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PC-GF GF10 vs PC-GF GF20

Polymer · PC-GF grade comparison

PC-GF GF10 and PC-GF GF20 are two grades of the same polymer grade, PC-GF: GF10 (10% glass fiber reinforced) versus GF20 (20% glass fiber reinforced). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. PC-GF GF20 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 110 MPa (16 ksi) against 85 MPa (12.3 ksi) for PC-GF GF10, about 29% more. In exchange, PC-GF GF10 is the more ductile: elongation 5% versus 3.5% for PC-GF GF20. PC-GF GF10 is lighter (1.27 g/cm³ vs 1.35 g/cm³ for PC-GF GF20) and PC-GF GF20 is stiffer (6 GPa vs 4 GPa).

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

PC-GF GF20Choose it when strength drives the design.

PC-GF GF10 vs PC-GF GF20: properties

PC-GF GF10PC-GF GF20

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

4 GPa0.58 Msi
6 GPa0.87 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

85 MPa12.3 ksi
110 MPa16 ksi

Elongation at Break

5%
3.5%

Flexural Strength

125 MPa18.1 ksi
155 MPa22.5 ksi

Flexural Modulus

3.8 GPa0.55 Msi
5.6 GPa0.81 Msi

Izod Impact, Notched

130 J/m2.4 ft·lbf/in
120 J/m2.2 ft·lbf/in

Hardness, Rockwell M

82 HRM
89 HRM

Same in both: Shear Modulus 3.1 GPa0.45 Msi · Bulk Modulus 10 GPa1.4 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.36 · Compressive Strength 120 MPa17.4 ksi · Compressive Modulus 7 GPa1 Msi · Shear Strength 70 MPa10.2 ksi · Fracture Toughness (K_IC) 3 MPa·√m2.7 ksi·√in · Hardness, Rockwell R 119 HRR

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Same in both: Glass Transition (Tg) 147°C297 °F · Water Absorption (24 h) 0.12% · Water Absorption (Saturation) 0.3%

Thermal

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

42 µm/m·K23.3 µin/in·°F
30 µm/m·K16.7 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

125°C257 °F
130°C266 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa

146°C295 °F
150°C302 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa

138°C280 °F
143°C289 °F

Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 0.24 W/m·K0.14 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 1,150 J/kg·K0.27 BTU/lb·°F · Min Service Temperature -40°C-40 °F · Vicat Softening Point (B50) 152°C306 °F · Limiting Oxygen Index 27% · Max Service Temperature (short-term) 160°C320 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹³ Ω·m3.94×10²⁰ µΩ·in · Dielectric Strength 28 kV/mm711 V/mil · Dielectric Constant (1 MHz) 3.4 · Dissipation Factor (1 MHz) 0.009 · Volume Resistivity 1×10¹⁵ Ω·cm · Surface Resistivity 1×10¹⁵ Ω · Comparative Tracking Index (CTI) 175 V

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 80 / 100 · UV / Weathering Resistance 30 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

68 / 100
64 / 100

Mold Shrinkage

0.5%
0.4%

Melt Flow Rate

9 g/10 min
7 g/10 min

Same in both: Weldability 55 / 100 · Formability (cold) 10 / 100 · Polishability 30 / 100 · Processing Melt Temperature (typ.) 300°C572 °F · Mold Temperature (typ.) 100°C212 °F

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 85 MJ/kg36,543 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 5 kg CO₂/kg · 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 scale

PC-GF GF10 vs PC-GF GF20 — frequently asked

Is PC-GF GF20 stronger than PC-GF GF10?

Yes. PC-GF GF20 has a typical tensile strength of 110 MPa (16 ksi) against 85 MPa (12.3 ksi) for PC-GF GF10 — about 29% more.

Which grade does FabDigit quote by default, GF10 or GF20?

GF30 is the default PC-GF condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither GF10 nor GF20). 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.

When should I choose PC-GF GF10 over PC-GF GF20?

Pick PC-GF GF10 when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint. Pick PC-GF GF20 when strength drives the design.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in PC-GF GF10 and PC-GF GF20 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.