AES FR (Flame-retardant grade)
Flame-retardant grade
For outdoor electrical enclosures, PV junction/connector housings and appliance parts needing V-0 plus weathering.
Values for the FR condition
Other AES grades and fills
AES is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at AES.
Compare all 4 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
High-impact grade | Pick when low-temperature toughness or thick-wall impact (bumper covers, mirror housings, guards) governs. | 31 | 33 | 50 | 96 HRR |
FRThis page Flame-retardant grade | For outdoor electrical enclosures, PV junction/connector housings and appliance parts needing V-0 plus weathering. | 36 | 38 | 18 | 105 HRR |
High-flow / thin-wall injection grade | For long flow paths, thin walls and high-gloss surfaces where cycle time matters more than maximum toughness. | 42 | 44 | 22 | 108 HRR |
Heat-resistant grade | Choose for parts seeing sustained 90–100 °C, e.g. under-hood-adjacent trim or dark exterior surfaces in hot climates. | 43 | 45 | 20 | 110 HRR |
What is AES FR?
AES FR is AES in the FR grade — for outdoor electrical enclosures, PV junction/connector housings and appliance parts needing V-0 plus weathering. AES FR has a yield strength of 36 MPa (5.22 ksi) and a tensile strength of 38 MPa (5.51 ksi) — weaker than 65% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 2.2 GPa (0.319 Msi). AES FR has a density of 1.17 g/cm³ (0.0423 lb/in³), lighter than 54% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 103°C (217 °F).
Advantages
- Good UV / weathering resistance — 80/100, better than 86% of polymer grades
- Low, predictable mold shrinkage — 0.45%, better than 77% of polymer grades
AES FR properties
Typical room-temperature values for AES FR; 26 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are AES reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical4
AES FR has a density of 1.17 g/cm³ (0.0423 lb/in³), lighter than 54% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 103°C (217 °F).
Mechanical11
AES FR has a yield strength of 36 MPa (5.22 ksi) and a tensile strength of 38 MPa (5.51 ksi) — weaker than 65% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 2.2 GPa (0.319 Msi).
Thermal11
AES FR is rated for continuous service to 78°C (172 °F). It conducts heat at 0.19 W/m·K (0.11 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 68% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 90 µm/m·K (50 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
AES FR is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 20 kV/mm (508 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹³ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental2
UV resistance is very good.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of AES FR takes about 95 MJ of energy and emits 4.1 kg of CO₂ — less than 70% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability8
AES FR's machinability is good (62/100, better than 60% of polymer grades); weldability good (65/100); formability good (62/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with AES FR
Is AES easy to machine?
Machines and drills easily like ABS with sharp tools, positive rake and air cooling; avoid heat build-up and solvent-based coolants to prevent smearing and stress cracking.
Can AES be welded?
Ultrasonic, hot-plate, spin and vibration welding all work well; adhesive bonding with cyanoacrylate/epoxy or urethane is preferred over solvent cement since the EPDM phase can be attacked.
Can AES be formed, bent or molded?
Dry 2–4 h at 80 °C, mold at 200–245 °C melt / 40–80 °C tool, shrinkage 0.4–0.7 %; extrusion grades cap-extrude well over ABS or PVC substrates and thermoform readily.
What surface finishes work on AES?
Takes 1K/2K polyurethane and acrylic paints well and can be chrome-plated with plating grades; unpainted molded-in-color parts are the main selling point, so avoid over-polishing which smears the rubber phase.
AES 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.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| acrylonitrilein SAN matrix; raises rigidity, heat and chemical resistance | 15 – 27 | 22 |
| EPDM rubbersaturated rubber phase, grafted/blended; source of impact and UV stability | 10 – 30 | 18 |
| stabilizers/pigments/lubricantsantioxidant, HALS/UV absorber, processing aids | 0.5 – 3 | 1.5 |
| styrenebalance of matrix | balance | — |
AES FR — frequently asked
What is AES FR used for?
AES FR is typically used for outdoor equipment housings, garden furniture, automotive exterior trim and weather-resistant enclosures. In short: weatherable ABS replacement; EPDM-modified, UV stable; sits between ABS and ASA.
What is the yield strength of AES FR?
AES FR has a typical yield strength of 36 MPa (5.22 ksi) and a tensile strength of 38 MPa (5.51 ksi) — weaker than 65% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is AES FR easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (62/100, better than 60% of polymer grades). Machines and drills easily like ABS with sharp tools, positive rake and air cooling; avoid heat build-up and solvent-based coolants to prevent smearing and stress cracking.
Can AES FR be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (65/100). Ultrasonic, hot-plate, spin and vibration welding all work well; adhesive bonding with cyanoacrylate/epoxy or urethane is preferred over solvent cement since the EPDM phase can be attacked.
What surface finishes work on AES FR?
Takes 1K/2K polyurethane and acrylic paints well and can be chrome-plated with plating grades; unpainted molded-in-color parts are the main selling point, so avoid over-polishing which smears the rubber phase.
Can AES FR be formed, bent or molded?
Dry 2–4 h at 80 °C, mold at 200–245 °C melt / 40–80 °C tool, shrinkage 0.4–0.7 %; extrusion grades cap-extrude well over ABS or PVC substrates and thermoform readily.
What is the maximum service temperature of AES FR?
AES FR is rated for continuous use to about 78°C (172 °F), and briefly to 100°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- AES weatherable styrenic resin datasheets (grade families for injection and extrusion) — Japanese/Chinese styrenics producers (e.g. UMG ABS / JSR-type AES, Qimei-class weatherable styrenics) (2023)
- CAMPUS / Prospector styrenic terpolymer property records (ISO 527/178/75/306 tests) — CWFG / UL Prospector (2024)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 2 — Engineering Plastics (styrenic terpolymers) — ASM International (1988)
- ISO 527 / ISO 178 / ISO 75 / ISO 306 / ASTM D256 / ASTM D785 test methods; UL 94 flammability — ISO / ASTM / UL (2021)
- AES / ABS — 1688 / (SMM-type quotes) (2026)
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.