PCT GF30 vs PCT LED-W
Polymer · PCT grade comparison
PCT GF30 and PCT LED-W are two grades of the same polymer grade, PCT: GF30 (30 % glass-fiber reinforced) versus LED-W (high-reflectance white LED-housing grade). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. PCT LED-W is the stronger of the two: yield strength 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) against 52 MPa (7.54 ksi) for PCT GF30, about 102% more. In exchange, PCT GF30 is the more ductile: elongation 2.2% versus 1.6% for PCT LED-W. PCT GF30 is lighter (1.47 g/cm³ vs 1.72 g/cm³ for PCT LED-W) and PCT LED-W is stiffer (10 GPa vs 9.5 GPa). On the shop floor, PCT GF30 machines more easily (fair vs poor) and PCT GF30 welds better (good vs poor).
PCT GF30Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.
PCT LED-WChoose it when strength drives the design.
PCT GF30 vs PCT LED-W: 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.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Flexural Strength
Flexural Modulus
Izod Impact, Notched
Hardness, Rockwell R
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.4
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Water Absorption (24 h)
Same in both: Melting Temperature (Tm) 288°C550 °F · Glass Transition (Tg) 90°C194 °F · Water Absorption (Saturation) 0.35% · Refractive Index 1.56
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa
Vicat Softening Point (B50)
Limiting Oxygen Index
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 1,250 J/kg·K0.3 BTU/lb·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 150°C302 °F · Min Service Temperature -40°C-40 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m3.94×10²¹ µΩ·in · Dielectric Strength 22 kV/mm559 V/mil · Dissipation Factor (1 MHz) 0.015 · Volume Resistivity 1×10¹⁶ Ω·cm · Surface Resistivity 1×10¹⁶ Ω · Comparative Tracking Index (CTI) 250 V
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
UV / Weathering Resistance
Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 70 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Same in both: Polishability 50 / 100 · Mold Shrinkage 0.3% · Melt Flow Rate 20 g/10 min · Processing Melt Temperature (typ.) 310°C590 °F · Mold Temperature (typ.) 120°C248 °F
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 100 MJ/kg42,992 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 4.6 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 180 L/kg21.6 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.
PCT GF30 vs PCT LED-W — frequently asked
Is PCT LED-W stronger than PCT GF30?
Yes. PCT LED-W has a typical yield strength of 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) against 52 MPa (7.54 ksi) for PCT GF30 — about 102% more. Tensile strength is 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) vs 130 MPa (18.9 ksi).
Which grade does FabDigit quote by default, GF30 or LED-W?
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, PCT GF30 or PCT LED-W?
PCT GF30. Its machinability rates fair (40/100) against poor (30/100) for PCT LED-W; for welding the order is PCT GF30 first (good, 60/100) then PCT LED-W (poor, 15/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in PCT GF30 and PCT LED-W 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.