FabDigitFabDigit

PC GF10 vs PC GF40

Polymer · PC grade comparison

PC GF10 and PC GF40 are two grades of the same polymer grade, PC: GF10 (10% glass fiber reinforced) versus GF40 (40% Glass Fiber). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. PC GF40 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) against 80 MPa (11.6 ksi) for PC GF10, about 88% more. In exchange, PC GF10 is the more ductile: elongation 6% versus 2% for PC GF40. PC GF10 is lighter (1.27 g/cm³ vs 1.52 g/cm³ for PC GF40) and PC GF40 is stiffer (11.5 GPa vs 4 GPa). On the shop floor, PC GF10 machines more easily (good vs fair) and PC GF10 welds better (very good vs poor).

PC GF10Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.

PC GF40Choose it when strength drives the design.

PC GF10 vs PC GF40: properties

PC GF10PC GF40

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

4 GPa0.58 Msi
11.5 GPa1.7 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

80 MPa11.6 ksi
150 MPa21.8 ksi

Elongation at Break

6%
2%

Compressive Strength

80 MPa11.6 ksi
140 MPa20.3 ksi

Flexural Strength

120 MPa17.4 ksi
205 MPa29.7 ksi

Flexural Modulus

3.9 GPa0.57 Msi
11 GPa1.6 Msi

Izod Impact, Notched

110 J/m2.1 ft·lbf/in
120 J/m2.2 ft·lbf/in

Hardness, Rockwell M

70 HRM
93 HRM

Same in both: Shear Modulus 0.83 GPa0.12 Msi · Bulk Modulus 4 GPa0.51 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.38 · Yield Strength (0.2% offset) 63 MPa9.1 ksi · Compressive Modulus 2.4 GPa0.35 Msi · Shear Strength 41 MPa5.9 ksi · Fracture Toughness (K_IC) 2.2 MPa·√m2 ksi·√in · Hardness, Shore D 84 Shore D · Hardness, Rockwell R 120 HRR

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

1.27 g/cm³0.05 lb/in³
1.52 g/cm³0.05 lb/in³

Water Absorption (24 h)

0.15%
0.1%

Water Absorption (Saturation)

0.35%
0.3%

Light Transmission

0%
88%

Same in both: Glass Transition (Tg) 147°C297 °F · Refractive Index 1.585

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

0.2 W/m·K0.12 BTU/hr·ft·°F
0.32 W/m·K0.18 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

1,200 J/kg·K0.29 BTU/lb·°F
1,100 J/kg·K0.26 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

45 µm/m·K25 µin/in·°F
17 µm/m·K9.4 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

125°C257 °F
135°C275 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa

138°C280 °F
150°C302 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa

140°C284 °F
146°C295 °F

Vicat Softening Point (B50)

146°C295 °F
152°C306 °F

Limiting Oxygen Index

26%
27%

Max Service Temperature (short-term)

145°C293 °F
160°C320 °F

Same in both: Min Service Temperature -40°C-40 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Dielectric Strength

22 kV/mm559 V/mil
28 kV/mm711 V/mil

Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)

2.9
3.6

Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)

0.01
0.008

Volume Resistivity

1×10¹⁶ Ω·cm
1×10¹⁵ Ω·cm

Comparative Tracking Index (CTI)

250 V
200 V

Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m3.94×10²¹ µΩ·in · Surface Resistivity 1×10¹⁵ Ω

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

UV / Weathering Resistance

30 / 100
35 / 100

Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 55 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

55 / 100
45 / 100

Weldability

70 / 100
30 / 100

Formability (cold)

75 / 100
10 / 100

Polishability

85 / 100
20 / 100

Mold Shrinkage

0.4%
0.2%

Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)

295°C563 °F
310°C590 °F

Mold Temperature (typ.)

90°C194 °F
110°C230 °F

Same in both: Melt Flow Rate 10 g/10 min

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

105 MJ/kg45,142 BTU/lb
80 MJ/kg34,394 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

6.3 kg CO₂/kg
5.2 kg CO₂/kg

Same in both: Embodied Water 250 L/kg30 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 scalePC

PC GF10 vs PC GF40 — frequently asked

Is PC GF40 stronger than PC GF10?

Yes. PC GF40 has a typical tensile strength of 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) against 80 MPa (11.6 ksi) for PC GF10 — about 88% more.

Which grade does FabDigit quote by default, GF10 or GF40?

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, PC GF10 or PC GF40?

PC GF10. Its machinability rates good (55/100) against fair (45/100) for PC GF40; for welding the order is PC GF10 first (very good, 70/100) then PC GF40 (poor, 30/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in PC GF10 and PC GF40 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.