PEK CF30 vs PEK GF30
Polymer · PEK grade comparison
PEK CF30 and PEK GF30 are two grades of the same polymer grade, PEK: CF30 (30 % short carbon fiber reinforced) versus GF30 (30 % short glass fiber reinforced). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. PEK CF30 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) against 168 MPa (24.4 ksi) for PEK GF30, about 31% more. In exchange, PEK GF30 is the more ductile: elongation 2.5% versus 1.8% for PEK CF30. PEK CF30 is lighter (1.44 g/cm³ vs 1.53 g/cm³ for PEK GF30) and PEK CF30 is stiffer (23 GPa vs 11 GPa).
PEK CF30Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.
PEK GF30Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
PEK CF30 vs PEK 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.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Flexural Strength
Flexural Modulus
Izod Impact, Notched
Hardness, Rockwell M
Same in both: Shear Modulus 1.4 GPa0.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.4 · Yield Strength (0.2% offset) 105 MPa15.2 ksi · Compressive Modulus 3.8 GPa0.55 Msi · Shear Strength 65 MPa9.4 ksi · Fracture Toughness (K_IC) 3.5 MPa·√m3.2 ksi·√in · Hardness, Shore D 87 Shore D
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Same in both: Melting Temperature (Tm) 373°C703 °F · Glass Transition (Tg) 157°C315 °F · Water Absorption (24 h) 0.1% · Water Absorption (Saturation) 0.4%
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 1,340 J/kg·K0.32 BTU/lb·°F · Min Service Temperature -70°C-94 °F · Vicat Softening Point (B50) 180°C356 °F · Limiting Oxygen Index 40% · Max Service Temperature (short-term) 320°C608 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Volume Resistivity
Same in both: Dielectric Strength 20 kV/mm508 V/mil · Dielectric Constant (1 MHz) 3.3 · Dissipation Factor (1 MHz) 0.003 · Surface Resistivity 1×10¹⁶ Ω · Comparative Tracking Index (CTI) 150 V
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 90 / 100 · UV / Weathering Resistance 40 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Mold Shrinkage
Same in both: Weldability 55 / 100 · Formability (cold) 25 / 100 · Polishability 70 / 100 · Melt Flow Rate 4 g/10 min · Processing Melt Temperature (typ.) 400°C752 °F · Mold Temperature (typ.) 200°C392 °F
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 320 MJ/kg137,575 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 22 kg CO₂/kg · 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.
PEK CF30 vs PEK GF30 — frequently asked
Is PEK CF30 stronger than PEK GF30?
Yes. PEK CF30 has a typical tensile strength of 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) against 168 MPa (24.4 ksi) for PEK GF30 — about 31% more.
Which grade does FabDigit quote by default, CF30 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, PEK CF30 or PEK GF30?
PEK CF30, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 45/100 against 40/100 for PEK GF30.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in PEK CF30 and PEK 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.