550GL30H is a glass fiber-reinforced polyether ether ketone (GF-PEEK) grade developed by Jilin Zhongyan Gaosu, a leading Chinese manufacturer of high-performance engineering plastics. It belongs to the company’s "GL" series—engineered to deliver enhanced mechanical strength, thermal stability, and dimensional precision for industrial applications where standard PEEK may fall short. The "30" in 550GL30H indicates a 30% weight fraction of glass fiber reinforcement, a balance between cost, weight, and performance that makes it a popular choice for structural components.
1. Enhanced Mechanical Performance
The addition of 30% glass fibers significantly improves 550GL30H’s mechanical properties compared to unreinforced PEEK. Typical metrics include:
Tensile Strength: 171 MPa (vs. ~90-100 MPa for pure PEEK), providing greater load-bearing capacity.
Bending Strength: 255 MPa, ideal for components subjected to bending stresses.
Bending Modulus: 10,300 MPa, offering superior rigidity to resist deformation under load.
Notched Impact Strength: 96 kJ/m², maintaining toughness while enhancing stiffness.
2. Superior Thermal Stability
550GL30H retains PEEK’s inherent heat resistance, with a heat deflection temperature (HDT)of 316 °C (at 1.82 MPa)—far exceeding that of pure PEEK (~160 °C). This makes it suitable for continuous use in high-temperature environments (up to 260 °C) without significant loss of mechanical properties. Its low thermal expansion coefficient also minimizes dimensional changes with temperature fluctuations.
3. Chemical and Environmental Resistance
As a PEEK-based material, 550GL30H exhibits excellent resistance to chemicals, including most oils, fuels, acids (except concentrated nitric and sulfuric acids), and bases. It also boasts inherent flame retardancy, achieving UL94 V-0 certification without additional additives—critical for aerospace and automotive applications where fire safety is non-negotiable.
4. Dimensional Stability
The 30% glass fiber reinforcement reduces thermal expansion and moisture absorption, ensuring tight dimensional tolerances in molded parts. This is particularly valuable for precision components in industries like electronics and medical devices, where even minor warping can compromise performance.
5. Processing Characteristics
550GL30H is designed for easy processing via injection molding, extrusion, and blow molding. Its balanced flow properties enable the production of complex geometries (e.g., thin-walled parts) while minimizing defects like sink marks or warping. Post-processing (e.g., drilling, milling) is also simplified due to its machinability—though hard tools (e.g., carbide) are recommended to avoid damaging the glass fibers.
The combination of strength, heat resistance, and dimensional stability makes 550GL30H a versatile material for high-performance industries:
Automotive: Engine components (e.g., valve covers, piston rings), transmission and brake system parts, and lightweight structural components (replacing aluminum or steel to reduce weight and improve fuel efficiency).
Aerospace: Aircraft structural parts (e.g., wing ribs, fuselage components), fuel system components, and electrical connectors—all requiring high strength-to-weight ratios and thermal stability.
Medical: Surgical instruments, implantable devices (e.g., bone screws), and sterilization trays—benefiting from biocompatibility, sterilizability (via steam, gamma radiation), and resistance to harsh cleaning agents.
Electronics: Wire and cable insulation (for high-temperature applications), connectors, and semiconductor wafer carriers—where electrical insulation, heat resistance, and dimensional stability are critical.
550GL30H strikes an optimal balance between performance and cost, making it a preferred choice over more expensive materials like metals or carbon-fiber-reinforced PEEK in many applications. Its ability to withstand extreme temperatures, resist chemicals, and maintain dimensional accuracy ensures reliability in harsh environments—while its ease of processing keeps manufacturing costs manageable. Whether used in a car engine or an aircraft wing, 550GL30H delivers the durability and performance needed for mission-critical components.
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