PA66 30% Glass-Filled: Processing Guide & Mechanical Properties
Published: 2026-06-02
PA66 30GF (polyamide 66 reinforced with 30% glass fiber) is the workhorse engineering thermoplastic for automotive under-hood applications. The glass fiber reinforcement increases tensile strength by 2.3× and HDT by 180°C compared to unfilled...
PA66 30GF (polyamide 66 reinforced with 30% glass fiber) is the workhorse engineering thermoplastic for automotive under-hood applications. The glass fiber reinforcement increases tensile strength by 2.3× and HDT by 180°C compared to unfilled PA66. Critical processing parameters: drying at 80°C for 4 hours to <0.15% moisture; melt temperature 280-300°C; mold temperature 80-90°C. Moisture absorption at equilibrium (2.5-3.0%) reduces modulus by ~30% — account for this in structural FEA. Chemical resistance: attacked by strong acids, phenols, and oxidizing agents; excellent resistance to hydrocarbons, oils, and greases.
The 30% glass fiber loading represents the optimal balance between strength/stiffness (190 MPa tensile / 9.0 GPa flexural modulus) and processability (spiral flow length ~400mm at 2mm wall). Higher glass loadings (40-50%) increase strength further but significantly reduce flow length and increase tool wear. Fiber orientation during filling creates anisotropic shrinkage: 0.3% parallel to flow, 0.8-1.0% perpendicular — gate location is critical for dimensional control.
Technical Properties
| Density | 1.37 g/cm³ |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 190 MPa |
| Melting Point | 260 °C |
| Shrinkage Rate | 0.3-0.5% |
| Flexural Modulus | 9.0 GPa |
| Hdt | 250 °C at 1.82 MPa |
Engineering Tool: Shrinkage & Cost Estimator
Calculate part weight, mold cavity dimensions accounting for shrinkage, and material cost — all locally in your browser.
Equivalents & Cross-References
| Equivalent / Alternate | Action |
|---|---|
| Zytel 70G30 | |
| Durethan A30S | |
| Ultramid A3WG6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the drying requirement for PA66 30GF?
Dry at 80°C for 4 hours to achieve <0.15% moisture content. Insufficient drying causes hydrolysis during processing, reducing molecular weight and mechanical properties by 20-40%.
What is the mold shrinkage of PA66 30GF?
0.3-0.5% in flow direction; 0.8-1.0% transverse. The 2-3× anisotropy in shrinkage requires gate placement optimization to achieve flatness on large parts.
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References & Industry Standards
- ASTM International. Standard Specifications for Engineering Plastics & Thermoplastics. astm.org
- UL Prospector. Plastics & Elastomers Material Database. ulprospector.com
- MatWeb. Material Property Data for Engineering Thermoplastics. matweb.com
- ISO 1043. Plastics — Symbols and Abbreviated Terms. iso.org