PA6 (Nylon 6) vs PA6 GF30: Same base polymer β GF30 doubles strength and triples stiffness
PA6 (Nylon 6) vs PA6 GF30
Side-by-side chemical composition and mechanical property comparison.
Overview
PA6 (Nylon 6)
Polyamide 6 (Nylon 6) β the most widely used engineering thermoplastic. Excellent combination of mechanical strength, toughness, wear resistance, and chemical resistance. Properties are moisture-sensitive β conditioned (50% RH) values are significantly lower than dry values. Trade names include Ultramid B (BASF), Akulon (DSM), Zytel (DuPont). Used for gears, bearings, bushings, cable ties, structural brackets, and automotive under-hood components.
PA6 GF30
Polyamide 6 with 30% short glass fiber reinforcement β the industry standard for metal replacement in structural injection-molded parts. UTS doubles vs unfilled PA6 (175 vs 80 MPa), stiffness triples (E-Mod 9.5 vs 3.0 GPa), and HDT jumps to 200Β°C+. The classic materialref.com differentiation case: Ultramid B3WG6 (BASF) = Zytel 73G30 (DuPont) = Durethan BKV 30 (LANXESS) = Akulon K224-G6 (DSM) = Grilon BG-30 (EMS) = Technyl C216 V30 (Domo) β all the same base material. Used for automotive brackets, engine covers, power tool housings, electrical connectors, and structural inserts.
| PA6 (Nylon 6) | PA6 GF30 | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | β | β |
| Category | Polymers | Polymers |
| Standard | ISO 10350 | ISO 10350 |
Chemical composition (wt%) β Pro
| Element | PA6 (Nylon 6) | PA6 GF30 | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polycaprolactam (from Ξ΅-caprolactam) | 99β99.9% | β | β |
| Polyamide 6 (Base Polymer) | β | 68β72% | β |
| Glass Fiber Reinforcement | β | 28β32% | β |
Mechanical properties β Pro
| Property | PA6 (Nylon 6) | PA6 GF30 | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 75β85 | 170β185 | MPa |
| Yield Strength | 70β80 | β | MPa |
| Elongation | 30β100 | 3β4 | % |
| Elastic Modulus | |||
| Density | |||
| Glass Transition Temp (Tg) | |||
| Melting Point | |||
| Water Absorption (24h) | |||
| Tensile Strength | |||
| Tensile Modulus | |||
| Elongation at Break | |||
| Charpy Impact (notched) | |||
| Density | |||
| Melting Point | |||
| Glass Transition Temp | |||
| Water Absorption (24h) | |||
| Water Absorption (saturation) | |||
| hdt_1_8mpa |
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PA6 GF30: UTS 175 vs 80 MPa, E-Mod 9.5 vs 3.0 GPa, HDT 200 vs 70Β°C. But GF30 has only 3% elongation (vs 50+%), is anisotropic (fiber orientation matters), and abrades mating surfaces. Choose GF30 for structural metal-replacement; unfilled PA6 for impact/wear/sliding parts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PA6 (Nylon 6) the same as PA6 GF30?
PA6 (Nylon 6) and PA6 GF30 have a 40% composition overlap. Same base polymer β GF30 doubles strength and triples stiffness
Can I replace PA6 (Nylon 6) with PA6 GF30?
Generally not recommended. The compositions differ significantly (40% overlap). These materials have different alloying concepts and are intended for different applications.
What is the difference between PA6 (Nylon 6) and PA6 GF30?
The main differences are in the following elements: overall alloying content. PA6 (Nylon 6) is a Polymers grade, while PA6 GF30 is a Polymers grade.
Related Comparisons
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Data provided for reference only. Always verify against the applicable specification for critical applications.
All data is for reference only. Equivalents indicate similarity, not identity. Always verify against the applicable specification for safety-critical applications. materialref.com accepts no liability for decisions based on this data.