — Transformer bobbins, relay housings, switchgear components, and circuit breaker parts. V-0 flame rating meets UL requirements for electrical apparatus; low dielectric constant minimizes electrical losses.

Telecommunications equipment — Noryl is specified for antenna radomes, waveguide components, and communication housing components where low dielectric constant reduces signal distortion and low moisture absorption prevents dielectric property drift in humid environments.

Medical device enclosures — The combination of dimensional stability, good chemical resistance, and V-0 flame rating (relevant for electric medical devices) makes Noryl useful for instrument housings and enclosures.

Automotive electrical — Sensor housings, fluid handling components, and electrical connector housings in underhood environments where heat, moisture, and vibration are combined stresses.

Water handling and plumbing — Noryl has FDA-approved grades for potable water contact; its resistance to hydrolysis and dimensional stability in water make it suitable for pump components and valve bodies.

For detailed application guidance by sector, see Noryl applications.

Machining Noryl

Noryl machines well on CNC equipment with standard carbide tooling. Key characteristics:

• Produces cleaner, shorter chips than many engineering plastics
• No pre-drying required (moisture absorption is minimal)
• No stress relief required for most applications
• GFN3 (glass-filled) requires carbide tooling and has shorter insert life due to glass fiber abrasiveness

Key parameters:

• Turning: 400–600 SFM; 0.005–0.010 IPR; positive-rake carbide
• Milling: 200–400 SFM; 0.003–0.006 IPT chip load
• Drilling: 150–250 SFM; parabolic flute drills

Full machining guide: Noryl machining.

Compliance and Certifications

Full compliance documentation: Noryl specifications and Noryl FDA / food-grade.

More related guides

Applications

• Electrical Insulation Components
• Pump & Valve Components

Industries

• Electrical & Electronics
• Telecommunications

Compare to other materials

• Noryl vs. Polycarbonate
• PPO vs. Noryl — Understanding the Distinction
• Noryl vs. Acetal

Frequently asked questions — Noryl FAQ