FabDigitFabDigit

PBT ESD vs PBT GF30

Polymer · grade comparison

PBT ESD and PBT-GF30 are both polymer grades, compared here in the ESD condition. PBT-GF30 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) against 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) for PBT ESD, about 117% more. In exchange, PBT ESD is the more ductile: elongation 5% versus 3% for PBT-GF30. PBT ESD is lighter (1.35 g/cm³ vs 1.53 g/cm³ for PBT-GF30) and PBT-GF30 is stiffer (10 GPa vs 3.4 GPa). On the shop floor, PBT ESD machines more easily (66 vs 55 out of 100) and PBT ESD welds better (good vs fair).

PBT ESDChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.

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

PBT ESD vs PBT-GF30: properties

PBT ESDPBT-GF30

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

3.4 GPa0.49 Msi
10 GPa1.5 Msi

Shear Modulus

0.93 GPa0.13 Msi
3.6 GPa0.52 Msi

Bulk Modulus

4 GPa0.61 Msi
—

Poisson's Ratio

0.4
0.38

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

60 MPa8.7 ksi
130 MPa18.9 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

60 MPa8.7 ksi
—

Elongation at Break

5%
3%

Compressive Strength

90 MPa13.1 ksi
130 MPa18.9 ksi

Compressive Modulus

2.4 GPa0.35 Msi
8.5 GPa1.2 Msi

Flexural Strength

95 MPa13.8 ksi
200 MPa29 ksi

Flexural Modulus

3.2 GPa0.46 Msi
9 GPa1.3 Msi

Shear Strength

48 MPa7 ksi
60 MPa8.7 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

2.2 MPa·√m2 ksi·√in
3.5 MPa·√m3.2 ksi·√in

Izod Impact, Notched

30 J/m0.56 ft·lbf/in
90 J/m1.7 ft·lbf/in

Hardness, Shore D

84 Shore D
85 Shore D

Hardness, Rockwell M

80 HRM
90 HRM

Same in both: Hardness, Rockwell R 120 HRR

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

1.35 g/cm³0.05 lb/in³
1.53 g/cm³0.06 lb/in³

Glass Transition (Tg)

55°C131 °F
50°C122 °F

Water Absorption (24 h)

0.09%
0.06%

Water Absorption (Saturation)

0.45%
0.35%

Same in both: Melting Temperature (Tm) 225°C437 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

0.3 W/m·K0.17 BTU/hr·ft·°F
0.25 W/m·K0.14 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

1,500 J/kg·K0.36 BTU/lb·°F
1,400 J/kg·K0.33 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

80 µm/m·K44.4 µin/in·°F
25 µm/m·K13.9 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

110°C230 °F
130°C266 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa

160°C320 °F
215°C419 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa

70°C158 °F
207°C405 °F

Vicat Softening Point (B50)

180°C356 °F
200°C392 °F

Max Service Temperature (short-term)

160°C320 °F
190°C374 °F

Same in both: Min Service Temperature -40°C-40 °F · Limiting Oxygen Index 22%

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

1,000 Ω·m3.94×10¹⁰ µΩ·in
1×10¹⁴ Ω·m3.94×10²¹ µΩ·in

Dielectric Strength

23 kV/mm584 V/mil
30 kV/mm762 V/mil

Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)

3.1
3.7

Volume Resistivity

100,000 Ω·cm
1×10¹⁶ Ω·cm

Surface Resistivity

1,000,000 Ω
1×10¹⁵ Ω

Comparative Tracking Index (CTI)

600 V
550 V

Same in both: Dissipation Factor (1 MHz) 0.02

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

80 / 100
82 / 100

UV / Weathering Resistance

35 / 100
30 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

66 / 100
55 / 100

Weldability

55 / 100
45 / 100

Formability (cold)

22 / 100
10 / 100

Polishability

55 / 100
30 / 100

Mold Shrinkage

1.2%
0.4%

Melt Flow Rate

14 g/10 min
20 g/10 min

Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)

250°C482 °F
260°C500 °F

Mold Temperature (typ.)

70°C158 °F
80°C176 °F

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

105 MJ/kg45,142 BTU/lb
85 MJ/kg36,543 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

5 kg CO₂/kg
4.4 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

250 L/kg30 gal/lb
200 L/kg24 gal/lb

Same in both: 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 scalePBT

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityPBT ESDPBT-GF30
Injection moldingYes—
Default conditionUnfilled—
Relative cost$$ Standard$$ Standard
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——
Chrome Plating (Plastic)Yes—
EMI Shielding CoatingYes—
Soft Touch CoatingYes—
Spray PaintingYes—
UV CoatingYes—

PBT ESD vs PBT-GF30 — frequently asked

Is PBT-GF30 stronger than PBT ESD?

Yes. PBT-GF30 has a typical tensile strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) against 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) for PBT ESD — about 117% more.

Which is cheaper, PBT ESD or PBT-GF30?

Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$, standard); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.

Which is easier to machine, PBT ESD or PBT-GF30?

PBT ESD, by a small margin. Both rate good for machinability — 66/100 against 55/100 for PBT-GF30; for welding the order is PBT ESD first (good, 55/100) then PBT-GF30 (fair, 45/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in PBT ESD and PBT-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.