PP-GF30 GF30-IM
Grade
GF30-IM = impact-modified / copolymer-matrix 30% GF
Use when cold-temperature ductility and drop impact matter more than peak stiffness.
Values for the GF30-IM condition
Other PP-GF30 grades and fills
PP-GF30 is listed in 13 conditions; see the grade overview at PP-GF30.
Compare all 13 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
10% chopped glass fiber, coupled | Lowest-cost stiffening step when only modest modulus/HDT gain and good ductility are needed. | — | 43 | 6 | — |
30% glass fiber, uncoupled | Cheap stiffening filler grade for non-structural parts where fiber/matrix adhesion is not critical. | 55 | 55 | 2.5 | 77 Shore D |
20% chopped glass fiber, coupled | Balanced compromise of stiffness, toughness and low warpage for housings and covers. | — | 68 | 4 | — |
GF30-IMThis page Impact-modified / copolymer-matrix 30% GF | Use when cold-temperature ductility and drop impact matter more than peak stiffness. | 70 | 70 | 5 | 76 Shore D |
GF30-FR V-0 | Pick for electrical enclosures and appliance parts requiring UL 94 V-0; accepts lower toughness and higher density. | 72 | 72 | 2.2 | 80 Shore D |
Recyclate-based (PCR/regrind) 30% GF compound | Cost- and CO2-reduced compound from post-industrial/post-consumer PP; expect wider property scatter and darker color only. | 72 | 72 | 2.5 | 78 Shore D |
Conductive / ESD glass-fiber PP | For static-dissipative housings, fuel-system and material-handling parts needing controlled surface resistance. | 78 | 78 | 2.2 | 80 Shore D |
UV / weather-stabilized 30% GF | HALS/UV-absorber package for outdoor parts such as garden equipment, meter boxes and roof fixtures. | 84 | 84 | 3 | 80 Shore D |
GF30Default 30% chopped glass fiber, maleic-anhydride coupled | The workhorse structural GF-PP: best strength/stiffness per cost for pump housings, fan shrouds and brackets. | — | 85 | 3 | — |
Heat-stabilized (long-term thermal aging) 30% GF | Phenolic/phosphite + metal-deactivator package for 130 °C continuous under-hood and appliance service. | 85 | 85 | 3 | 80 Shore D |
40% chopped glass fiber, coupled | Maximum practical short-fiber stiffness for load-bearing brackets and metal-replacement parts. | — | 105 | 2.3 | — |
30% long glass fiber | Choose for structural parts needing high notched impact, creep and fatigue performance at low temperature. | — | 105 | 2.8 | — |
50% chopped glass fiber, coupled | Specialty high-modulus compound where deflection, not toughness or surface, governs. | — | 118 | 1.8 | — |
What is PP-GF30 GF30-IM?
PP-GF30 GF30-IM is PP-GF30 in the GF30-IM grade — use when cold-temperature ductility and drop impact matter more than peak stiffness. PP-GF30 GF30-IM has a yield strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) — stronger than 79% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 4.8 GPa (0.696 Msi). PP-GF30 GF30-IM has a density of 1.12 g/cm³ (0.0405 lb/in³), lighter than 64% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -8°C (18 °F). GF30 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; GF30-IM is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 2.6 kg CO₂/kg, better than 89% of polymer grades
- Stiff — 4.8 GPa (0.696 Msi), better than 88% of polymer grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 90/100, better than 82% of polymer grades
- Low moisture uptake — 0.06%, better than 82% of polymer grades
- High strength — 70 MPa (10.2 ksi), better than 79% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 25/100, worse than 90% of polymer grades
- Degrades in UV without stabilisers — 25/100, worse than 76% of polymer grades
PP-GF30 GF30-IM properties
Typical room-temperature values for PP-GF30 GF30-IM; 27 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are PP-GF30 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical5
PP-GF30 GF30-IM has a density of 1.12 g/cm³ (0.0405 lb/in³), lighter than 64% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -8°C (18 °F).
Mechanical13
PP-GF30 GF30-IM has a yield strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) — stronger than 79% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 4.8 GPa (0.696 Msi).
Thermal11
PP-GF30 GF30-IM is rated for continuous service to 110°C (230 °F). It conducts heat at 0.25 W/m·K (0.144 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 72% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 30 µm/m·K (16.7 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
PP-GF30 GF30-IM is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 28 kV/mm (711.2 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 poor.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PP-GF30 GF30-IM takes about 80 MJ of energy and emits 2.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 85% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.
Manufacturability8
PP-GF30 GF30-IM's machinability is good (60/100, better than 51% of polymer grades); weldability good (55/100); formability poor (20/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with PP-GF30 GF30-IM
Is PP-GF30 easy to machine?
Machines easily but glass fibers are highly abrasive — use carbide or PCD tooling, sharp positive rake, high speed and low feed; keep parts cool to avoid smearing.
Can PP-GF30 be welded?
Ultrasonic, vibration, hot-plate and IR welding all work; joint strength is limited to roughly matrix strength (~40–60% of base) because fibers do not cross the weld, and adhesive bonding requires flame/plasma pretreatment.
Can PP-GF30 be formed, bent or molded?
Injection mold at 225–260 °C melt and 40–90 °C tool with generous gates and low shear to preserve fiber length; anisotropic shrinkage (0.2–0.6% flow vs 0.8–1.2% transverse) makes gate placement and rib design the key warpage controls.
What surface finishes work on PP-GF30?
Not paintable or platable without flame/plasma or corona treatment plus adhesion promoter; textured tool surfaces or a low-fiber skin layer hide glass read-through better than gloss finishes.
PP-GF30 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, 10–14 µm, silane sized | 28 – 32 | 30 |
| maleic-anhydride-grafted PP (coupling agomitted in uncoupled grades | 0.8 – 3 | 1.5 |
| heat/process stabilizers, antioxidantshindered phenol + phosphite | 0.2 – 0.8 | 0.4 |
| pigment / carbon blackcolor and UV screening | 0 – 1.5 | 0.3 |
| polypropylene (homo/copolymer)matrix resin, MFR 10–100 base | ≥ 66 (balance) | — |
PP-GF30 GF30-IM — frequently asked
What is PP-GF30 GF30-IM used for?
PP-GF30 GF30-IM is typically used for automotive under-hood brackets, structural housings, battery trays, furniture components and load-bearing enclosures. In short: stiffest cost-effective PP; metal-replacement PP grade; abrasive to tooling.
What is the yield strength of PP-GF30 GF30-IM?
PP-GF30 GF30-IM has a typical yield strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) — stronger than 79% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 13 listed tempers.
Is PP-GF30 GF30-IM easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (60/100, better than 51% of polymer grades). Machines easily but glass fibers are highly abrasive — use carbide or PCD tooling, sharp positive rake, high speed and low feed; keep parts cool to avoid smearing.
Can PP-GF30 GF30-IM be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (55/100). Ultrasonic, vibration, hot-plate and IR welding all work; joint strength is limited to roughly matrix strength (~40–60% of base) because fibers do not cross the weld, and adhesive bonding requires flame/plasma pretreatment.
What surface finishes work on PP-GF30 GF30-IM?
Not paintable or platable without flame/plasma or corona treatment plus adhesion promoter; textured tool surfaces or a low-fiber skin layer hide glass read-through better than gloss finishes.
Can PP-GF30 GF30-IM be formed, bent or molded?
Injection mold at 225–260 °C melt and 40–90 °C tool with generous gates and low shear to preserve fiber length; anisotropic shrinkage (0.2–0.6% flow vs 0.8–1.2% transverse) makes gate placement and rib design the key warpage controls.
What is the maximum service temperature of PP-GF30 GF30-IM?
PP-GF30 GF30-IM is rated for continuous use to about 110°C (230 °F), and briefly to 145°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between PP-GF30 GF30 and PP-GF30 GF30-UC?
GF30 is the default condition — the workhorse structural GF-PP: best strength/stiffness per cost for pump housings, fan shrouds and brackets. GF30-UC: cheap stiffening filler grade for non-structural parts where fiber/matrix adhesion is not critical. Yield strength is 70 MPa in GF30 versus 55 MPa in GF30-UC.
Sources
- ISO 1873-1 / ISO 1874 designation system for PP moulding materials — ISO (2016)
- ASTM D4101 Standard Classification for Polypropylene Injection and Extrusion Materials — ASTM International (2023)
- CAMPUS plastics database — glass-fibre reinforced PP compounds — CWFG/CAMPUS (2024)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 2: Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
- Glass-fibre reinforced polypropylene compound datasheets (Borealis Fibremod, SABIC STAMAX, Celanese/Celstran, LyondellBasell Hostacom) — various producers (2024)
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.