PA6 CF20 vs PA6 GF50
Polymer · PA6 grade comparison
PA6 CF20 and PA6 GF50 are two grades of the same polymer grade, PA6: CF20 (20% short carbon fiber reinforced) versus GF50 (50% short glass fiber reinforced). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. PA6 GF50 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) against 210 MPa (30.5 ksi) for PA6 CF20, about 10% more. PA6 GF50 is the more ductile: elongation 2.5% versus 2.2% for PA6 CF20. PA6 CF20 is lighter (1.25 g/cm³ vs 1.57 g/cm³ for PA6 GF50) and PA6 CF20 is stiffer (18 GPa vs 16 GPa). On the shop floor, PA6 CF20 machines more easily (45 vs 35 out of 100).
PA6 CF20Choose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part is machined in volume.
PA6 GF50Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
PA6 CF20 vs PA6 GF50: 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
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Flexural Strength
Flexural Modulus
Izod Impact, Notched
Same in both: Shear Modulus 1.1 GPa0.15 Msi · Bulk Modulus 5 GPa0.65 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.39 · Yield Strength (0.2% offset) 75 MPa10.9 ksi · Compressive Strength 85 MPa12.3 ksi · Compressive Modulus 2.6 GPa0.38 Msi · Shear Strength 62 MPa9 ksi · Fracture Toughness (K_IC) 3.5 MPa·√m3.2 ksi·√in · Hardness, Shore D 81 Shore D · Hardness, Rockwell M 82 HRM · Hardness, Rockwell R 119 HRR
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Same in both: Melting Temperature (Tm) 220°C428 °F · Glass Transition (Tg) 58°C136 °F · Water Absorption (24 h) 1.7% · Water Absorption (Saturation) 9% · Refractive Index 1.53
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 1,700 J/kg·K0.41 BTU/lb·°F · Min Service Temperature -30°C-22 °F · Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa 170°C338 °F · Vicat Softening Point (B50) 190°C374 °F · Limiting Oxygen Index 24% · Max Service Temperature (short-term) 150°C302 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Volume Resistivity
Surface Resistivity
Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹² Ω·m3.94×10¹⁹ µΩ·in · Dielectric Strength 25 kV/mm635 V/mil · Dielectric Constant (1 MHz) 3.7 · Dissipation Factor (1 MHz) 0.025 · Comparative Tracking Index (CTI) 600 V
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 70 / 100 · UV / Weathering Resistance 30 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Same in both: Weldability 62 / 100 · Formability (cold) 60 / 100 · Polishability 55 / 100 · Mold Shrinkage 0.3% · Melt Flow Rate 15 g/10 min · Processing Melt Temperature (typ.) 260°C500 °F · Mold Temperature (typ.) 80°C176 °F
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 125 MJ/kg53,740 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 7.6 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 400 L/kg47.9 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 5%
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.
PA6 CF20 vs PA6 GF50 — frequently asked
Is PA6 GF50 stronger than PA6 CF20?
Yes. PA6 GF50 has a typical tensile strength of 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) against 210 MPa (30.5 ksi) for PA6 CF20 — about 10% more.
Which grade does FabDigit quote by default, CF20 or GF50?
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, PA6 CF20 or PA6 GF50?
PA6 CF20, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 45/100 against 35/100 for PA6 GF50.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in PA6 CF20 and PA6 GF50 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.