The short answer
PA66 GF30 is nylon 66 with 30% glass fiber by weight. Typical dry-as-molded values are about 1.37–1.39 g/cm³ density, 170–200 MPa tensile strength and 240–255°C / 464–491°F heat deflection at 1.8 MPa. Once the part takes on moisture, strength and stiffness drop by roughly a third, so design to conditioned data. Grades differ mostly in the additive package: heat-stabilized, lubricated, hydrolysis-resistant, impact-modified or flame-retardant.
This page covers 30% glass-filled PA66. For other glass levels and PA6 grades, see glass-filled nylon. Full typical values are on PA66 GF30 properties.
Typical spec window
| Property | Typical range | Test method |
|---|---|---|
| Glass content | 30% by weight, within the producer’s tolerance | Ash, ASTM D5630 or ISO 3451-4 |
| Density | 1.37–1.39 g/cm³ | ASTM D792 or ISO 1183 |
| Tensile strength, dry as molded | 170–200 MPa / 24,700–29,000 psi | ASTM D638 or ISO 527 |
| Flexural modulus, dry as molded | 8.5–10.0 GPa | ASTM D790 or ISO 178 |
| Notched Izod | 100–130 J/m | ASTM D256 |
| Heat deflection, 1.8 MPa | 240–255°C / 464–491°F | ASTM D648 or ISO 75 |
| Melting point | About 260–265°C / 500–509°F | DSC, ASTM D3418 or ISO 11357-3 |
| Mold shrinkage | About 0.5% along flow, 1.1% across | ASTM D955 or ISO 294-4 |
| Moisture before molding | About 0.14% or less (a 0.2% limit scaled to the polymer share) | Karl Fischer, ASTM D6869 or ISO 15512 |
Typical ranges from published data sheets for grades in this window. Your grade’s own data sheet and the lot COA are what count.
What it’s used for
- Engine covers, air intake and other under-hood parts
- Brackets and structural parts that replace metal
- Power tool and appliance housings
- Connectors and electrical components
- Chair bases and furniture parts
How to tell grades apart
- Heat-stabilized (HS). For long-term heat aging. Copper-halide packages are common, often in black grades; organic packages are used where color matters. Heat-aging life depends on the package, not the glass.
- Lubricated. An internal lubricant for easier flow and ejection. It does not make the grade a bearing material.
- Hydrolysis-resistant. For coolant, glycol and hot-water contact. Standard grades lose strength in hot glycol.
- Impact-modified. Tougher, with lower stiffness than the same glass level unmodified.
- Flame-retardant. UL recognition is grade-specific and color-specific.
- Dry as molded vs. conditioned. Data sheets list dry-as-molded values first. Conditioned values are taken after the part reaches moisture balance at about 50% relative humidity, or after accelerated conditioning (ISO 1110). Tensile strength and stiffness fall by roughly a third and impact rises. Check snap fits and loads on conditioned values.
What to put on your RFQ or PO
- Base polymer and glass. PA66 with 30% glass fiber by weight (PA66-GF30).
- Every additive in your spec. Heat-stabilized, lubricated, hydrolysis-resistant, impact-modified, flame-retardant or UV-stabilized.
- Melt flow. Seldom a useful buying spec for glass-filled nylon, because moisture skews it. Buy by grade family, glass content and properties.
- Data basis. The dry-as-molded and conditioned values your design depends on.
- Color. Natural or black, or a custom match. Natural varies in shade from lot to lot.
- Flame rating and RTI. With thickness and color; check the grade’s listing on UL Product iQ.
- Automotive parts. The OEM material specification and whether the grade is approved to it. A grade change is a process change under PPAP.
- COA values to check. Moisture on every lot, and glass content (ash) where the COA lists it, against the producer’s tolerance.
- Packaging, quantity and release size. Sealed moisture-barrier bags or lined gaylords, the net weight per gaylord, the total, the amount per release and how often.
A polymer chemist reviews every request and checks the grade against your process before we quote. Every prime lot from our suppliers ships with a COA, and orders start at one gaylord.
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- Another PA66 GF30 with the same additive package. The closest swap. Check color, shrinkage and OEM approval.
- PA66 GF33 or GF35. Close enough that many buyers treat them as one family, but stiffness and shrinkage move. Get approval first.
- PA6 GF30. Heat deflection about 200–210°C / 392–410°F instead of 240–255°C / 464–491°F, a better surface and more stiffness loss when conditioned. See nylon 6 vs. nylon 66.
- Glass-filled PPA. More heat and moisture resistance. See PPA vs. PA66.
- PBT GF30. Lower moisture uptake for electrical and tight-tolerance parts. See glass-filled nylon vs. PBT.
- Tight supply. See PA66 shortage alternatives.
Common processing problems
- Bow and twist from fiber orientation: warped parts
- Silver streaks from wet resin: splay and resin storage and moisture
- Parts that grow after molding: nylon swelling with moisture
- Weak weld lines: weld lines
- Brittle parts: brittle or cracking parts
Common questions
What is the difference between dry-as-molded and conditioned PA66 GF30?
Dry-as-molded data are measured right after molding. Conditioned data are measured after the part takes on moisture, at about 50% relative humidity. Conditioned tensile strength and stiffness run roughly a third lower and impact is higher. Design to the conditioned values.
What does heat-stabilized mean for PA66 GF30?
It means the grade carries a stabilizer package that slows strength loss during long exposure to heat, as under the hood. It does not change the short-term heat deflection much. Compare heat-aging data, not just HDT.
Does PA66 GF30 need to be dried?
Yes. Dry at about 80–82°C / 176–180°F for 2–4 hours or longer in a dehumidifying dryer. Because glass holds no water, the moisture limit for the compound is tighter than for unfilled nylon.
Is PA66 GF33 the same as GF30?
Close, but not identical. GF30, GF33 and GF35 grades behave much alike, but stiffness, strength and shrinkage move with glass level. Order the percentage on your print, or get approval before you substitute.
Tell us the PA66 GF30 grade you run now
A polymer chemist reviews every request, then matches your grade or finds a qualified equivalent and prices it.
What to send for an accurate quote
- The grade name, from any supplier, or a data sheet
- Color (natural, black or a custom match)
- Fill type and percentage, if any
- Melt flow, if you know it
- Quantity for this order and what you use in a year
- Ship-to city and state or province