Sumikasuper GF30
Reinforced grade · default condition
ISO LCP
GF30 = 30% glass-fiber reinforced
The default workhorse for SMT connectors, FPC sockets, coil bobbins and relay parts needing lead-free reflow survival plus stiffness.
Values for the GF30 condition
Other Sumikasuper grades and fills
Sumikasuper is listed in 13 conditions; see the grade overview at Sumikasuper.
Compare all 13 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mineral (talc/mica) filled | Pick when isotropic shrinkage, smooth surface and low mold/tool abrasion matter more than peak strength. | — | 110 | 1.8 | 87 Shore D |
Internally lubricated wear grade | Choose for unlubricated bushings, thrust washers and sliding parts running hot in chemically aggressive media. | — | 110 | 1.8 | 86 Shore D |
White / high-reflectance LED reflector grade | Choose for LED reflector cups and lamp housings needing high initial whiteness plus resistance to reflow and thermal yellowing. | — | 120 | 1.6 | 88 Shore D |
Glass + mineral hybrid, low-warpage / low-anisotropy | Choose for flat, large or thin plate-like parts where flow/transverse shrinkage difference and warpage must be minimized. | — | 130 | 1.8 | — |
Conductive / static-dissipative | Pick for IC trays, burn-in sockets and semiconductor handling parts requiring controlled surface resistivity at high temperature. | — | 130 | 1.5 | 88 Shore D |
Laser-direct-structuring / plateable grade | Use for molded interconnect devices where circuit traces are laser-activated and copper/nickel/gold plated onto the part. | — | 140 | 1.6 | 88 Shore D |
Low-dielectric high-frequency (5G / mmWave) grade | Pick for antenna carriers, mmWave connectors and high-speed board components where Dk/Df at GHz frequencies is the design driver. | — | 145 | 2 | 87 Shore D |
Unfilled / natural resin | Pick when maximum flow, lowest dielectric loss and self-reinforced anisotropic strength are wanted (film, fiber, thin liners); rarely used for structural molded parts. | — | 150 | 3 | — |
15% glass-fiber reinforced | Choose for very thin-wall connectors where flow must stay high but some stiffness and reduced anisotropy are needed. | — | 150 | 2.6 | — |
High-heat / high-Tm series | Select when parts must survive repeated lead-free reflow, 260–300 °C soldering or continuous service above 240 °C. | — | 155 | 1.8 | — |
GF30DefaultThis page 30% glass-fiber reinforced | The default workhorse for SMT connectors, FPC sockets, coil bobbins and relay parts needing lead-free reflow survival plus stiffness. | — | 160 | 2.2 | — |
40% glass-fiber reinforced | Use where maximum stiffness, creep resistance and HDT are required and flow length is short. | — | 175 | 1.8 | — |
30% carbon-fiber reinforced | Use for lightweight, very stiff, dimensionally ultra-stable and semi-conductive precision parts (optics mounts, wafer handling). | — | 200 | 1.4 | — |
What is Sumikasuper GF30?
Sumikasuper GF30 is Sumikasuper in the GF30 grade — the default workhorse for SMT connectors, FPC sockets, coil bobbins and relay parts needing lead-free reflow survival plus stiffness. Sumikasuper GF30 has a tensile strength of 160 MPa (23.2 ksi), stronger than 96% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 2.2% and the elastic modulus is 14 GPa (2.03 Msi). Sumikasuper GF30 has a density of 1.62 g/cm³ (0.0585 lb/in³), heavier than 94% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 120°C (248 °F).
Advantages
- Stiff — 14 GPa (2.03 Msi), better than 98% of polymer grades
- Conducts heat well — 0.5 W/m·K (0.289 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 98% of polymer grades
- Low, predictable mold shrinkage — 0.2%, better than 94% of polymer grades
- Low moisture uptake — 0.02%, better than 92% of polymer grades
- High service temperature — 220°C (428 °F), better than 89% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Heavy — 1.62 g/cm³ (0.0585 lb/in³), worse than 94% of polymer grades
- Limited ductility — 2.2%, worse than 92% of polymer grades
- High embodied carbon — 8.5 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 85% of polymer grades
- Difficult to machine — 45/100, worse than 78% of polymer grades
Sumikasuper GF30 properties
Typical room-temperature values for Sumikasuper GF30; 12 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Sumikasuper reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical5
Sumikasuper GF30 has a density of 1.62 g/cm³ (0.0585 lb/in³), heavier than 94% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 120°C (248 °F).
Mechanical10
Sumikasuper GF30 has a tensile strength of 160 MPa (23.2 ksi), stronger than 96% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 2.2% and the elastic modulus is 14 GPa (2.03 Msi).
Thermal10
Sumikasuper GF30 is rated for continuous service to 220°C (428 °F). It conducts heat at 0.5 W/m·K (0.289 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 98% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 8 µm/m·K (4.44 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
Sumikasuper GF30 is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 40 kV/mm (1,016 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹³ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (90/100), better than 82% of polymer grades. UV resistance is fair.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Sumikasuper GF30 takes about 160 MJ of energy and emits 8.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 85% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability8
Sumikasuper GF30's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 78% of polymer grades); weldability poor (30/100); formability poor (20/100).
Common Calculations4
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Sumikasuper GF30
Is Sumikasuper easy to machine?
Machinable with sharp PCD/carbide tooling and light feeds, but the fibrillar skin delaminates and glass is abrasive — design for net-shape molding wherever possible.
Can Sumikasuper be welded?
Ultrasonic and vibration welds are weak because of skin-core orientation; laser transmission welding, snap fits, heat staking or adhesive with plasma pretreatment are preferred.
Can Sumikasuper be formed, bent or molded?
Dry 3–4 h at 130–150 °C, mold at 340–370 °C melt / 80–150 °C tool with fast injection and generous venting; fills 0.2 mm walls but weld lines and flash need gate-location and 0.005–0.01 mm tool fit control.
What surface finishes work on Sumikasuper?
Low surface energy means paint and adhesives require plasma or corona pretreatment; LDS grades accept electroless Cu/Ni/Au, and pigmented white grades keep reflectance after reflow.
Sumikasuper 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 |
|---|---|---|
| p-hydroxybenzoic acid (HBA) unitType I wholly aromatic polyester backbone | 50 – 80 | 65 |
| 4,4'-biphenol unit | 8 – 25 | 17 |
| terephthalic acid unit | 8 – 25 | 18 |
| glass fiberchopped E-glass in the default GF30 variant | 0 – 50 | 30 |
| mineral filler / pigment / lubricantvariant dependent (talc, mica, TiO2, PTFE, carbon) | 0 – 25 | 0 |
Sumikasuper GF30 — frequently asked
What is Sumikasuper GF30 used for?
Sumikasuper GF30 is typically used for mobile phone connectors, camera shutter parts, micro switches and optical pickup components. In short: high dimensional accuracy LCP; thin-wall precision electronics grade; broad filled-grade range.
What is the tensile strength of Sumikasuper GF30?
Sumikasuper GF30 has a typical tensile strength of 160 MPa (23.2 ksi) — stronger than 96% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 13 listed tempers.
Is Sumikasuper GF30 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 78% of polymer grades). Machinable with sharp PCD/carbide tooling and light feeds, but the fibrillar skin delaminates and glass is abrasive — design for net-shape molding wherever possible.
Can Sumikasuper GF30 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). Ultrasonic and vibration welds are weak because of skin-core orientation; laser transmission welding, snap fits, heat staking or adhesive with plasma pretreatment are preferred.
What surface finishes work on Sumikasuper GF30?
Low surface energy means paint and adhesives require plasma or corona pretreatment; LDS grades accept electroless Cu/Ni/Au, and pigmented white grades keep reflectance after reflow.
Can Sumikasuper GF30 be formed, bent or molded?
Dry 3–4 h at 130–150 °C, mold at 340–370 °C melt / 80–150 °C tool with fast injection and generous venting; fills 0.2 mm walls but weld lines and flash need gate-location and 0.005–0.01 mm tool fit control.
What is the maximum service temperature of Sumikasuper GF30?
Sumikasuper GF30 is rated for continuous use to about 220°C (428 °F), and briefly to 300°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- Sumikasuper LCP grade list and processing guide — Sumitomo Chemical (2023)
- CAMPUS plastics datasheets — liquid crystal polymer (LCP), glass-reinforced — CAMPUS / CWFG (2024)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 2: Engineering Plastics — liquid crystal polymers — ASM International (1988)
- ISO 527 / ISO 178 / ISO 75 test methods referenced for tensile, flexural and HDT data — ISO (2019)
- UL 94 Tests for Flammability of Plastic Materials — UL Solutions (2021)
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.