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XXXPC FR (Flame-retardant XXXPC)

Flame-retardant grade

ASTM D709 Grade XXXPC, D709 Type XXXPC

Choose when UL 94 V-0 / flame-retardant paper phenolic (FR-2 class) is required in switchgear or appliance insulation while keeping cold punchability.

Standard cost $$
Get a quoteXXXPC overview

Values for the FR condition

What is XXXPC FR?

XXXPC FR is XXXPC in the FR grade — choose when UL 94 V-0 / flame-retardant paper phenolic (FR-2 class) is required in switchgear or appliance insulation while keeping cold punchability. XXXPC FR has a tensile strength of 100 MPa (14.5 ksi), weaker than 67% of composite grades. Elongation at break is 1.5% and the elastic modulus is 8 GPa (1.16 Msi). XXXPC FR has a density of 1.35 g/cm³ (0.0488 lb/in³), lighter than 75% of composite grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 150°C (302 °F).

Advantages

  • Low embodied carbon — 4 kg CO₂/kg, better than 91% of composite grades
  • Easy to machine — 68/100, better than 77% of composite grades
  • Lightweight — 1.35 g/cm³ (0.0488 lb/in³), better than 75% of composite grades

Limitations

  • Limited service temperature — 110°C (230 °F), worse than 87% of composite grades
  • Needs corrosion protection — 55/100, worse than 87% of composite grades
  • Poor heat conductor — 0.25 W/m·K (0.144 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 76% of composite grades

XXXPC FR properties

Typical room-temperature values for XXXPC FR; 7 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are XXXPC reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among composite grades.

Physical4

XXXPC FR has a density of 1.35 g/cm³ (0.0488 lb/in³), lighter than 75% of composite grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 150°C (302 °F).

Density1.35 g/cm³0.05 lb/in³
Glass Transition (Tg)150°C302 °F
Water Absorption (24 h)0.9%
Water Absorption (Saturation)3%

Mechanical11

XXXPC FR has a tensile strength of 100 MPa (14.5 ksi), weaker than 67% of composite grades. Elongation at break is 1.5% and the elastic modulus is 8 GPa (1.16 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus8 GPa1.2 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.32
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)100 MPa14.5 ksi
Elongation at Break1.5%
Compressive Strength240 MPa34.8 ksi
Compressive Modulus6 GPa0.87 Msi
Flexural Strength115 MPa16.7 ksi
Flexural Modulus9 GPa1.3 Msi
Shear Strength90 MPa13.1 ksi
Izod Impact, Notched27 J/m0.51 ft·lbf/in
Hardness, Rockwell M105 HRM

Thermal8

XXXPC FR is rated for continuous service to 110°C (230 °F). It conducts heat at 0.25 W/m·K (0.144 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 76% of composite grades. Thermal expansion is 25 µm/m·K (13.9 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity0.25 W/m·K0.14 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity1,300 J/kg·K0.31 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)25 µm/m·K13.9 µin/in·°F
Max Service Temperature (continuous)110°C230 °F
Min Service Temperature-50°C-58 °F
Flammability (UL 94)V-0
Limiting Oxygen Index34%
Max Service Temperature (short-term)150°C302 °F

Electrical7

XXXPC FR is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 20 kV/mm (508 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹⁰ Ω·m.

Electrical Resistivity1×10¹⁰ Ω·m3.94×10¹⁷ µΩ·in
Dielectric Strength20 kV/mm508 V/mil
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)4.3
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)0.04
Volume Resistivity1×10¹² Ω·cm
Surface Resistivity1×10¹¹ Ω
Comparative Tracking Index (CTI)150 V

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 87% of composite grades. UV resistance is poor.

Corrosion ResistanceGood55/100
UV / Weathering ResistancePoor30/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryGood resistance to transformer/insulating oils, aliphatic hydrocarbons and weak acids; attacked by strong alkalis, hot steam and oxidizing acids; paper substrate wicks moisture at cut edges.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of XXXPC FR takes about 75 MJ of energy and emits 4 kg of CO₂ — less than 91% of composite grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)75 MJ/kg32,244 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)4 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water200 L/kg24 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content0%

Manufacturability2

XXXPC FR's machinability is good (68/100, better than 77% of composite grades).

MachinabilityGood68/100
PolishabilityPoor30/100

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with XXXPC FR

Is XXXPC easy to machine?

Cuts and drills easily with sharp carbide tooling and high speed/low feed, but paper dust is abrasive and irritating — use dust extraction and back the workpiece to avoid edge delamination.

Can XXXPC be welded?

Thermoset — not weldable; join by riveting, bolting or epoxy/phenolic adhesive bonding.

Can XXXPC be formed, bent or molded?

Primary process is cold blanking/punching at room temperature in gauges up to about 3.2 mm; no post-cure reforming is possible, and thicker sheet may need slight warming for clean punched edges.

What surface finishes work on XXXPC?

Sand or deburr edges and seal with insulating varnish or epoxy to limit moisture wicking; can be painted but not plated or anodized.

XXXPC chemical composition (wt %)

Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
cellulose kraft paper (reinforcement)electrical-grade unbleached kraft web45 – 6052
plasticizer / punching aiddistinguishes cold-punch XXXPC from hot-punch XXXP0 – 52
brominated flame retardantFR variant only0 – 80
phenol-formaldehyde (resole/novolac) resplasticized resin system to allow room-temperature punching≥ 38 (balance)

XXXPC FR — frequently asked

What is XXXPC FR used for?

XXXPC FR is typically used for oil-immersed transformer insulation, switchgear components in oil and punched insulating parts. In short: oil-resistant punching grade; highest strength of paper series; transformer-oil service laminate.

What is the tensile strength of XXXPC FR?

XXXPC FR has a typical tensile strength of 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) — weaker than 67% of composite grades.

Is XXXPC FR easy to machine?

Reasonably — machinability is rated good (68/100, better than 77% of composite grades). Cuts and drills easily with sharp carbide tooling and high speed/low feed, but paper dust is abrasive and irritating — use dust extraction and back the workpiece to avoid edge delamination.

Can XXXPC FR be welded?

Thermoset — not weldable; join by riveting, bolting or epoxy/phenolic adhesive bonding.

What surface finishes work on XXXPC FR?

Sand or deburr edges and seal with insulating varnish or epoxy to limit moisture wicking; can be painted but not plated or anodized.

Can XXXPC FR be formed, bent or molded?

Primary process is cold blanking/punching at room temperature in gauges up to about 3.2 mm; no post-cure reforming is possible, and thicker sheet may need slight warming for clean punched edges.

What is the maximum service temperature of XXXPC FR?

XXXPC FR is rated for continuous use to about 110°C (230 °F), and briefly to 150°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

Sources

  1. ASTM D709 — Standard Specification for Laminated Thermosetting Materials — ASTM International (2017)
  2. NEMA LI 1 — Industrial Laminated Thermosetting Products — NEMA (1998)
  3. IEC 60893-3-4 — Industrial rigid laminated sheets, phenolic cellulose paper (PF CP) types — IEC (2013)
  4. Paper-based phenolic laminate grade data (XXX/XXXP/XXXPC) — Norplex-Micarta / Franklin Fibre / Spaulding Composites (2022)
  5. Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 2 — Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)

Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.