Higher Rigidity. Structural Control.
PEI GF20 is a reinforced grade offering increased stiffness and load-bearing capability for demanding applications.
Select a form factor to view real-time inventory, pricing, and custom cut-to-size options.
| Short Description | Color | Diameter | Length | Stock | Price | Add to quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ultem 2200 GF20 (PEI GF20) - 0.500" dia x 120 Natural Rod | Natural | 0.500″ | 120″ | Out of stock | Contact | |
| Ultem 2200 GF20 (PEI GF20) - 2.000" dia x 120 Black Rod | Black | 2.000″ | 120″ | Out of stock | Contact |
Material Overview
PEI GF20 is a 20% glass-fiber-reinforced polyetherimide that delivers substantially enhanced stiffness and load-bearing capability compared to either unfilled PEI or the lower-filled PEI GF10 grade. The higher fiber content raises tensile and flexural modulus significantly, making PEI GF20 the preferred choice for structural components that must resist deflection, creep, and dimensional change under significant mechanical loads at elevated operating temperatures. Ready Plastics stocks PEI GF20 sheet for aerospace, defense, and industrial electronics applications requiring elevated structural performance alongside the thermal stability of the polyetherimide family.
With 20% glass reinforcement, PEI GF20 delivers improved resistance to deformation under sustained load and a meaningfully lower coefficient of thermal expansion than unfilled grades, reducing tolerance drift in precision assemblies subject to repeated heating and cooling. The material retains the inherent UL 94 V-0 flame resistance that characterizes all polyetherimide grades — flame resistance is a property of the base polymer and requires no additives, so it is maintained throughout the entire service life of the part. High-temperature performance is fully preserved through the polyetherimide service range. PEI GF20 is well suited for load-bearing brackets, valve bodies, connector housings, and structural plates in aerospace, semiconductor equipment, and electrical enclosures operating at elevated temperatures.
Machining with GF20. PEI GF20 is regularly machined on CNC equipment but requires carbide or coated tooling to manage the increased abrasiveness of 20% glass fiber. Tool wear is higher than for GF10 or unfilled PEI grades. Rigid fixturing, sharp tooling, and conservative feed rates are recommended to maintain part tolerances and surface quality across production runs. The material is machinable to standard engineering tolerances for complex structural profiles. Consult the datasheet for specific machining parameter recommendations including cutting speeds and coolant selection. Surface quality and dimensional accuracy comparable to other glass-filled polyetherimide grades are achievable with proper process control.
Grade selection within the PEI family. PEI GF20 fills the performance gap between moderate reinforcement (GF10) and maximum reinforcement (GF30). Select GF20 when GF10 stiffness is insufficient and the full abrasiveness of a 30% fiber grade is a concern for your machining process. For cleanroom applications requiring unfilled PEI performance, see PEI CRS.
Frequently Asked Questions
PEI GF20 is polyetherimide reinforced with 20% glass fiber. It delivers increased stiffness, higher resistance to deformation under sustained load, and reduced thermal expansion compared to unfilled PEI or PEI GF10. It maintains the high-temperature performance and inherent UL 94 V-0 flame resistance of the PEI family, making it suitable for structural aerospace, defense, and industrial electronics components.
Choose GF20 when GF10 does not provide sufficient rigidity for your structural application but you still want better machinability than GF30. GF20 offers a meaningful step up in stiffness over GF10 while remaining more practical to machine than the 30% fiber grade. Choose GF30 when maximum stiffness and minimum thermal expansion are the overriding requirements.
PEI GF20 is machinable on CNC equipment using carbide tooling. The 20% glass content is abrasive, so tool life is shorter than for unfilled or GF10 grades. Rigid setups, sharp tooling, and conservative feed rates are recommended to maintain part tolerances and surface quality.
Ready Plastics stocks PEI GF20 in sheet form in standard sizes. Contact us for current availability or to discuss custom-cut options for your application.
Yes. PEI GF20 carries the inherent UL 94 V-0 flammability rating of the polyetherimide family. Flame resistance is a property of the base polymer — it is not dependent on additives and is maintained across all glass-fiber-filled PEI grades.
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