FR-4 (Glass Epoxy Laminate) vs PA6 GF30: 0% composition overlap. Significantly different materials serving different application areas.
FR-4 (Glass Epoxy Laminate) vs PA6 GF30
Side-by-side chemical composition and mechanical property comparison.
Overview
FR-4 (Glass Epoxy Laminate)
Flame retardant woven fiberglass cloth with epoxy resin binder — the worldwide standard substrate material for printed circuit boards (PCBs). Designated NEMA grade FR-4 and IPC-4101. Good mechanical strength, dimensional stability and electrical insulation up to 130°C (Tg). Dielectric constant 4.2–4.7 at 1 MHz. Self-extinguishing (UL94 V-0). Used for single/multilayer PCBs, electrical insulation boards, structural composites in electronics, test fixtures and jigs. Available in thicknesses 0.1–50 mm.
PA6 GF30
Polyamide 6 with 30% short glass fiber reinforcement — 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 200°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) — all the same base material. Used for automotive brackets, engine covers, power tool housings, electrical connectors, and structural inserts.
| FR-4 (Glass Epoxy Laminate) | PA6 GF30 | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | — | — |
| Category | Polymers | Polymers |
| Standard | IPC-4101 | ISO 10350 |
Chemical composition (wt%) — Pro
| Element | FR-4 (Glass Epoxy Laminate) | PA6 GF30 | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Epoxy Resin Matrix | 35–45% | — | — |
| Glass Fiber (E-Glass) Cloth | 55–65% | — | — |
| Polyamide 6 (Base Polymer) | — | 68–72% | — |
| Glass Fiber Reinforcement | — | 28–32% | — |
Mechanical properties — Pro
| Property | FR-4 (Glass Epoxy Laminate) | PA6 GF30 | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flexural Strength | 380–480 | — | MPa |
| Tensile Strength | 280–340 | — | MPa |
| Compressive Strength | 350–420 | — | MPa |
| Density | |||
| Glass Transition Temp (Tg) | |||
| Dielectric Constant (1MHz) | |||
| Dielectric Strength | |||
| UL94 Flammability | |||
| Water Absorption (24h) | |||
| Tensile Strength | |||
| Elongation | |||
| Elastic Modulus | |||
| Density | |||
| hdt_1_8mpa | |||
| Melting Point |
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FR-4 (Glass Epoxy Laminate) and PA6 GF30 have significantly different compositions (0% overlap). These materials are not interchangeable and serve different application areas.
Automated assessment based on composition analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
Is FR-4 (Glass Epoxy Laminate) the same as PA6 GF30?
FR-4 (Glass Epoxy Laminate) and PA6 GF30 have a 0% composition overlap. They are generally not directly interchangeable.
Can I replace FR-4 (Glass Epoxy Laminate) with PA6 GF30?
Generally not recommended. The compositions differ significantly (0% overlap). These materials have different alloying concepts and are intended for different applications.
What is the difference between FR-4 (Glass Epoxy Laminate) and PA6 GF30?
The main differences are in the following elements: overall alloying content. FR-4 (Glass Epoxy Laminate) 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.