PA612 GF30 vs PA612 NAT-DAM
Polymer · PA612 grade comparison
PA612 GF30 and PA612 NAT-DAM are two grades of the same polymer grade, PA612: GF30 (30 % glass-fibre reinforced) versus NAT-DAM (unfilled natural, dry-as-moulded). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. PA612 GF30 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 155 MPa (22.5 ksi) against 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) for PA612 NAT-DAM, about 158% more. In exchange, PA612 NAT-DAM is the more ductile: elongation 120% versus 3.5% for PA612 GF30. PA612 NAT-DAM is lighter (1.07 g/cm³ vs 1.31 g/cm³ for PA612 GF30) and PA612 GF30 is stiffer (8.8 GPa vs 2.1 GPa). On the shop floor, PA612 NAT-DAM machines more easily (very good vs fair) and PA612 NAT-DAM welds better (very good vs good).
PA612 GF30Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
PA612 NAT-DAMChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.
PA612 GF30 vs PA612 NAT-DAM: 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
Compressive Strength
Flexural Strength
Flexural Modulus
Shear Strength
Izod Impact, Notched
Hardness, Rockwell M
Same in both: Shear Modulus 0.78 GPa0.11 Msi · Bulk Modulus 4 GPa0.51 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.39 · Yield Strength (0.2% offset) 58 MPa8.4 ksi · Compressive Modulus 2 GPa0.29 Msi · Hardness, Shore D 79 Shore D · Hardness, Rockwell R 115 HRR
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Same in both: Melting Temperature (Tm) 218°C424 °F · Glass Transition (Tg) 48°C118 °F · Water Absorption (24 h) 0.3% · Water Absorption (Saturation) 2.7% · 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. @ 0.45 MPa
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 1,700 J/kg·K0.41 BTU/lb·°F · Min Service Temperature -40°C-40 °F · Vicat Softening Point (B50) 185°C365 °F · Limiting Oxygen Index 24% · Max Service Temperature (short-term) 160°C320 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹² Ω·m3.94×10¹⁹ µΩ·in · Dielectric Strength 28 kV/mm711 V/mil · Dielectric Constant (1 MHz) 3.1 · Dissipation Factor (1 MHz) 0.02 · Volume Resistivity 1×10¹⁵ Ω·cm · Surface Resistivity 1×10¹⁴ Ω · Comparative Tracking Index (CTI) 600 V
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 72 / 100 · UV / Weathering Resistance 35 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Mold Shrinkage
Same in both: Formability (cold) 60 / 100 · Polishability 55 / 100 · 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) 130 MJ/kg55,890 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 7.5 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 350 L/kg41.9 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 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.
PA612 GF30 vs PA612 NAT-DAM — frequently asked
Is PA612 GF30 stronger than PA612 NAT-DAM?
Yes. PA612 GF30 has a typical tensile strength of 155 MPa (22.5 ksi) against 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) for PA612 NAT-DAM — about 158% more.
Which grade does FabDigit quote by default, GF30 or NAT-DAM?
NAT-DAM is the default PA612 condition in the FabDigit quote flow. The other condition is available on request or by drawing note — specify it in the material field or the part notes and the quote is priced for it.
Which is easier to machine, PA612 GF30 or PA612 NAT-DAM?
PA612 NAT-DAM. Its machinability rates very good (72/100) against fair (45/100) for PA612 GF30; for welding the order is PA612 NAT-DAM first (very good, 70/100) then PA612 GF30 (good, 55/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in PA612 GF30 and PA612 NAT-DAM 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.