Ultem 2300 SS-GF30
Finish state
SS-GF30 = 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.
Values for the SS-GF30 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 |
20% glass-fiber reinforced | Intermediate stiffness/toughness compromise for thin-wall electronic housings and connectors. | — | 145 | 3.5 | 112 HRM |
SS-GF30This page 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 SS-GF30?
Ultem 2300 SS-GF30 is Ultem 2300 supplied in the SS-GF30 condition — choose for low-volume CNC-machined parts (Ensinger TECAPEI GF30 / Duratron-type semi-finished stock) instead of injection molding. Ultem 2300 SS-GF30 has a yield strength of 160 MPa (23.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 160 MPa (23.2 ksi) — stronger than 99% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 2.5% and the elastic modulus is 8.5 GPa (1.23 Msi). Ultem 2300 SS-GF30 has a density of 1.51 g/cm³ (0.0546 lb/in³), heavier than 88% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 217°C (423 °F). GF30 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; SS-GF30 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 160 MPa (23.2 ksi), better than 99% of polymer grades
- Stiff — 8.5 GPa (1.23 Msi), better than 91% of polymer grades
- Low, predictable mold shrinkage — 0.3%, 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
Limitations
- Limited formability — 8/100, worse than 91% of polymer grades
- Limited ductility — 2.5%, worse than 89% of polymer grades
- Heavy — 1.51 g/cm³ (0.0546 lb/in³), worse than 88% of polymer grades
- High embodied carbon — 8 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 83% of polymer grades
- Difficult to weld — 15/100, worse than 78% of polymer grades
Ultem 2300 SS-GF30 properties
Typical room-temperature values for Ultem 2300 SS-GF30; 25 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 SS-GF30 has a density of 1.51 g/cm³ (0.0546 lb/in³), heavier than 88% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 217°C (423 °F).
Mechanical15
Ultem 2300 SS-GF30 has a yield strength of 160 MPa (23.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 160 MPa (23.2 ksi) — stronger than 99% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 2.5% and the elastic modulus is 8.5 GPa (1.23 Msi).
Thermal11
Ultem 2300 SS-GF30 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 20 µm/m·K (11.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
Ultem 2300 SS-GF30 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 SS-GF30 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 SS-GF30's machinability is good (55/100, worse than 64% of polymer grades); weldability poor (15/100); formability not recommended (8/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Ultem 2300 SS-GF30
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 SS-GF30 — frequently asked
What is Ultem 2300 SS-GF30 used for?
Ultem 2300 SS-GF30 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 SS-GF30?
Ultem 2300 SS-GF30 has a typical yield strength of 160 MPa (23.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 160 MPa (23.2 ksi) — stronger than 99% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is Ultem 2300 SS-GF30 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, worse than 64% 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 SS-GF30 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (15/100). 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 SS-GF30?
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 SS-GF30 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 SS-GF30?
Ultem 2300 SS-GF30 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 BK-UV?
GF30 is the default condition — standard structural PEI: best balance of stiffness, strength and moldability for aerospace brackets, connectors and housings. BK-UV: pick pigmented black or UV-stabilized versions for outdoor, cabin-interior or light-exposed parts where amber-to-yellow shift is unacceptable. Yield strength is 160 MPa in GF30 versus 165 MPa in BK-UV.
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.