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CPET GF30 vs CPET HS

Polymer · CPET grade comparison

CPET GF30 and CPET HS are two grades of the same polymer grade, CPET: GF30 (30% glass-fiber reinforced crystalline PET) versus HS (heat-stabilized / high-IV extrusion grade). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. CPET GF30 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) against 62 MPa (8.99 ksi) for CPET HS, about 142% more. In exchange, CPET HS is the more ductile: elongation 60% versus 2.5% for CPET GF30. CPET HS is lighter (1.38 g/cm³ vs 1.56 g/cm³ for CPET GF30) and CPET GF30 is stiffer (9.5 GPa vs 2.8 GPa). On the shop floor, CPET HS machines more easily (good vs fair) and CPET GF30 welds better (good vs poor).

CPET GF30Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.

CPET HSChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.

CPET GF30 vs CPET HS: properties

CPET GF30CPET HS

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

9.5 GPa1.4 Msi
2.8 GPa0.41 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

150 MPa21.8 ksi
62 MPa9 ksi

Elongation at Break

2.5%
60%

Compressive Strength

85 MPa12.3 ksi
86 MPa12.5 ksi

Flexural Strength

220 MPa31.9 ksi
90 MPa13.1 ksi

Flexural Modulus

9 GPa1.3 Msi
2.7 GPa0.39 Msi

Shear Strength

50 MPa7.3 ksi
51 MPa7.4 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

4.5 MPa·√m4.1 ksi·√in
5 MPa·√m4.6 ksi·√in

Izod Impact, Notched

85 J/m1.6 ft·lbf/in
50 J/m0.94 ft·lbf/in

Hardness, Rockwell M

100 HRM
94 HRM

Same in both: Shear Modulus 1 GPa0.15 Msi · Bulk Modulus 4 GPa0.64 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.4 · Yield Strength (0.2% offset) 58 MPa8.4 ksi · Compressive Modulus 2.8 GPa0.41 Msi · Hardness, Shore D 85 Shore D · Hardness, Rockwell R 118 HRR

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

1.56 g/cm³0.06 lb/in³
1.38 g/cm³0.05 lb/in³

Same in both: Melting Temperature (Tm) 250°C482 °F · Glass Transition (Tg) 78°C172 °F · Water Absorption (24 h) 0.1% · Water Absorption (Saturation) 0.5% · Refractive Index 1.575

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

25 µm/m·K13.9 µin/in·°F
62 µm/m·K34.4 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

150°C302 °F
125°C257 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa

240°C464 °F
220°C428 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa

225°C437 °F
92°C198 °F

Vicat Softening Point (B50)

190°C374 °F
195°C383 °F

Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 0.24 W/m·K0.14 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 1,200 J/kg·K0.29 BTU/lb·°F · Min Service Temperature -40°C-40 °F · Limiting Oxygen Index 22% · Max Service Temperature (short-term) 220°C428 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹³ Ω·m3.94×10²⁰ µΩ·in · Dielectric Strength 20 kV/mm508 V/mil · Dielectric Constant (1 MHz) 3.3 · Dissipation Factor (1 MHz) 0.02 · Volume Resistivity 1×10¹⁵ Ω·cm · Surface Resistivity 1×10¹⁵ Ω · Comparative Tracking Index (CTI) 600 V

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

75 / 100
72 / 100

Same in both: UV / Weathering Resistance 40 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

45 / 100
60 / 100

Weldability

65 / 100
30 / 100

Formability (cold)

75 / 100
65 / 100

Mold Shrinkage

0.3%
2%

Melt Flow Rate

30 g/10 min
15 g/10 min

Same in both: Polishability 45 / 100 · Processing Melt Temperature (typ.) 278°C532 °F · Mold Temperature (typ.) 140°C284 °F

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 84 MJ/kg36,114 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 3 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 80 L/kg9.6 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 40%

Strength versus weight

Yield strength against density for every polymer grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.

0.1110100123Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleCPET

CPET GF30 vs CPET HS — frequently asked

Is CPET GF30 stronger than CPET HS?

Yes. CPET GF30 has a typical tensile strength of 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) against 62 MPa (8.99 ksi) for CPET HS — about 142% more.

Which grade does FabDigit quote by default, GF30 or HS?

Specify the condition in the material field or the drawing note; FabDigit prices the quote for the state you call out.

Which is easier to machine, CPET GF30 or CPET HS?

CPET HS. Its machinability rates good (60/100) against fair (45/100) for CPET GF30; for welding the order is CPET GF30 first (good, 65/100) then CPET HS (poor, 30/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in CPET GF30 and CPET HS side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.

Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.