HDPE vs PPE-GF30
Polymer · grade comparison
HDPE and PPE-GF30 are both polymer grades. PPE-GF30 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 120 MPa (17.4 ksi) against 28 MPa (4.06 ksi) for HDPE, about 4.3 times as much. In exchange, HDPE is the more ductile: elongation 600% versus 2.5% for PPE-GF30, and PPE-GF30 is harder (88 Shore D vs 65 Shore D). HDPE is lighter (0.96 g/cm³ vs 1.28 g/cm³ for PPE-GF30) and PPE-GF30 is stiffer (9 GPa vs 1.1 GPa). On the shop floor, HDPE machines more easily (very good vs good), HDPE welds better (excellent vs fair), and HDPE sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than PPE-GF30 (premium, $$$).
HDPEChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.
PPE-GF30Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
HDPE vs PPE-GF30: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all polymer grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all polymer grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Compressive Modulus
Flexural Strength
Flexural Modulus
Shear Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Shore D
Hardness, Rockwell R
Hardness, Rockwell M
Same in both: Izod Impact, Notched 90 J/m1.7 ft·lbf/in
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Temperature (Tm)
Glass Transition (Tg)
Water Absorption (24 h)
Water Absorption (Saturation)
Refractive Index
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa
Vicat Softening Point (B50)
Limiting Oxygen Index
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Dielectric Strength
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
Comparative Tracking Index (CTI)
Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m3.94×10²¹ µΩ·in · Volume Resistivity 1×10¹⁶ Ω·cm · Surface Resistivity 1×10¹⁵ Ω
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
UV / Weathering Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Mold Shrinkage
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)
Mold Temperature (typ.)
Same in both: Polishability 30 / 100 · Melt Flow Rate 8 g/10 min
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 0
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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | HDPE | PPE-GF30 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | — |
| Sheet metal | Yes | — |
| Injection molding | Yes | — |
| Default condition | FDA Compliant | — |
| Relative cost | $ Budget | $$$ Premium |
| Min. machined wall | 0.5 mm | — |
| Best machined surface | Ra 0.8 µm | — |
| Chrome Plating (Plastic) | Yes | — |
| EMI Shielding Coating | Yes | — |
| Painting | Yes | — |
| Soft Touch Coating | Yes | — |
| Spray Painting | Yes | — |
| UV Coating | Yes | — |
HDPE vs PPE-GF30 — frequently asked
Is PPE-GF30 stronger than HDPE?
Yes. PPE-GF30 has a typical tensile strength of 120 MPa (17.4 ksi) against 28 MPa (4.06 ksi) for HDPE — about 4.3 times as much.
Which is cheaper, HDPE or PPE-GF30?
HDPE is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while PPE-GF30 is premium ($$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which is easier to machine, HDPE or PPE-GF30?
HDPE. Its machinability rates very good (75/100) against good (55/100) for PPE-GF30; for welding the order is HDPE first (excellent, 95/100) then PPE-GF30 (fair, 45/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in HDPE and PPE-GF30 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.