PCT GF15
Reinforced grade
also Thermx
GF15 = 15 % glass-fiber reinforced
Lower-warp reinforced grade when moderate stiffness and better surface appearance are needed.
Values for the GF15 condition
Other PCT grades and fills
PCT is listed in 8 conditions; see the grade overview at PCT.
Compare all 8 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GF15This page 15 % glass-fiber reinforced | Lower-warp reinforced grade when moderate stiffness and better surface appearance are needed. | — | 95 | 3.5 | — |
Glass/mineral filled, low-warp | Use where flatness and isotropic shrinkage matter more than peak strength (large flat covers, housings). | 95 | 95 | 2 | 92 HRM |
Impact-modified PCT | Pick for snap-fit or press-fit parts needing higher notched toughness at some loss of stiffness and HDT. | 105 | 105 | 3.5 | 88 HRM |
High-reflectance white LED-housing grade | TiO2-loaded, glass-reinforced white compound for LED reflector cups needing low yellowing after reflow and UV exposure. | 105 | 105 | 1.6 | 95 HRM |
30 % glass, flame-retardant UL 94 V-0 | Choose when the electrical connector or bobbin must carry a UL 94 V-0 rating at 0.4–0.8 mm wall. | — | 115 | 1.8 | — |
Heat-stabilized / hydrolysis-resistant grade | Long-term 150 °C air-oven ageing or humid under-hood service; adds thermal and hydrolysis stabilizers to a GF30 base. | 128 | 128 | 2.2 | 94 HRM |
30 % glass-fiber reinforced | The mainstream commercial PCT grade for SMT connectors and coil bobbins that must survive lead-free reflow. | — | 130 | 2.2 | 92 HRM |
40 % glass-fiber reinforced | Maximum stiffness/strength and lowest CTE for thin-wall high-temperature structural connector bodies. | — | 150 | 1.8 | — |
What is PCT GF15?
PCT GF15 is PCT in the GF15 grade — lower-warp reinforced grade when moderate stiffness and better surface appearance are needed. PCT GF15 has a yield strength of 52 MPa (7.54 ksi) and a tensile strength of 95 MPa (13.8 ksi) — stronger than 56% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 3.5% and the elastic modulus is 5.8 GPa (0.841 Msi). PCT GF15 has a density of 1.35 g/cm³ (0.0488 lb/in³), heavier than 75% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 90°C (194 °F).
Advantages
- Stiff — 5.8 GPa (0.841 Msi), better than 89% of polymer grades
- Low moisture uptake — 0.09%, better than 79% of polymer grades
- Good UV / weathering resistance — 55/100, better than 77% of polymer grades
- High service temperature — 140°C (284 °F), better than 76% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 3.5%, worse than 79% of polymer grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 70/100, worse than 78% of polymer grades
- Difficult to machine — 45/100, worse than 78% of polymer grades
- Heavy — 1.35 g/cm³ (0.0488 lb/in³), worse than 75% of polymer grades
PCT GF15 properties
Typical room-temperature values for PCT GF15; 13 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are PCT reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical6
PCT GF15 has a density of 1.35 g/cm³ (0.0488 lb/in³), heavier than 75% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 90°C (194 °F).
Mechanical10
PCT GF15 has a yield strength of 52 MPa (7.54 ksi) and a tensile strength of 95 MPa (13.8 ksi) — stronger than 56% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 3.5% and the elastic modulus is 5.8 GPa (0.841 Msi).
Thermal11
PCT GF15 is rated for continuous service to 140°C (284 °F). It conducts heat at 0.22 W/m·K (0.127 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 60% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 40 µm/m·K (22.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
PCT GF15 is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 22 kV/mm (558.8 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (70/100), worse than 78% of polymer grades. UV resistance is good.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PCT GF15 takes about 100 MJ of energy and emits 4.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 61% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability8
PCT GF15's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 78% of polymer grades); weldability good (60/100); formability poor (30/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with PCT GF15
Is PCT easy to machine?
Machinable with sharp carbide tooling and air cooling, but glass-filled grades are abrasive and notch-sensitive — generous radii and light finishing cuts.
Can PCT be welded?
Joined by ultrasonic, hot-plate, laser and vibration welding as well as heat staking; not solvent-bondable in practice, adhesives need surface pre-treatment.
Can PCT be formed, bent or molded?
Injection mold at 295–325 °C melt with 100–140 °C mold and dry the resin to <0.02 % moisture (4 h @ 120–140 °C) to avoid hydrolytic MW loss; hot runners and fast fill suit thin-wall connectors.
What surface finishes work on PCT?
Mold-textured or gloss finishes replicate well; laser marking and pad printing are common, and reinforced grades can be electroplated only with specialty pre-treatment.
PCT 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 |
|---|---|---|
| terephthalic acid / DMT (terephthalate udiacid component, mol % of repeat unit | 48 – 52 | 50 |
| 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol (CHDM)glycol component; high trans-isomer content gives the high melting point | 48 – 52 | 50 |
| glass fiberchopped E-glass in reinforced grades | 0 – 45 | 30 |
| stabilizers / nucleants / pigmentsthermal, hydrolysis and UV additive package | 0.3 – 5 | 1.5 |
PCT GF15 — frequently asked
What is PCT GF15 used for?
PCT GF15 is typically used for SMT/lead-free reflow connectors, LED reflectors, high-heat electrical components and specialty fiber and film. In short: reflow-tolerant polyester; higher melting than PET/PBT; thin-wall connector resin.
What is the yield strength of PCT GF15?
PCT GF15 has a typical yield strength of 52 MPa (7.54 ksi) and a tensile strength of 95 MPa (13.8 ksi) — stronger than 56% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is PCT GF15 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 78% of polymer grades). Machinable with sharp carbide tooling and air cooling, but glass-filled grades are abrasive and notch-sensitive — generous radii and light finishing cuts.
Can PCT GF15 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (60/100). Joined by ultrasonic, hot-plate, laser and vibration welding as well as heat staking; not solvent-bondable in practice, adhesives need surface pre-treatment.
What surface finishes work on PCT GF15?
Mold-textured or gloss finishes replicate well; laser marking and pad printing are common, and reinforced grades can be electroplated only with specialty pre-treatment.
Can PCT GF15 be formed, bent or molded?
Injection mold at 295–325 °C melt with 100–140 °C mold and dry the resin to <0.02 % moisture (4 h @ 120–140 °C) to avoid hydrolytic MW loss; hot runners and fast fill suit thin-wall connectors.
What is the maximum service temperature of PCT GF15?
PCT GF15 is rated for continuous use to about 140°C (284 °F), and briefly to 260°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- Thermx PCT high-heat polyester product data — Eastman Chemical / Celanese (2020)
- CAMPUS / Prospector thermoplastic polyester datasheets — CAMPUS Consortium / UL (2023)
- Polymer Data Handbook — poly(cyclohexylenedimethylene terephthalate) — Oxford University Press (2009)
- ISO 527 / ISO 178 / ISO 75 plastics test methods — ISO (2019)
- ASTM D638 / D790 / D648 / D256 — ASTM (2022)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.