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PA66 CF30 vs PA66 GF30

Polymer · PA66 grade comparison

PA66 CF30 and PA66 GF30 are two grades of the same polymer grade, PA66: CF30 (30 % carbon fiber reinforced) versus GF30 (30 % short glass fiber reinforced). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. PA66 CF30 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) against 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) for PA66 GF30, about 33% more. In exchange, PA66 GF30 is the more ductile: elongation 3% versus 1.8% for PA66 CF30. PA66 CF30 is lighter (1.28 g/cm³ vs 1.36 g/cm³ for PA66 GF30) and PA66 CF30 is stiffer (22 GPa vs 9.5 GPa). On the shop floor, PA66 CF30 welds better (very good vs good).

PA66 CF30Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.

PA66 GF30Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

PA66 CF30 vs PA66 GF30: properties

PA66 CF30PA66 GF30

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

22 GPa3.2 Msi
9.5 GPa1.4 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

240 MPa34.8 ksi
180 MPa26.1 ksi

Elongation at Break

1.8%
3%

Compressive Strength

95 MPa13.8 ksi
150 MPa21.8 ksi

Flexural Strength

320 MPa46.4 ksi
260 MPa37.7 ksi

Flexural Modulus

19 GPa2.8 Msi
8.8 GPa1.3 Msi

Izod Impact, Notched

70 J/m1.3 ft·lbf/in
105 J/m2 ft·lbf/in

Hardness, Rockwell M

85 HRM
95 HRM

Same in both: Shear Modulus 1.1 GPa0.16 Msi · Bulk Modulus 5 GPa0.65 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.39 · Yield Strength (0.2% offset) 80 MPa11.6 ksi · Compressive Modulus 2.8 GPa0.41 Msi · Shear Strength 60 MPa8.7 ksi · Fracture Toughness (K_IC) 3 MPa·√m2.7 ksi·√in · Hardness, Shore D 81 Shore D · Hardness, Rockwell R 120 HRR

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

1.28 g/cm³0.05 lb/in³
1.36 g/cm³0.05 lb/in³

Water Absorption (24 h)

1.3%
0.9%

Water Absorption (Saturation)

8.5%
5.8%

Same in both: Melting Temperature (Tm) 262°C504 °F · Glass Transition (Tg) 70°C158 °F · Refractive Index 1.53

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

0.8 W/m·K0.46 BTU/hr·ft·°F
0.31 W/m·K0.18 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

12 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F
27 µm/m·K15 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

135°C275 °F
130°C266 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa

220°C428 °F
258°C496 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa

254°C489 °F
250°C482 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 1,670 J/kg·K0.4 BTU/lb·°F · Min Service Temperature -40°C-40 °F · Vicat Softening Point (B50) 200°C392 °F · Limiting Oxygen Index 25% · Max Service Temperature (short-term) 170°C338 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Volume Resistivity

1,000 Ω·cm
1×10¹⁴ Ω·cm

Surface Resistivity

10,000 Ω
1×10¹³ Ω

Comparative Tracking Index (CTI)

600 V
550 V

Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹² Ω·m3.94×10¹⁹ µΩ·in · Dielectric Strength 22 kV/mm559 V/mil · Dielectric Constant (1 MHz) 3.4 · Dissipation Factor (1 MHz) 0.02

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 60 / 100 · UV / Weathering Resistance 30 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

38 / 100
45 / 100

Weldability

70 / 100
55 / 100

Mold Shrinkage

0.2%
0.4%

Same in both: Formability (cold) 50 / 100 · Polishability 60 / 100 · Melt Flow Rate 30 g/10 min · Processing Melt Temperature (typ.) 290°C554 °F · Mold Temperature (typ.) 80°C176 °F

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 120 MJ/kg51,591 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 6.7 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 300 L/kg35.9 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.

0.1110100123Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scalePA66

PA66 CF30 vs PA66 GF30 — frequently asked

Is PA66 CF30 stronger than PA66 GF30?

Yes. PA66 CF30 has a typical tensile strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) against 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) for PA66 GF30 — about 33% more.

Which grade does FabDigit quote by default, CF30 or GF30?

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, PA66 CF30 or PA66 GF30?

PA66 GF30, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 45/100 against 38/100 for PA66 CF30; for welding the order is PA66 CF30 first (very good, 70/100) then PA66 GF30 (good, 55/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in PA66 CF30 and PA66 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.