PA6 · reinforced grade
PA6-CF30
Properties of the CF30 condition, compared with the other PA6 grades.
Highest specific stiffness PA6 compound; conductive/ESD-safe and low wear, but costly and highly anisotropic.
What is PA6-CF30?
PA6-CF30 is PA6 in the CF30 grade — highest specific stiffness PA6 compound; conductive/ESD-safe and low wear, but costly and highly anisotropic. PA6-CF30 has a yield strength of 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) — stronger than 83% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 1.8% and the elastic modulus is 23 GPa (3.34 Msi). PA6-CF30 has a density of 1.29 g/cm³ (0.0466 lb/in³), heavier than 68% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 58°C (136 °F). Unfilled is the default condition FabDigit quotes; CF30 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Stiff — 23 GPa (3.34 Msi), better than 100% of polymer grades
- Conducts heat well — 0.9 W/m·K (0.52 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 100% of polymer grades
- Low, predictable mold shrinkage — 0.2%, better than 95% of polymer grades
- High strength — 75 MPa (10.9 ksi), better than 83% of polymer grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 3.5 MPa·√m (3.19 ksi·√in), better than 80% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 1.8%, worse than 96% of polymer grades
- Absorbs moisture — dry before molding — 1.7%, worse than 94% of polymer grades
- High embodied carbon — 7.6 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 81% of polymer grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 70/100, worse than 80% of polymer grades
- Difficult to machine — 42/100, worse than 79% of polymer grades
PA6-CF30 properties
Typical room-temperature values for PA6-CF30 — 14 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every PA6 grade. Each bar shows where the value sits among the polymer grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical6
PA6-CF30 has a density of 1.29 g/cm³ (0.0466 lb/in³), heavier than 68% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 58°C (136 °F).
Mechanical17
PA6-CF30 has a yield strength of 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) — stronger than 83% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 1.8% and the elastic modulus is 23 GPa (3.34 Msi).
Thermal11
PA6-CF30 is rated for continuous service to 130°C (266 °F). It conducts heat at 0.9 W/m·K (0.52 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 100% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 14 µm/m·K (7.78 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
PA6-CF30 is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 25 kV/mm (635 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹² Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (70/100), worse than 80% of polymer grades. UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PA6-CF30 takes about 125 MJ of energy and emits 7.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 75% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.
Manufacturability8
PA6-CF30's machinability is fair (42/100, worse than 79% of polymer grades); weldability good (62/100); formability good (60/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other PA6 grades and fills
PA6 is also supplied in 20 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the PA6 overview.
- UnfilledDefaultDefault choice for tough, wear-resistant, low-cost parts where stiffness and dimensional stability under humidity are not critical.80 MPa tensile
- CF30Highest specific stiffness PA6 compound; conductive/ESD-safe and low wear, but costly and highly anisotropic.255 MPa tensile
- GF50Maximum-stiffness PA6 compound for highly loaded, dimensionally demanding parts; abrasive to tooling and prone to fiber-rich surfaces.230 MPa tensile
- CF20Choose for lightweight stiff parts with static-dissipative behaviour and lower warpage/wear than glass at the same modulus.210 MPa tensile
- GF40High-stiffness structural grade for load-bearing parts and metal replacement where warpage and anisotropy are acceptable.205 MPa tensile
- GF30The workhorse structural PA6 grade: best strength/stiffness per cost for gears, pump bodies, power-tool housings and metal-replacement brackets.180 MPa tensile
- GF20Balanced stiffness/toughness reinforcement for housings, brackets and covers.140 MPa tensile
- GF15Light reinforcement when moderate stiffness gain is wanted with good surface finish and low warpage.115 MPa tensile
- Mineral FilledUse where isotropic shrinkage, flat surfaces and Class-A paintability matter more than peak strength (covers, trim, mirror housings).90 MPa tensile
- MoS2 DryMolybdenum-disulfide-nucleated PA6 tested dry-as-molded: highest stiffness and strength, lower toughness than the moisture-conditioned state.82 MPa yield · 82 Shore D
- Cast (PA6 G)Use for large-diameter rods, thick plate, big gears and wear pads — higher crystallinity gives more stiffness, creep resistance and better wear than extruded PA6.82 MPa tensile
- MoS2 FilledUse for dry-running bushings, wear strips and gears: MoS2 nucleates finer crystals, giving higher stiffness, better wear and lower creep than natural PA6.80 MPa tensile
- FR V-0Required for electrical enclosures, connectors and breaker parts needing V-0 at 0.75–1.6 mm; halogen-free (red P / N-P) or brominated versions available.80 MPa tensile
- ExtrudedPick when the part is machined from stock: extruded PA6 rod/plate offers uniform crystallinity and good machining behaviour.80 MPa tensile
- PTFE/Oil LubricatedPick for lowest coefficient of friction and highest allowable sliding speed in unlubricated bearings, at the cost of some strength.65 MPa tensile
- MoS2 CondMolybdenum-disulfide-filled PA6 at 50% RH moisture equilibrium: water plasticization roughly halves stiffness and strength while sharply raising ductility and notched impact.52 MPa yield · 76 Shore D
- Impact ModifiedSelect for snap-fits, cold-impact parts and thin living hinges where notched toughness at low temperature is the driver.45 MPa yield · 105 HRR
Working with PA6-CF30
Is PA6 easy to machine?
Machines easily with sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and low feed; stress-relieve thick stock and expect elastic spring-back plus dimensional drift as the part picks up moisture (glass/CF grades are abrasive—use carbide or PCD).
Can PA6 be welded?
Readily joined by ultrasonic, hot-plate, spin, vibration and hot-gas welding; adhesive bonding needs plasma/primer pretreatment, and the resin must be dry (<0.15% moisture) before any heat joining.
Can PA6 be formed, bent or molded?
Dry pellets to <0.10% water, mold at 250–280 °C melt / 60–100 °C tool with fast injection; account for 0.8–1.8% shrinkage (0.2–0.6% in GF grades) and post-condition in water or humid air for final dimensions.
What surface finishes work on PA6?
Takes dyeing, printing and paint well after flame/plasma or primer treatment; can be electroplated with etch pretreatment, and MoS2/graphite grades polish to a low-friction bearing surface.
PA6 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 |
|---|---|---|
| heat/light stabilizer + lubricant packagtypical additive load in commercial grades | 0.1 – 1.5 | 0.5 |
| glass fiber0 in default; 15–50 wt% in GF variants | 0 – 50 | 0 |
| carbon fiberCF20/CF30 variants | 0 – 30 | 0 |
| MoS2bearing (Nylatron-type) variants | 0 – 2 | 0 |
| residual caprolactam monomer/oligomerextractables in as-polymerized resin | 0 – 1 | 0.5 |
| polycaprolactam (PA6 from ε-caprolactam)base resin; unfilled default grade | balance | — |
PA6-CF30 — frequently asked
What is PA6-CF30 used for?
PA6-CF30 is typically used for automotive gears, pulleys and caster wheels. In short: stiff; wear-resistant.
What is the yield strength of PA6-CF30?
PA6-CF30 has a typical yield strength of 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) — stronger than 83% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 21 listed tempers.
Is PA6-CF30 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (42/100, worse than 79% of polymer grades). Machines easily with sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and low feed; stress-relieve thick stock and expect elastic spring-back plus dimensional drift as the part picks up moisture (glass/CF grades are abrasive—use carbide or PCD).
Can PA6-CF30 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (62/100). Readily joined by ultrasonic, hot-plate, spin, vibration and hot-gas welding; adhesive bonding needs plasma/primer pretreatment, and the resin must be dry (<0.15% moisture) before any heat joining.
What surface finishes work on PA6-CF30?
Takes dyeing, printing and paint well after flame/plasma or primer treatment; can be electroplated with etch pretreatment, and MoS2/graphite grades polish to a low-friction bearing surface.
Can PA6-CF30 be formed, bent or molded?
Dry pellets to <0.10% water, mold at 250–280 °C melt / 60–100 °C tool with fast injection; account for 0.8–1.8% shrinkage (0.2–0.6% in GF grades) and post-condition in water or humid air for final dimensions.
What is the maximum service temperature of PA6-CF30?
PA6-CF30 is rated for continuous use to about 130°C (266 °F), and briefly to 150°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in PA6-CF30?
Yes — PA6-CF30 is available for CNC machining, sheet metal and injection molding with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ISO 1874-1/-2 Plastics — Polyamide (PA) moulding and extrusion materials — ISO (2010)
- ASTM D4066 Standard Classification System for Nylon Injection and Extrusion Materials — ASTM (2019)
- Ultramid B (PA6) product range data — BASF (2023)
- Tecamid 6 / Tecamid 6 GF30 stock shape datasheets — Ensinger (2023)
- Ertalon 6 SA, Nylatron GS/NSM datasheets — Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials (2022)
- CAMPUS plastics datasheet collection (PA6, PA6-GF15…GF50) — CWFG / CAMPUS (2024)
- ASM Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 2: Engineering Plastics — 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.