PEN BTL vs PEN GF30
Polymer · PEN grade comparison
PEN BTL and PEN GF30 are two grades of the same polymer grade, PEN: BTL (bottle / blow-moulding grade) versus GF30 (30 % glass-fibre reinforced). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. PEN GF30 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 160 MPa (23.2 ksi) against 85 MPa (12.3 ksi) for PEN BTL, about 88% more. In exchange, PEN BTL is the more ductile: elongation 60% versus 2.5% for PEN GF30. PEN BTL is lighter (1.36 g/cm³ vs 1.56 g/cm³ for PEN GF30) and PEN GF30 is stiffer (9.5 GPa vs 2.7 GPa). On the shop floor, PEN BTL machines more easily (good vs fair).
PEN BTLChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.
PEN GF30Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
PEN BTL vs PEN 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)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Flexural Strength
Flexural Modulus
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Izod Impact, Notched
Hardness, Shore D
Hardness, Rockwell M
Hardness, Rockwell R
Same in both: Shear Modulus 1 GPa0.15 Msi · Bulk Modulus 4 GPa0.62 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.39 · Compressive Modulus 2.9 GPa0.42 Msi · Shear Strength 55 MPa8 ksi
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Same in both: Melting Temperature (Tm) 268°C514 °F · Glass Transition (Tg) 122°C252 °F · Water Absorption (24 h) 0.25% · Water Absorption (Saturation) 0.6% · Refractive Index 1.64 · Light Transmission 85%
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
Vicat Softening Point (B50)
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 1,250 J/kg·K0.3 BTU/lb·°F · Min Service Temperature -70°C-94 °F · Limiting Oxygen Index 26% · Max Service Temperature (short-term) 220°C428 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m3.94×10²¹ µΩ·in · Dielectric Strength 30 kV/mm762 V/mil · Dielectric Constant (1 MHz) 3 · Dissipation Factor (1 MHz) 0.01 · Volume Resistivity 1×10¹⁶ Ω·cm · Surface Resistivity 1×10¹⁵ Ω · Comparative Tracking Index (CTI) 600 V
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: UV / Weathering Resistance 80 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Mold Shrinkage
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)
Mold Temperature (typ.)
Same in both: Polishability 70 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 110 MJ/kg47,292 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 5.5 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 90 L/kg10.8 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.
PEN BTL vs PEN GF30 — frequently asked
Is PEN GF30 stronger than PEN BTL?
Yes. PEN GF30 has a typical tensile strength of 160 MPa (23.2 ksi) against 85 MPa (12.3 ksi) for PEN BTL — about 88% more.
Which grade does FabDigit quote by default, BTL or GF30?
UF is the default PEN condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither BTL nor GF30). 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.
Which is easier to machine, PEN BTL or PEN GF30?
PEN BTL. Its machinability rates good (55/100) against fair (40/100) for PEN GF30; for welding the order is PEN GF30 first (good, 60/100) then PEN BTL (good, 55/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in PEN BTL and PEN 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.