FabDigit

PET GF30

Reinforced grade

also Arnite A, Hostadur

GF30 = 30 % glass-fiber reinforced, heat-stabilized injection grade

Use for stiff, dimensionally stable structural mouldings needing 200 °C-class heat resistance (housings, connectors, under-hood brackets).

Values for the GF30 condition

Other PET grades and fills

PET is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at PET.

Compare all 7 grades and fillsHide
Grade · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %Hardness
Post-consumer recycled PET
Cost- and footprint-driven choice for sheet, strapping, fiber and non-critical mouldings; IV and colour vary batch to batch.55602583 Shore D
TX
Pick for unlubricated sliding: bushings, wear pads and guides where low friction and long wear life beat maximum strength.60683 Shore D
Impact-modified / toughened PET
Use when snap-fits, clips or impact-loaded housings need toughness that plain or glass-filled PET cannot supply.100105587 Shore D
Flame-retardant UL 94 V-0 grade
Choose where a UL 94 V-0 rating at 0.8–1.6 mm is mandatory, e.g. electrical connectors, coil bobbins and switch bodies.1352
GF30This page
30 % glass-fiber reinforced, heat-stabilized injection grade
Use for stiff, dimensionally stable structural mouldings needing 200 °C-class heat resistance (housings, connectors, under-hood brackets).1602.5100 HRM
45 % glass-fiber reinforced high-modulus grade
For maximum stiffness and creep resistance in thin-wall metal-replacement parts; brittle and abrasive to tooling.1852
30% Carbon Fiber
PET compounded with 30 wt% chopped carbon fiber for very high stiffness, low creep, low mold shrinkage and static-dissipative/conductive behavior.2001.8100 HRM

What is PET GF30?

PET GF30 is PET in the GF30 grade — use for stiff, dimensionally stable structural mouldings needing 200 °C-class heat resistance (housings, connectors, under-hood brackets). PET GF30 has a yield strength of 80 MPa (11.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 160 MPa (23.2 ksi) — stronger than 88% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 2.5% and the elastic modulus is 10 GPa (1.45 Msi). PET GF30 has a density of 1.56 g/cm³ (0.0564 lb/in³), heavier than 91% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 79°C (174 °F).

Advantages

  • Stiff — 10 GPa (1.45 Msi), better than 95% of polymer grades
  • Tough — resists crack growth — 4 MPa·√m (3.64 ksi·√in), better than 92% of polymer grades
  • Low, predictable mold shrinkage — 0.3%, better than 90% of polymer grades
  • High strength — 80 MPa (11.6 ksi), better than 88% of polymer grades
  • Low embodied carbon — 2.8 kg CO₂/kg, better than 86% of polymer grades

Limitations

  • Heavy — 1.56 g/cm³ (0.0564 lb/in³), worse than 91% of polymer grades
  • Limited ductility — 2.5%, worse than 89% 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

PET GF30 properties

Typical room-temperature values for PET GF30; 23 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are PET reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.

Physical7

PET GF30 has a density of 1.56 g/cm³ (0.0564 lb/in³), heavier than 91% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 79°C (174 °F).

Density1.56 g/cm³0.06 lb/in³
Melting Temperature (Tm)255°C491 °F
Glass Transition (Tg)79°C174 °F
Water Absorption (24 h)0.08%
Water Absorption (Saturation)0.5%
Refractive Index1.575
Light Transmission88%

Mechanical17

PET GF30 has a yield strength of 80 MPa (11.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 160 MPa (23.2 ksi) — stronger than 88% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 2.5% and the elastic modulus is 10 GPa (1.45 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus10 GPa1.5 Msi
Shear Modulus1.1 GPa0.16 Msi
Bulk Modulus5 GPa0.65 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.4
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)160 MPa23.2 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)80 MPa11.6 ksi
Elongation at Break2.5%
Compressive Strength150 MPa21.8 ksi
Compressive Modulus3 GPa0.44 Msi
Flexural Strength235 MPa34.1 ksi
Flexural Modulus9.3 GPa1.3 Msi
Shear Strength55 MPa8 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)4 MPa·√m3.6 ksi·√in
Izod Impact, Notched90 J/m1.7 ft·lbf/in
Hardness, Shore D85 Shore D
Hardness, Rockwell M100 HRM
Hardness, Rockwell R120 HRR

Thermal11

PET GF30 is rated for continuous service to 140°C (284 °F). It conducts heat at 0.3 W/m·K (0.173 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 83% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 25 µm/m·K (13.9 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity0.3 W/m·K0.17 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity1,150 J/kg·K0.27 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)25 µm/m·K13.9 µin/in·°F
Max Service Temperature (continuous)140°C284 °F
Min Service Temperature-20°C-4 °F
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa245°C473 °F
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa225°C437 °F
Vicat Softening Point (B50)180°C356 °F
Flammability (UL 94)HB
Limiting Oxygen Index23%
Max Service Temperature (short-term)150°C302 °F

Electrical7

PET GF30 is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 25 kV/mm (635 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m.

Electrical Resistivity1×10¹⁴ Ω·m3.94×10²¹ µΩ·in
Dielectric Strength25 kV/mm635 V/mil
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)3.8
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)0.018
Volume Resistivity1×10¹⁶ Ω·cm
Surface Resistivity1×10¹⁵ Ω
Comparative Tracking Index (CTI)275 V

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is very good (70/100), worse than 78% of polymer grades. UV resistance is poor.

Corrosion ResistanceVery good70/100
UV / Weathering ResistancePoor30/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryGood against dilute acids, oils, greases, fuels, alcohols and most non-polar solvents; hydrolyzes in hot water/steam above ~60 °C and is attacked by strong alkalis, ammonia, phenols and chlorinated/aromatic solvents at elevated temperature.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of PET GF30 takes about 82 MJ of energy and emits 2.8 kg of CO₂ — less than 83% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)82 MJ/kg35,254 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)2.8 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water120 L/kg14.4 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content25%

Manufacturability7

PET GF30's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 78% of polymer grades); weldability fair (45/100); formability fair (50/100).

MachinabilityFair45/100
WeldabilityFair45/100
Formability (cold)Fair50/100
PolishabilityGood60/100
Mold Shrinkage0.3%
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)280°C536 °F
Mold Temperature (typ.)110°C230 °F

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with PET GF30

Is PET easy to machine?

Machines like a free-cutting engineering plastic: sharp positive-rake carbide, high speed, light finishing passes and air/mist cooling give excellent surface finish and tight tolerances; watch for stress relief in thick stock (anneal before finish cuts).

Can PET be welded?

No solvent bonding — join by ultrasonic, hot-plate, IR or laser welding, or use cyanoacrylate/epoxy after abrasion/plasma treatment; mechanical fastening and self-tapping screws work well.

Can PET be formed, bent or molded?

Dry pellets to <0.02 % moisture (150 °C, 4 h desiccant) to avoid hydrolytic IV loss; melt 265–295 °C with hot mold 100–145 °C for full crystallization, or chilled mold/copolyester for clear amorphous APET sheet that thermoforms readily.

What surface finishes work on PET?

Takes machining, printing, hot stamping and vacuum metallizing well after corona/flame or plasma pre-treatment; can be laser-marked, but paint adhesion needs a primer and no plating/anodizing applies.

PET 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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
isophthalic acid / CHDM comonomerin bottle/APET copolyester grades to suppress crystallization0 – 31.5
glass fiber0 in default unfilled grade; 15–45 % in GF variants0 – 450
solid lubricant (PTFE/other)TX bearing grades0 – 200
flame retardant + synergistFR V-0 grades0 – 200
nucleant / heat stabilizer / mold releasstandard additive package0 – 30.5
ethylene terephthalate repeat unit (–C10polycondensate of purified terephthalic acid (PTA) or DMT with mono-ethylene glycol; Sb/Ti/Ge catalyst residues at ppm levelbalance

PET GF30 — frequently asked

What is PET GF30 used for?

PET GF30 is typically used for precision machined mechanical components, slide bearings and wear strips, pump and valve parts, electronic structural parts, beverage bottles and food packaging film. In short: durable industrial PET.

What is the yield strength of PET GF30?

PET GF30 has a typical yield strength of 80 MPa (11.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 160 MPa (23.2 ksi) — stronger than 88% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.

Is PET GF30 easy to machine?

Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 78% of polymer grades). Machines like a free-cutting engineering plastic: sharp positive-rake carbide, high speed, light finishing passes and air/mist cooling give excellent surface finish and tight tolerances; watch for stress relief in thick stock (anneal before finish cuts).

Can PET GF30 be welded?

With care — weldability is rated fair (45/100). No solvent bonding — join by ultrasonic, hot-plate, IR or laser welding, or use cyanoacrylate/epoxy after abrasion/plasma treatment; mechanical fastening and self-tapping screws work well.

What surface finishes work on PET GF30?

Takes machining, printing, hot stamping and vacuum metallizing well after corona/flame or plasma pre-treatment; can be laser-marked, but paint adhesion needs a primer and no plating/anodizing applies.

Can PET GF30 be formed, bent or molded?

Dry pellets to <0.02 % moisture (150 °C, 4 h desiccant) to avoid hydrolytic IV loss; melt 265–295 °C with hot mold 100–145 °C for full crystallization, or chilled mold/copolyester for clear amorphous APET sheet that thermoforms readily.

What is the maximum service temperature of PET GF30?

PET GF30 is rated for continuous use to about 140°C (284 °F), and briefly to 150°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

Can FabDigit make parts in PET GF30?

Yes — PET GF30 is available for CNC machining, sheet metal and injection molding with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.

Sources

  1. Ertalyte / Ertalyte TX PET-P stock shapes datasheet — Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials (Quadrant) (2022)
  2. Rynite PET thermoplastic polyester resin product & molding guide — DuPont / Celanese (2021)
  3. Arnite A (PET) grade datasheets — Envalior / DSM Engineering Materials (2023)
  4. CAMPUS plastics database — PET unfilled and GF grades — CWFG / CAMPUS consortium (2024)
  5. Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 2: Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
  6. ASTM D5927 — Standard Specification for Thermoplastic Polyester (TPES) Molding and Extrusion Materials — ASTM (2021)
  7. ISO 7792-1/-2 — Plastics, thermoplastic polyester (TP) moulding and extrusion materials — ISO (2012)

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.