PEK GF30
Reinforced grade
GF30 = 30 % short glass fiber reinforced
Choose for stiff, creep-resistant structural parts at 200–260 °C where electrical insulation must be preserved.
Values for the GF30 condition
Other PEK grades and fills
PEK is listed in 3 conditions; see the grade overview at PEK.
Compare all 3 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bearing grade | Pick for unlubricated bushings, seals, thrust washers and bearing cages running hot and dry. | — | 130 | 2 | — |
GF30This page 30 % short glass fiber reinforced | Choose for stiff, creep-resistant structural parts at 200–260 °C where electrical insulation must be preserved. | — | 168 | 2.5 | 102 HRM |
30 % short carbon fiber reinforced | Highest stiffness/strength and lowest CTE with improved thermal conductivity and static dissipation — for metal-replacement structural and semiconductor parts. | — | 220 | 1.8 | 105 HRM |
What is PEK GF30?
PEK GF30 is PEK in the GF30 grade — choose for stiff, creep-resistant structural parts at 200–260 °C where electrical insulation must be preserved. PEK GF30 has a yield strength of 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 168 MPa (24.4 ksi) — stronger than 97% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 2.5% and the elastic modulus is 11 GPa (1.6 Msi). PEK GF30 has a density of 1.53 g/cm³ (0.0553 lb/in³), heavier than 89% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 157°C (315 °F).
Advantages
- High strength — 105 MPa (15.2 ksi), better than 97% of polymer grades
- Stiff — 11 GPa (1.6 Msi), better than 97% of polymer grades
- High service temperature — 260°C (500 °F), better than 97% of polymer grades
- Conducts heat well — 0.4 W/m·K (0.231 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 93% of polymer grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 90/100, better than 82% of polymer grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 22 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 100% of polymer grades
- Limited ductility — 2.5%, worse than 89% of polymer grades
- Heavy — 1.53 g/cm³ (0.0553 lb/in³), worse than 89% of polymer grades
- Difficult to machine — 40/100, worse than 82% of polymer grades
PEK GF30 properties
Typical room-temperature values for PEK GF30; 17 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are PEK reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical5
PEK GF30 has a density of 1.53 g/cm³ (0.0553 lb/in³), heavier than 89% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 157°C (315 °F).
Mechanical15
PEK GF30 has a yield strength of 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 168 MPa (24.4 ksi) — stronger than 97% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 2.5% and the elastic modulus is 11 GPa (1.6 Msi).
Thermal11
PEK GF30 is rated for continuous service to 260°C (500 °F). It conducts heat at 0.4 W/m·K (0.231 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 93% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 22 µm/m·K (12.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
PEK GF30 is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 20 kV/mm (508 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (90/100), better than 82% of polymer grades. UV resistance is fair.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of PEK GF30 takes about 320 MJ of energy and emits 22 kg of CO₂ — more than 98% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability8
PEK GF30's machinability is fair (40/100, worse than 82% of polymer grades); weldability good (55/100); formability poor (25/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with PEK GF30
Is PEK easy to machine?
Machines like PEEK but harder: sharp polycrystalline-diamond or carbide tooling, high speed with light feed, generous air/mist cooling, and stress-relief anneal near 200 °C before finishing to avoid post-machining distortion.
Can PEK be welded?
No solvent bonding; join by hot-plate, infrared, ultrasonic, laser transmission or induction welding at PAEK temperatures, or use high-temperature epoxy/polyimide adhesive after plasma or abrasive surface activation.
Can PEK be formed, bent or molded?
Inject or extrude at 390–415 °C melt with 180–220 °C tool temperature; dry pellets 3 h at 150 °C, use all-hardened high-temperature barrels and hot runners, and hold tool hot to develop full crystallinity (or anneal 200–250 °C for as-moulded amorphous skins).
What surface finishes work on PEK?
Takes fine machining and lapping to low Ra; can be laser marked and plasma-treated for printing or metallization, but is not paintable without primer and yellows in sunlight unless carbon-black pigmented.
PEK 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.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) |
|---|---|
| glass fiberGF30 variant only | ≈ 30 |
| carbon fiberCF30 variant only | ≈ 30 |
| PTFE + graphitebearing-grade lubricant package (with ~10 % carbon fiber) | ≈ 20 |
| poly(oxy-1,4-phenylene-carbonyl-1,4-phen1:1 ether:ketone backbone, CAS 27380-27-4; higher ketone content than PEEK | balance |
PEK GF30 — frequently asked
What is PEK GF30 used for?
PEK GF30 is typically used for aerospace insulation, high-temp bearings, downhole tooling components and high-performance electrical connectors. In short: higher temperature than PEEK; 260 °C continuous service; stiff at elevated temperature.
What is the yield strength of PEK GF30?
PEK GF30 has a typical yield strength of 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 168 MPa (24.4 ksi) — stronger than 97% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is PEK GF30 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (40/100, worse than 82% of polymer grades). Machines like PEEK but harder: sharp polycrystalline-diamond or carbide tooling, high speed with light feed, generous air/mist cooling, and stress-relief anneal near 200 °C before finishing to avoid post-machining distortion.
Can PEK GF30 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (55/100). No solvent bonding; join by hot-plate, infrared, ultrasonic, laser transmission or induction welding at PAEK temperatures, or use high-temperature epoxy/polyimide adhesive after plasma or abrasive surface activation.
What surface finishes work on PEK GF30?
Takes fine machining and lapping to low Ra; can be laser marked and plasma-treated for printing or metallization, but is not paintable without primer and yellows in sunlight unless carbon-black pigmented.
Can PEK GF30 be formed, bent or molded?
Inject or extrude at 390–415 °C melt with 180–220 °C tool temperature; dry pellets 3 h at 150 °C, use all-hardened high-temperature barrels and hot runners, and hold tool hot to develop full crystallinity (or anneal 200–250 °C for as-moulded amorphous skins).
What is the maximum service temperature of PEK GF30?
PEK GF30 is rated for continuous use to about 260°C (500 °F), and briefly to 320°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- Victrex HT (PEK) grade data and processing guide — Victrex plc (2022)
- PAEK/PEK semi-finished stock shape properties — Ensinger (2023)
- Poly(aryl ether ketone)s — properties and processing — Hanser / Plastics Handbook (2019)
- CAMPUS / UL Prospector high-temperature thermoplastics datasets — CAMPUS Plastics (2024)
- ISO 527 / ISO 178 / ISO 75 test methods for plastics — ISO (2019)
- PEEK/PAEK (2026)
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.