PC-GF
PC-GF is polycarbonate compounded with 10–40 % short glass fiber, covered by the ASTM D3935 grade family, with flame-retardant (GF-FR), PTFE-lubricated (GF-PTFE) and UV-stabilized (GF-UV) variants also on file.
Reference datasheet — PC-GF is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the GF30 condition
PC-GF grades and fills
PC-GF is supplied in 7 conditions, soft to hard. GF30 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 7 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
10% glass fiber reinforced | Lowest fiber loading; keeps some ductility and better surface while roughly doubling stiffness of unfilled PC. | 85 | 5 | 82 HRM | |
Glass fiber + PTFE lubricated bearing grade | Use for gears, bushings and sliding parts where PC-GF alone squeals or wears; typically 10–20% GF with 10–15% PTFE. | 90 | 2.5 | 82 HRM | |
UV / weather-stabilized glass-filled PC | Choose for outdoor housings, luminaires and automotive exterior brackets where unstabilized PC-GF would yellow and chalk. | 108 | 3 | 90 HRM | |
20% glass fiber reinforced | Balanced grade when GF30 warps too much but unfilled PC is too flexible. | 110 | 3.5 | 89 HRM | |
Flame-retardant glass-filled PC | Pick for electrical enclosures, EV/charger and appliance parts needing V-0 at thin wall together with GF stiffness. | 120 | 2.5 | ||
GF30Default 30% glass fiber reinforced | Default structural PC-GF: best stiffness/creep/dimensional stability per cost, used for housings, brackets and metal replacement. | 130 | 2.5 | 93 HRM | |
40% glass fiber reinforced | Maximum stiffness and lowest CTE PC-GF; choose when deflection or thermal growth dominates and surface finish is unimportant. | 150 | 2 | 96 HRM |
What is PC-GF?
PC-GF is polycarbonate compounded with 10–40 % short glass fiber, covered by the ASTM D3935 grade family, with flame-retardant (GF-FR), PTFE-lubricated (GF-PTFE) and UV-stabilized (GF-UV) variants also on file. Reference values of 130 MPa tensile strength, 8.5 GPa modulus, 1.43 g/cm³ density and 130 °C maximum service temperature make it the stiffness and creep-resistance option for injection-molded housings, brackets and load-carrying covers that would deflect in unfilled PC. Elongation falls to about 2.5 %, parts are opaque with fiber read-through, and weld lines retain only 40–60 % of base strength; unfilled PC remains the choice where impact energy or optical clarity is required. PC-GF has a density of 1.43 g/cm³ (0.0517 lb/in³), heavier than 84% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 147°C (297 °F). PC-GF has a tensile strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi), stronger than 94% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 2.5% and the elastic modulus is 8.5 GPa (1.23 Msi).
What is PC-GF used for?
- structural housings
- electrical connectors
- automotive brackets
- power tool bodies
Advantages
- Stiff — 8.5 GPa (1.23 Msi), better than 91% of polymer grades
- Low, predictable mold shrinkage — 0.35%, better than 86% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 2.5%, worse than 89% of polymer grades
- Limited formability — 10/100, worse than 87% of polymer grades
- Heavy — 1.43 g/cm³ (0.0517 lb/in³), worse than 84% of polymer grades
- Hard to polish — 30/100, worse than 82% of polymer grades
PC-GF properties
Typical room-temperature values for PC-GF-GF30; bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical4
PC-GF has a density of 1.43 g/cm³ (0.0517 lb/in³), heavier than 84% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 147°C (297 °F).
Mechanical15
PC-GF has a tensile strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi), stronger than 94% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 2.5% and the elastic modulus is 8.5 GPa (1.23 Msi).
Thermal11
PC-GF is rated for continuous service to 130°C (266 °F). It conducts heat at 0.24 W/m·K (0.139 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 67% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 22 µm/m·K (12.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
PC-GF is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 28 kV/mm (711.2 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹³ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (80/100), worse than 52% of polymer grades. UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PC-GF takes about 85 MJ of energy and emits 5 kg of CO₂ — less than 79% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.
Manufacturability8
PC-GF's machinability is good (60/100, better than 51% of polymer grades); weldability good (55/100); formability not recommended (10/100).
Common Calculations4
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the polymer family
Yield strength against density for every polymer grade FabDigit runs. PC-GF is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with PC-GF
Is PC-GF easy to machine?
Machines cleanly but glass is abrasive — use carbide or PCD tools, sharp positive rake, high speed with low feed and air cooling; avoid aggressive coolants that stress-crack PC.
Can PC-GF be welded?
Ultrasonic, vibration and hot-plate welding work but weld strength is limited by the unreinforced weld line (typically 40–60% of base strength); solvent bonding is risky due to stress cracking.
Can PC-GF be formed, bent or molded?
Injection mold only; dry 4 h at 120 °C to <0.02% moisture, melt 285–320 °C, mold 80–120 °C, wear-resistant screw/nozzle, and design for anisotropic shrink (0.2–0.5%) to control warp.
PC-GF chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| glass fiberchopped E-glass, silane sized for PC coupling | 10 – 40 | 30 |
| additivesheat stabilizer, mold release, pigment; FR/UV packages in modified grades | 0.3 – 2 | 1 |
| bisphenol-A polycarbonatematrix resin | ≥ 55 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on PC-GF?
Fiber read-through dulls the surface — texture, paint or hard-coat rather than polish; PC-GF takes primer/paint and vacuum metallizing well and can be laser-marked.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to PC-GF in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Also called
- PC-GF30
How much does PC-GF cost?
PC-GF is a standard-cost polymer ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
PC-GF — frequently asked
What is PC-GF used for?
PC-GF is typically used for structural housings, electrical connectors, automotive brackets and power tool bodies. In short: stiffest polycarbonate variant; low-creep structural PC; opaque, abrasive to tooling.
What is the tensile strength of PC-GF?
PC-GF has a typical tensile strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) — stronger than 94% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is PC-GF easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (60/100, better than 51% of polymer grades). Machines cleanly but glass is abrasive — use carbide or PCD tools, sharp positive rake, high speed with low feed and air cooling; avoid aggressive coolants that stress-crack PC.
Can PC-GF be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (55/100). Ultrasonic, vibration and hot-plate welding work but weld strength is limited by the unreinforced weld line (typically 40–60% of base strength); solvent bonding is risky due to stress cracking.
What surface finishes work on PC-GF?
Fiber read-through dulls the surface — texture, paint or hard-coat rather than polish; PC-GF takes primer/paint and vacuum metallizing well and can be laser-marked.
Can PC-GF be formed, bent or molded?
Injection mold only; dry 4 h at 120 °C to <0.02% moisture, melt 285–320 °C, mold 80–120 °C, wear-resistant screw/nozzle, and design for anisotropic shrink (0.2–0.5%) to control warp.
What is the maximum service temperature of PC-GF?
PC-GF is rated for continuous use to about 130°C (266 °F), and briefly to 160°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does PC-GF cost?
PC-GF is a standard-cost polymer ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- ASTM D3935 — Standard Classification System for Polycarbonate (PC) Unfilled and Reinforced Material — ASTM International (2017)
- ISO 7391-2 — Plastics: Polycarbonate moulding and extrusion materials, Part 2: Preparation of test specimens and determination of properties — ISO (2022)
- Makrolon glass-fibre reinforced grades (e.g. 8035, 8345) datasheets — Covestro (2023)
- LEXAN 3412/3413 glass-filled PC resin datasheets — SABIC (2022)
- CAMPUS plastics database — PC-GF ISO datasets — CWFG/CAMPUS consortium (2024)
- Engineering Plastics Handbook / Granta polymer property ranges — McGraw-Hill / Ansys Granta (2021)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.