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PET-GF30 vs PETG

Polymer · grade comparison

PET-GF30 and PETG are both polymer grades. PET-GF30 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) against 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) for PETG, about 3.0 times as much. In exchange, PETG is the more ductile: elongation 120% versus 2.5% for PET-GF30, and PET-GF30 is harder (90 Shore D vs 78 Shore D). PETG is lighter (1.27 g/cm³ vs 1.56 g/cm³ for PET-GF30) and PET-GF30 is stiffer (9.5 GPa vs 2.1 GPa). On the shop floor, PETG machines more easily (good vs fair), PETG welds better (very good vs poor), and PETG sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than PET-GF30 (standard, $$).

PET-GF30Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.

PETGChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.

PET-GF30 vs PETG: properties

PET-GF30PETG

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

9.5 GPa1.4 Msi
2.1 GPa0.3 Msi

Shear Modulus

3.4 GPa0.49 Msi
0.77 GPa0.11 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.39
0.4

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

150 MPa21.8 ksi
50 MPa7.3 ksi

Elongation at Break

2.5%
120%

Compressive Strength

150 MPa21.8 ksi
60 MPa8.7 ksi

Compressive Modulus

8.5 GPa1.2 Msi
—

Flexural Strength

225 MPa32.6 ksi
70 MPa10.2 ksi

Flexural Modulus

9 GPa1.3 Msi
2.1 GPa0.3 Msi

Shear Strength

70 MPa10.2 ksi
—

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

3.5 MPa·√m3.2 ksi·√in
—

Izod Impact, Notched

85 J/m1.6 ft·lbf/in
95 J/m1.8 ft·lbf/in

Hardness, Shore D

90 Shore D
78 Shore D

Hardness, Rockwell M

98 HRM
—

Hardness, Rockwell R

120 HRR
115 HRR

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

—
50 MPa7.3 ksi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

1.56 g/cm³0.06 lb/in³
1.27 g/cm³0.05 lb/in³

Melting Temperature (Tm)

255°C491 °F
—

Glass Transition (Tg)

79°C174 °F
80°C176 °F

Water Absorption (24 h)

0.12%
0.13%

Water Absorption (Saturation)

0.45%
0.5%

Refractive Index

—
1.57

Light Transmission

—
89%

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

0.29 W/m·K0.17 BTU/hr·ft·°F
0.2 W/m·K0.12 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

25 µm/m·K13.9 µin/in·°F
68 µm/m·K37.8 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

140°C284 °F
63°C145 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa

245°C473 °F
70°C158 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa

224°C435 °F
64°C147 °F

Vicat Softening Point (B50)

250°C482 °F
82°C180 °F

Max Service Temperature (short-term)

220°C428 °F
75°C167 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 1,200 J/kg·K0.29 BTU/lb·°F · Min Service Temperature -40°C-40 °F · Limiting Oxygen Index 23%

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Dielectric Strength

28 kV/mm711 V/mil
16 kV/mm406 V/mil

Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)

3.8
2.8

Surface Resistivity

1×10¹⁵ Ω
1×10¹⁶ Ω

Comparative Tracking Index (CTI)

250 V
—

Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m3.94×10²¹ µΩ·in · Dissipation Factor (1 MHz) 0.02 · Volume Resistivity 1×10¹⁶ Ω·cm

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

72 / 100
85 / 100

UV / Weathering Resistance

30 / 100
45 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

45 / 100
65 / 100

Weldability

30 / 100
80 / 100

Formability (cold)

10 / 100
88 / 100

Polishability

25 / 100
72 / 100

Mold Shrinkage

0.3%
0.35%

Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)

280°C536 °F
245°C473 °F

Mold Temperature (typ.)

135°C275 °F
25°C77 °F

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

80 MJ/kg34,394 BTU/lb
84 MJ/kg36,114 BTU/lb

Embodied Water

80 L/kg9.6 gal/lb
210 L/kg25.2 gal/lb

Same in both: Embodied Carbon (primary production) 3.2 kg CO₂/kg · Typical Recycled Content 0%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

96 kN·m/kg
39 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

6.1 MN·m/kg
1.7 MN·m/kg

Thermal Diffusivity

0.2 mm²/s
0.1 mm²/s

Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 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.

0.1110100123Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scalePETG

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityPET-GF30PETG
CNC machining—Yes
Sheet metal—Yes
Injection molding—Yes
3D printing—Yes
Default condition—Unfilled
Relative cost$$ Standard$ Budget
Min. machined wall—0.5 mm
Best machined surface—Ra 0.8 µm
Chrome Plating (Plastic)—Yes
Conductive Coating—Yes
Dyeing (Nylon)—Yes
EMI Shielding Coating—Yes
Painting—Yes
Primer Coating—Yes
Soft Touch Coating—Yes
Spray Painting—Yes
Tinted Coating—Yes
UV Coating—Yes
Vacuum Metallization—Yes
Waterproof Coating—Yes

PET-GF30 vs PETG — frequently asked

Is PET-GF30 stronger than PETG?

Yes. PET-GF30 has a typical tensile strength of 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) against 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) for PETG — about 3.0 times as much.

Which is cheaper, PET-GF30 or PETG?

PETG is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while PET-GF30 is standard ($$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.

Which is easier to machine, PET-GF30 or PETG?

PETG. Its machinability rates good (65/100) against fair (45/100) for PET-GF30; for welding the order is PETG first (very good, 80/100) then PET-GF30 (poor, 30/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in PET-GF30 and PETG 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.