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Ultem 1000 CF30 vs Ultem 1000 GF10

Polymer · Ultem 1000 grade comparison

Ultem 1000 CF30 and Ultem 1000 GF10 are two grades of the same polymer grade, Ultem 1000: CF30 (30% carbon-fiber reinforced PEI) versus GF10 (10% glass-fiber reinforced). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. Ultem 1000 CF30 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) against 124 MPa (18 ksi) for Ultem 1000 GF10, about 77% more. In exchange, Ultem 1000 GF10 is the more ductile: elongation 6% versus 1.8% for Ultem 1000 CF30. Ultem 1000 GF10 is lighter (1.34 g/cm³ vs 1.42 g/cm³ for Ultem 1000 CF30) and Ultem 1000 CF30 is stiffer (20 GPa vs 4.5 GPa). On the shop floor, Ultem 1000 GF10 machines more easily (good vs fair).

Ultem 1000 CF30Choose it when strength drives the design.

Ultem 1000 GF10Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.

Ultem 1000 CF30 vs Ultem 1000 GF10: properties

Ultem 1000 CF30Ultem 1000 GF10

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

20 GPa2.9 Msi
4.5 GPa0.65 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

220 MPa31.9 ksi
124 MPa18 ksi

Elongation at Break

1.8%
6%

Flexural Strength

285 MPa41.3 ksi
180 MPa26.1 ksi

Flexural Modulus

18 GPa2.6 Msi
4.3 GPa0.62 Msi

Izod Impact, Notched

80 J/m1.5 ft·lbf/in
60 J/m1.1 ft·lbf/in

Same in both: Shear Modulus 1.2 GPa0.17 Msi · Bulk Modulus 4 GPa0.55 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.36 · Yield Strength (0.2% offset) 105 MPa15.2 ksi · Compressive Strength 140 MPa20.3 ksi · Compressive Modulus 2.9 GPa0.42 Msi · Shear Strength 90 MPa13.1 ksi · Fracture Toughness (K_IC) 3.3 MPa·√m3 ksi·√in · Hardness, Shore D 87 Shore D · Hardness, Rockwell M 109 HRM · Hardness, Rockwell R 125 HRR

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

1.42 g/cm³0.05 lb/in³
1.34 g/cm³0.05 lb/in³

Same in both: Glass Transition (Tg) 217°C423 °F · Water Absorption (24 h) 0.25% · Water Absorption (Saturation) 1.25% · Refractive Index 1.66 · Light Transmission 78%

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

0.7 W/m·K0.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F
0.22 W/m·K0.13 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

10 µm/m·K5.6 µin/in·°F
35 µm/m·K19.4 µin/in·°F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa

212°C414 °F
205°C401 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 1,100 J/kg·K0.26 BTU/lb·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 170°C338 °F · Min Service Temperature -50°C-58 °F · Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa 210°C410 °F · Vicat Softening Point (B50) 219°C426 °F · Limiting Oxygen Index 47% · Max Service Temperature (short-term) 200°C392 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Surface Resistivity

10,000 Ω
1×10¹⁶ Ω

Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹⁵ Ω·m3.94×10²² µΩ·in · Dielectric Strength 33 kV/mm838 V/mil · Dielectric Constant (1 MHz) 3.15 · Dissipation Factor (1 MHz) 0.0013 · Volume Resistivity 1×10¹⁷ Ω·cm · Comparative Tracking Index (CTI) 175 V

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 85 / 100 · UV / Weathering Resistance 35 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

40 / 100
55 / 100

Mold Shrinkage

0.15%
0.4%

Same in both: Weldability 60 / 100 · Formability (cold) 50 / 100 · Polishability 80 / 100 · Melt Flow Rate 9 g/10 min · Processing Melt Temperature (typ.) 370°C698 °F · Mold Temperature (typ.) 150°C302 °F

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 250 MJ/kg107,481 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 8.5 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 500 L/kg59.9 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.

0.1110100123Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleUltem 1000

Ultem 1000 CF30 vs Ultem 1000 GF10 — frequently asked

Is Ultem 1000 CF30 stronger than Ultem 1000 GF10?

Yes. Ultem 1000 CF30 has a typical tensile strength of 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) against 124 MPa (18 ksi) for Ultem 1000 GF10 — about 77% more.

Which grade does FabDigit quote by default, CF30 or GF10?

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, Ultem 1000 CF30 or Ultem 1000 GF10?

Ultem 1000 GF10. Its machinability rates good (55/100) against fair (40/100) for Ultem 1000 CF30.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Ultem 1000 CF30 and Ultem 1000 GF10 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.