PET vs PET-GF30
Polymer · grade comparison
PET and PET-GF30 are both polymer grades. PET-GF30 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) against 82 MPa (11.9 ksi) for PET, about 83% more. In exchange, PET is the more ductile: elongation 20% versus 2.5% for PET-GF30, and PET-GF30 is harder (90 Shore D vs 85 Shore D). PET is lighter (1.39 g/cm³ vs 1.56 g/cm³ for PET-GF30) and PET-GF30 is stiffer (9.5 GPa vs 3.1 GPa). On the shop floor, PET machines more easily (very good vs fair) and PET welds better (fair vs poor).
PETChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.
PET-GF30Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
PET vs PET-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
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Compressive Modulus
Flexural Strength
Flexural Modulus
Shear Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Izod Impact, Notched
Hardness, Shore D
Hardness, Rockwell M
Same in both: Hardness, Rockwell R 120 HRR
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Water Absorption (24 h)
Water Absorption (Saturation)
Refractive Index
Light Transmission
Same in both: Melting Temperature (Tm) 255°C491 °F · Glass Transition (Tg) 79°C174 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa
Vicat Softening Point (B50)
Limiting Oxygen Index
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Dielectric Strength
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
Comparative Tracking Index (CTI)
Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m3.94×10²¹ µΩ·in · Volume Resistivity 1×10¹⁶ Ω·cm · Surface Resistivity 1×10¹⁵ Ω
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: UV / Weathering Resistance 30 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Polishability
Mold Shrinkage
Same in both: Processing Melt Temperature (typ.) 280°C536 °F · Mold Temperature (typ.) 135°C275 °F
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Same in both: Thermal Diffusivity 0.2 mm²/s · 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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | PET | PET-GF30 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | — |
| Sheet metal | Yes | — |
| Injection molding | Yes | — |
| Default condition | Unfilled | — |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | 0.5 mm | — |
| Best machined surface | Ra 0.8 µm | — |
| Chrome Plating (Plastic) | Yes | — |
| EMI Shielding Coating | Yes | — |
| Painting | Yes | — |
| Soft Touch Coating | Yes | — |
| Spray Painting | Yes | — |
| UV Coating | Yes | — |
PET vs PET-GF30 — frequently asked
Is PET-GF30 stronger than PET?
Yes. PET-GF30 has a typical tensile strength of 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) against 82 MPa (11.9 ksi) for PET — about 83% more.
Which is cheaper, PET or PET-GF30?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$, standard); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, PET or PET-GF30?
PET. Its machinability rates very good (78/100) against fair (45/100) for PET-GF30; for welding the order is PET first (fair, 45/100) then PET-GF30 (poor, 30/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in PET and PET-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.