Ultem 2300 GF30 vs Ultem 2300 GF40
Polymer · Ultem 2300 grade comparison
Ultem 2300 GF30 and Ultem 2300 GF40 are two grades of the same polymer grade, Ultem 2300: GF30 (30% glass-fiber reinforced) versus GF40 (40% glass-fiber reinforced). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. Ultem 2300 GF40 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 193 MPa (28 ksi) against 169 MPa (24.5 ksi) for Ultem 2300 GF30, about 14% more. In exchange, Ultem 2300 GF30 is the more ductile: elongation 3% versus 2% for Ultem 2300 GF40. Ultem 2300 GF30 is lighter (1.51 g/cm³ vs 1.61 g/cm³ for Ultem 2300 GF40) and Ultem 2300 GF40 is stiffer (11.7 GPa vs 9 GPa).
Ultem 2300 GF30Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.
Ultem 2300 GF40Choose it when strength drives the design.
Ultem 2300 GF30 vs Ultem 2300 GF40: 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.
Ultem 2300 GF30Ultem 2300 GF40
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Flexural Strength
Flexural Modulus
Izod Impact, Notched
Hardness, Rockwell M
Same in both: Shear Modulus 3.3 GPa0.48 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.37 · Yield Strength (0.2% offset) 169 MPa24.5 ksi · Compressive Strength 195 MPa28.3 ksi · Compressive Modulus 7.5 GPa1.1 Msi · Shear Strength 100 MPa14.5 ksi · Fracture Toughness (K_IC) 3.5 MPa·√m3.2 ksi·√in · Hardness, Shore D 90 Shore D
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Same in both: Glass Transition (Tg) 217°C423 °F · Water Absorption (24 h) 0.22% · Water Absorption (Saturation) 0.9%
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 1,000 J/kg·K0.24 BTU/lb·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 170°C338 °F · Min Service Temperature -50°C-58 °F · Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa 216°C421 °F · Vicat Softening Point (B50) 219°C426 °F · Limiting Oxygen Index 50% · Max Service Temperature (short-term) 200°C392 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m3.94×10²¹ µΩ·in · Dielectric Strength 28 kV/mm711 V/mil · Dielectric Constant (1 MHz) 3.5 · Dissipation Factor (1 MHz) 0.0022 · Volume Resistivity 1×10¹⁶ Ω·cm · Surface Resistivity 1×10¹⁶ Ω · 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 45 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Mold Shrinkage
Melt Flow Rate
Same in both: Weldability 45 / 100 · Formability (cold) 10 / 100 · Polishability 40 / 100 · Processing Melt Temperature (typ.) 380°C716 °F · Mold Temperature (typ.) 150°C302 °F
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 160 MJ/kg68,788 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 8 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 350 L/kg41.9 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.
Ultem 2300 GF30 vs Ultem 2300 GF40 — frequently asked
Is Ultem 2300 GF40 stronger than Ultem 2300 GF30?
Yes. Ultem 2300 GF40 has a typical tensile strength of 193 MPa (28 ksi) against 169 MPa (24.5 ksi) for Ultem 2300 GF30 — about 14% more.
Which grade does FabDigit quote by default, GF30 or GF40?
GF30 is the default Ultem 2300 condition in the FabDigit quote flow. 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, Ultem 2300 GF30 or Ultem 2300 GF40?
Ultem 2300 GF30. Its machinability rates good (55/100) against fair (48/100) for Ultem 2300 GF40.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Ultem 2300 GF30 and Ultem 2300 GF40 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.