Ultem 2300 GF20
Reinforced grade
GF20 = 20% glass-fiber reinforced
Intermediate stiffness/toughness compromise for thin-wall electronic housings and connectors.
Values for the GF20 condition
Other Ultem 2300 grades and fills
Ultem 2300 is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at Ultem 2300.
Compare all 6 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
10% glass-fiber reinforced | Pick when moderate stiffness gain and low warpage/better surface than higher GF loadings are needed. | — | 117 | 6 | 110 HRM |
GF20This page 20% glass-fiber reinforced | Intermediate stiffness/toughness compromise for thin-wall electronic housings and connectors. | — | 145 | 3.5 | 112 HRM |
Machined stock shape, extruded/compression-molded PEI-GF30 plate & rod | Choose for low-volume CNC-machined parts (Ensinger TECAPEI GF30 / Duratron-type semi-finished stock) instead of injection molding. | 160 | 160 | 2.5 | 89 Shore D |
Black / UV-stabilized colored compound | Pick pigmented black or UV-stabilized versions for outdoor, cabin-interior or light-exposed parts where amber-to-yellow shift is unacceptable. | 165 | 165 | 2.8 | 90 Shore D |
GF30Default 30% glass-fiber reinforced | Standard structural PEI: best balance of stiffness, strength and moldability for aerospace brackets, connectors and housings. | — | 169 | 3 | 114 HRM |
40% glass-fiber reinforced | Maximum stiffness and lowest CTE of the 2000 series; use for metal-replacement structural parts where surface finish is secondary. | — | 193 | 2 | 116 HRM |
What is Ultem 2300 GF20?
Ultem 2300 GF20 is Ultem 2300 in the GF20 grade — intermediate stiffness/toughness compromise for thin-wall electronic housings and connectors. Ultem 2300 GF20 has a yield strength of 169 MPa (24.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 145 MPa (21 ksi) — stronger than 99% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 3.5% and the elastic modulus is 6.9 GPa (1 Msi). Ultem 2300 GF20 has a density of 1.42 g/cm³ (0.0513 lb/in³), heavier than 83% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 217°C (423 °F). GF30 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; GF20 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 169 MPa (24.5 ksi), better than 99% of polymer grades
- Stiff — 6.9 GPa (1 Msi), better than 90% of polymer grades
- High service temperature — 170°C (338 °F), better than 83% of polymer grades
- Conducts heat well — 0.3 W/m·K (0.173 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 83% of polymer grades
- Low, predictable mold shrinkage — 0.4%, better than 82% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Limited formability — 10/100, worse than 87% of polymer grades
- Heavy — 1.42 g/cm³ (0.0513 lb/in³), worse than 83% of polymer grades
- High embodied carbon — 8 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 83% of polymer grades
- Limited ductility — 3.5%, worse than 79% of polymer grades
Ultem 2300 GF20 properties
Typical room-temperature values for Ultem 2300 GF20; 12 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Ultem 2300 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical4
Ultem 2300 GF20 has a density of 1.42 g/cm³ (0.0513 lb/in³), heavier than 83% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 217°C (423 °F).
Mechanical15
Ultem 2300 GF20 has a yield strength of 169 MPa (24.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 145 MPa (21 ksi) — stronger than 99% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 3.5% and the elastic modulus is 6.9 GPa (1 Msi).
Thermal11
Ultem 2300 GF20 is rated for continuous service to 170°C (338 °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).
Electrical7
Ultem 2300 GF20 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 (85/100), better than 65% of polymer grades. UV resistance is fair.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Ultem 2300 GF20 takes about 160 MJ of energy and emits 8 kg of CO₂ — more than 85% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability8
Ultem 2300 GF20's machinability is good (60/100, better than 51% of polymer grades); weldability fair (45/100); formability not recommended (10/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Ultem 2300 GF20
Is Ultem 2300 easy to machine?
Machines cleanly but the glass is abrasive — use sharp carbide or PCD tooling, high speed / moderate feed, air or mist cooling, and avoid deep sharp corners because the material is notch-sensitive.
Can Ultem 2300 be welded?
Ultrasonic, vibration and hot-plate welding all work at PEI temperatures, but 30% GF cuts joint strength to roughly half of the base resin; adhesive bonding with epoxy after plasma/abrasion is common.
Can Ultem 2300 be formed, bent or molded?
Dry to <0.02% moisture (150 °C, 4–6 h), mold at 350–400 °C melt and 135–175 °C tool, use generous gates and 700–1400 bar hold pressure; expect anisotropic shrinkage (0.2–0.5% flow vs 0.5–0.8% cross-flow).
What surface finishes work on Ultem 2300?
Takes vapor-honed, bead-blast or textured tool finishes; paintable and metallizable after primer, but fiber read-through limits high-gloss appearance and no annealing above 200 °C is needed for most parts (stress relief 180 °C/2 h if machined).
Ultem 2300 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 fibershort chopped E-glass, sized for PEI | 28 – 32 | 30 |
| pigments/processing additivescolorant and mold-release, grade dependent | 0 – 1.5 | 0.5 |
| polyetherimide (BPA-dianhydride / m-phenamorphous matrix resin | ≥ 68 (balance) | — |
Ultem 2300 GF20 — frequently asked
What is Ultem 2300 GF20 used for?
Ultem 2300 GF20 is typically used for aircraft ducting brackets, structural electrical housings, high-stiffness connectors and under-hood automotive components. In short: stiffest standard PEI grade; structural aerospace polyetherimide; notch sensitive, abrasive to tools.
What is the yield strength of Ultem 2300 GF20?
Ultem 2300 GF20 has a typical yield strength of 169 MPa (24.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 145 MPa (21 ksi) — stronger than 99% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is Ultem 2300 GF20 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (60/100, better than 51% of polymer grades). Machines cleanly but the glass is abrasive — use sharp carbide or PCD tooling, high speed / moderate feed, air or mist cooling, and avoid deep sharp corners because the material is notch-sensitive.
Can Ultem 2300 GF20 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (45/100). Ultrasonic, vibration and hot-plate welding all work at PEI temperatures, but 30% GF cuts joint strength to roughly half of the base resin; adhesive bonding with epoxy after plasma/abrasion is common.
What surface finishes work on Ultem 2300 GF20?
Takes vapor-honed, bead-blast or textured tool finishes; paintable and metallizable after primer, but fiber read-through limits high-gloss appearance and no annealing above 200 °C is needed for most parts (stress relief 180 °C/2 h if machined).
Can Ultem 2300 GF20 be formed, bent or molded?
Dry to <0.02% moisture (150 °C, 4–6 h), mold at 350–400 °C melt and 135–175 °C tool, use generous gates and 700–1400 bar hold pressure; expect anisotropic shrinkage (0.2–0.5% flow vs 0.5–0.8% cross-flow).
What is the maximum service temperature of Ultem 2300 GF20?
Ultem 2300 GF20 is rated for continuous use to about 170°C (338 °F), and briefly to 200°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between Ultem 2300 GF30 and Ultem 2300 SS-GF30?
GF30 is the default condition — standard structural PEI: best balance of stiffness, strength and moldability for aerospace brackets, connectors and housings. SS-GF30: choose for low-volume CNC-machined parts (Ensinger TECAPEI GF30 / Duratron-type semi-finished stock) instead of injection molding. Yield strength is 169 MPa in GF30 versus 160 MPa in SS-GF30.
Sources
- ULTEM Resin 2300 product datasheet — SABIC Specialties (2023)
- CAMPUS plastics data for PEI GF30 — CAMPUS / CWFG (2023)
- TECAPEI GF30 natural stock shape data — Ensinger (2022)
- Engineering Plastics, ASM Engineered Materials Handbook Vol.2 — ASM International (1988)
- ASTM D638 / D790 / D256 / D648 / D257 test methods — ASTM International (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.