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Vinyl Ester GF30-CSM

Reinforced grade

GF30-CSM = glass-reinforced laminate, ~30 wt% chopped strand mat

Standard corrosion-tank/pipe laminate body: isotropic, easy to build up, moderate strength.

Standard cost $$

Values for the GF30-CSM condition

Other Vinyl Ester grades and fills

Vinyl Ester is listed in 10 conditions; see the grade overview at Vinyl Ester.

Compare all 10 grades and fillsHide
Grade · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %Hardness
Mineral/silica-filled vinyl ester
For acid-proof floor mortars, brick-lining bedding and thick trowelled coatings where shrinkage and cost must drop.—300.6—
Elastomer-modified (rubber-toughened) vinyl ester
Choose for impact, abrasion, thermal-shock and adhesion-critical linings; trades ~15 °C of HDT for toughness.—769—
Flame-retardant vinyl ester (brominated or ATH-filled), UL 94 V-0 /…
Required for ducting, scrubbers, mass transit and offshore FRP where fire code applies.—764.5—
Novolac (phenolic) epoxy vinyl ester
Pick when service exceeds ~100 °C or the medium contains hot acids, solvents or oxidizers.—783.5—
Urethane-modified vinyl ester
Use for high HDT with good toughness/adhesion in pultrusion, gratings and cured-in-place liners.—80688 Shore D
Low-styrene-emission / low-VOC vinyl ester
Choose for open-mold shop work under VOC limits; mechanical properties near standard grade but interlaminar bonding needs sanding.—80587 Shore D
NEATDefault
Neat cast resin
Default general-purpose corrosion resin for tanks, pipe and FRP linings up to ~95 °C.—845.588 Shore D
GF30-CSMThis page
Glass-reinforced laminate, ~30 wt% chopped strand mat
Standard corrosion-tank/pipe laminate body: isotropic, easy to build up, moderate strength.—1201.8—
Glass-reinforced, ~55–65 wt% continuous roving
Highest structural efficiency for pressure pipe, tank hoop layers and pultruded profiles; properties are directional.—5502—
Carbon-fiber reinforced vinyl ester laminate
Niche stiffness-critical corrosion/marine parts and VARTM structures where glass is too flexible.—1,0001.2—

What is Vinyl Ester GF30-CSM?

Vinyl Ester GF30-CSM is Vinyl Ester in the GF30-CSM grade — standard corrosion-tank/pipe laminate body: isotropic, easy to build up, moderate strength. Vinyl Ester GF30-CSM has a tensile strength of 120 MPa (17.4 ksi), stronger than 93% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 1.8% and the elastic modulus is 9 GPa (1.31 Msi). Vinyl Ester GF30-CSM has a density of 1.5 g/cm³ (0.0542 lb/in³), heavier than 88% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 120°C (248 °F). NEAT is the default condition FabDigit quotes; GF30-CSM is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • Stiff — 9 GPa (1.31 Msi), better than 93% of polymer grades
  • Conducts heat well — 0.28 W/m·K (0.162 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of polymer grades

Limitations

  • Limited ductility — 1.8%, worse than 97% of polymer grades
  • Limited formability — 5/100, worse than 95% of polymer grades
  • Low fracture toughness — 0.85 MPa·√m (0.774 ksi·√in), worse than 91% of polymer grades
  • Difficult to weld — 5/100, worse than 89% of polymer grades
  • Heavy — 1.5 g/cm³ (0.0542 lb/in³), worse than 88% of polymer grades

Vinyl Ester GF30-CSM properties

Typical room-temperature values for Vinyl Ester GF30-CSM; 14 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Vinyl Ester reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.

Physical5

Vinyl Ester GF30-CSM has a density of 1.5 g/cm³ (0.0542 lb/in³), heavier than 88% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 120°C (248 °F).

Density1.5 g/cm³0.05 lb/in³
Glass Transition (Tg)120°C248 °F
Water Absorption (24 h)0.15%
Water Absorption (Saturation)0.8%
Refractive Index1.55

Mechanical15

Vinyl Ester GF30-CSM has a tensile strength of 120 MPa (17.4 ksi), stronger than 93% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 1.8% and the elastic modulus is 9 GPa (1.31 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus9 GPa1.3 Msi
Shear Modulus1.2 GPa0.17 Msi
Bulk Modulus4 GPa0.58 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.36
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)120 MPa17.4 ksi
Elongation at Break1.8%
Compressive Strength150 MPa21.8 ksi
Compressive Modulus3.3 GPa0.48 Msi
Flexural Strength200 MPa29 ksi
Flexural Modulus8 GPa1.2 Msi
Shear Strength70 MPa10.2 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)0.85 MPa·√m0.77 ksi·√in
Izod Impact, Notched700 J/m13.1 ft·lbf/in
Hardness, Shore D88 Shore D
Hardness, Rockwell M105 HRM

Thermal10

Vinyl Ester GF30-CSM is rated for continuous service to 95°C (203 °F). It conducts heat at 0.28 W/m·K (0.162 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 25 µm/m·K (13.9 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity0.28 W/m·K0.16 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity1,300 J/kg·K0.31 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)25 µm/m·K13.9 µin/in·°F
Max Service Temperature (continuous)95°C203 °F
Min Service Temperature-40°C-40 °F
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa120°C248 °F
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa110°C230 °F
Flammability (UL 94)HB
Limiting Oxygen Index21%
Max Service Temperature (short-term)120°C248 °F

Electrical7

Vinyl Ester GF30-CSM is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 17 kV/mm (431.8 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹³ Ω·m.

Electrical Resistivity1×10¹³ Ω·m3.94×10²⁰ µΩ·in
Dielectric Strength17 kV/mm432 V/mil
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)3.3
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)0.02
Volume Resistivity1×10¹⁵ Ω·cm
Surface Resistivity1×10¹⁴ Ω
Comparative Tracking Index (CTI)550 V

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is very good (80/100), worse than 52% of polymer grades. UV resistance is fair.

Corrosion ResistanceVery good80/100
UV / Weathering ResistanceFair45/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryExcellent against dilute and many concentrated acids, chlorides, bleach, seawater, hot brine and solvent-containing waste streams; novolac grades handle hot organic acids and solvents. Attacked by hot concentrated caustic (bis-A grades limited to ~50–80 °C alkali), concentrated sulfuric/nitric acid, ketones, chlorinated solvents and long UV exposure without gel coat.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of Vinyl Ester GF30-CSM takes about 80 MJ of energy and emits 5 kg of CO₂ — less than 85% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)80 MJ/kg34,394 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)5 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water200 L/kg24 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content0%

Manufacturability6

Vinyl Ester GF30-CSM's machinability is fair (35/100, worse than 84% of polymer grades); weldability not recommended (5/100); formability not recommended (5/100).

MachinabilityFair35/100
WeldabilityNot recommended5/100
Formability (cold)Not recommended5/100
PolishabilityGood60/100
Mold Shrinkage2%
Mold Temperature (typ.)40°C104 °F

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

Working with Vinyl Ester GF30-CSM

Is Vinyl Ester easy to machine?

Cut/drill cured laminate with carbide or PCD tooling, low feed and dust extraction — the styrene-cured matrix chips and glass is highly abrasive.

Can Vinyl Ester be welded?

Not weldable; joints are made by secondary hand lay-up (butt-strap) or by methacrylate/epoxy structural adhesive on sanded, solvent-wiped surfaces.

Can Vinyl Ester be formed, bent or molded?

Processed liquid by hand lay-up, spray-up, filament winding, pultrusion, RTM/VARTM; MEKP 1–2 phr with cobalt promoter, gel 15–30 min at 25 °C, then post-cure 2–4 h at 80–120 °C to reach full Tg and chemical resistance.

What surface finishes work on Vinyl Ester?

Finish with a resin-rich veil/C-glass surfacing layer or pigmented gel coat; wax-free layers must be sanded before recoating, and outdoor parts need a UV-stabilized topcoat or paint.

Vinyl Ester 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
bisphenol-A epoxy methacrylate oligomer novolac-epoxy methacrylate in high-temperature grades50 – 6558
styrene (reactive diluent)some grades substitute vinyl toluene / low-VOC diluents33 – 4540
inhibitor (hydroquinone type)shelf-life stabiliser0.01 – 0.050.02
cobalt octoate / DMA acceleratorpre-promoted grades0.1 – 0.50.3
MEKP initiator (added at use)phr on resin, room-temperature cure1 – 21.5
brominated bisphenol-A backbone (FR gradwith Sb2O3 synergist for V-00 – 200
glass fiber (laminate variants)E-glass or ECR-glass CSM / roving0 – 6530

Vinyl Ester GF30-CSM — frequently asked

What is Vinyl Ester GF30-CSM used for?

Vinyl Ester GF30-CSM is typically used for chemical storage tanks/piping, corrosion-resistant composite linings and marine composites. In short: corrosion-grade FRP matrix; tougher than polyester; cheaper than epoxy.

What is the tensile strength of Vinyl Ester GF30-CSM?

Vinyl Ester GF30-CSM has a typical tensile strength of 120 MPa (17.4 ksi) — stronger than 93% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 10 listed tempers.

Is Vinyl Ester GF30-CSM easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, worse than 84% of polymer grades). Cut/drill cured laminate with carbide or PCD tooling, low feed and dust extraction — the styrene-cured matrix chips and glass is highly abrasive.

Can Vinyl Ester GF30-CSM be welded?

Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (5/100). Not weldable; joints are made by secondary hand lay-up (butt-strap) or by methacrylate/epoxy structural adhesive on sanded, solvent-wiped surfaces.

What surface finishes work on Vinyl Ester GF30-CSM?

Finish with a resin-rich veil/C-glass surfacing layer or pigmented gel coat; wax-free layers must be sanded before recoating, and outdoor parts need a UV-stabilized topcoat or paint.

Can Vinyl Ester GF30-CSM be formed, bent or molded?

Processed liquid by hand lay-up, spray-up, filament winding, pultrusion, RTM/VARTM; MEKP 1–2 phr with cobalt promoter, gel 15–30 min at 25 °C, then post-cure 2–4 h at 80–120 °C to reach full Tg and chemical resistance.

What is the maximum service temperature of Vinyl Ester GF30-CSM?

Vinyl Ester GF30-CSM is rated for continuous use to about 95°C (203 °F), and briefly to 120°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

Sources

  1. Derakane and Derakane Momentum epoxy vinyl ester resins — product and chemical resistance guides — Ashland / INEOS Composites (2022)
  2. ASTM D638 / D790 / D648 / D256 / D570 test methods for plastics — ASTM International (2022)
  3. ASTM C582 — Contact-Molded Reinforced Thermosetting Plastic Laminates for Corrosion-Resistant Equipment — ASTM International (2021)
  4. Engineered Materials Handbook, Vol. 2: Engineering Plastics / Vol. 1 Composites — ASM International (1988)

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.