PC-Medical GF20 vs PC-Medical GF30
Polymer · PC-Medical grade comparison
PC-Medical GF20 and PC-Medical GF30 are two grades of the same polymer grade, PC-Medical: GF20 (20% glass-fiber reinforced medical PC) versus GF30 (30% glass-fiber reinforced medical PC). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. PC-Medical GF30 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 125 MPa (18.1 ksi) against 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) for PC-Medical GF20, about 19% more. In exchange, PC-Medical GF20 is the more ductile: elongation 4% versus 3% for PC-Medical GF30. PC-Medical GF20 is lighter (1.34 g/cm³ vs 1.43 g/cm³ for PC-Medical GF30) and PC-Medical GF30 is stiffer (7.5 GPa vs 5 GPa).
PC-Medical GF20Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.
PC-Medical GF30Choose it when strength drives the design.
PC-Medical GF20 vs PC-Medical GF30: 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.
PC-Medical GF20PC-Medical GF30
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Flexural Strength
Flexural Modulus
Izod Impact, Notched
Same in both: Shear Modulus 0.85 GPa0.12 Msi · Bulk Modulus 3 GPa0.49 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.37 · Yield Strength (0.2% offset) 62 MPa9 ksi · Compressive Strength 80 MPa11.6 ksi · Compressive Modulus 2.4 GPa0.35 Msi · Shear Strength 40 MPa5.8 ksi · Fracture Toughness (K_IC) 2.7 MPa·√m2.5 ksi·√in · Hardness, Shore D 82 Shore D · Hardness, Rockwell M 72 HRM · Hardness, Rockwell R 120 HRR
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Same in both: Glass Transition (Tg) 147°C297 °F · Water Absorption (24 h) 0.15% · Water Absorption (Saturation) 0.35% · Refractive Index 1.586 · Light Transmission 0%
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 1,200 J/kg·K0.29 BTU/lb·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 115°C239 °F · Min Service Temperature -40°C-40 °F · Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa 138°C280 °F · Vicat Softening Point (B50) 146°C295 °F · Limiting Oxygen Index 26% · Max Service Temperature (short-term) 145°C293 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m3.94×10²¹ µΩ·in · Dielectric Strength 25 kV/mm635 V/mil · Dielectric Constant (1 MHz) 2.9 · Dissipation Factor (1 MHz) 0.01 · Volume Resistivity 1×10¹⁶ Ω·cm · Surface Resistivity 1×10¹⁵ Ω · Comparative Tracking Index (CTI) 250 V
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 70 / 100 · UV / Weathering Resistance 30 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Mold Shrinkage
Same in both: Weldability 75 / 100 · Formability (cold) 70 / 100 · Polishability 90 / 100 · Melt Flow Rate 10 g/10 min · Processing Melt Temperature (typ.) 300°C572 °F · Mold Temperature (typ.) 95°C203 °F
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 105 MJ/kg45,142 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 6 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 250 L/kg30 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.
PC-Medical GF20 vs PC-Medical GF30 — frequently asked
Is PC-Medical GF30 stronger than PC-Medical GF20?
Yes. PC-Medical GF30 has a typical tensile strength of 125 MPa (18.1 ksi) against 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) for PC-Medical GF20 — about 19% more.
Which grade does FabDigit quote by default, GF20 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, PC-Medical GF20 or PC-Medical GF30?
PC-Medical GF20, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 45/100 against 40/100 for PC-Medical GF30.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in PC-Medical GF20 and PC-Medical 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.