HIPS FR-V0
Flame-retardant grade
ASTM D4549 · ISO 1043-1 PS-HI, 2897 · also Styron HIPS
Required for TV/monitor back covers, power-tool and appliance housings needing V-0 or V-2 listing.
Values for the FR-V0 condition
Other HIPS grades and fills
HIPS is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at HIPS.
Compare all 6 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
High / super-high impact HIPS | Pick when drop-impact or low-temperature toughness dominates and stiffness can be traded away. | 20 | 21 | 55 | 88 HRR |
Recycled / regrind-containing HIPS | Cheapest option for non-critical hidden parts and sheet cores; properties vary lot to lot. | 21 | 22 | 20 | 76 Shore D |
Antistatic / static-dissipative HIPS | For electronics trays, packaging and covers where charge build-up must be bled off. | 22 | 24 | 25 | 76 Shore D |
FR-V0This page flame-retardant HIPS (UL 94 V-0) | Required for TV/monitor back covers, power-tool and appliance housings needing V-0 or V-2 listing. | 23 | 24 | 20 | 76 Shore D |
Mineral / talc-filled HIPS | Cost-down / stiffness-up option for large flat panels where impact can be sacrificed. | 24 | 24 | 8 | 80 Shore D |
High-heat HIPS | For parts near warm electronics or hot-fill/steam-clean exposure where standard HIPS softens. | 26 | 28 | 30 | 79 Shore D |
What is HIPS FR-V0?
HIPS FR-V0 is HIPS in the FR-V0 grade — required for TV/monitor back covers, power-tool and appliance housings needing V-0 or V-2 listing. HIPS FR-V0 has a yield strength of 23 MPa (3.34 ksi) and a tensile strength of 24 MPa (3.48 ksi) — weaker than 77% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 2.2 GPa (0.319 Msi). HIPS FR-V0 has a density of 1.16 g/cm³ (0.0419 lb/in³), lighter than 55% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 100°C (212 °F).
Advantages
- Low moisture uptake — 0.07%, better than 81% of polymer grades
- Low, predictable mold shrinkage — 0.45%, better than 77% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Degrades in UV without stabilisers — 18/100, worse than 93% of polymer grades
- Limited service temperature — 60°C (140 °F), worse than 87% of polymer grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 70/100, worse than 78% of polymer grades
- Low strength — 23 MPa (3.34 ksi), worse than 77% of polymer grades
HIPS FR-V0 properties
Typical room-temperature values for HIPS FR-V0; 28 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are HIPS reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical4
HIPS FR-V0 has a density of 1.16 g/cm³ (0.0419 lb/in³), lighter than 55% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 100°C (212 °F).
Mechanical14
HIPS FR-V0 has a yield strength of 23 MPa (3.34 ksi) and a tensile strength of 24 MPa (3.48 ksi) — weaker than 77% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 2.2 GPa (0.319 Msi).
Thermal11
HIPS FR-V0 is rated for continuous service to 60°C (140 °F). It conducts heat at 0.18 W/m·K (0.104 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 73% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 80 µm/m·K (44.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
HIPS FR-V0 is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 22 kV/mm (558.8 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (70/100), worse than 78% of polymer grades. UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of HIPS FR-V0 takes about 92 MJ of energy and emits 3.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 74% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 10%.
Manufacturability8
HIPS FR-V0's machinability is good (62/100, better than 60% of polymer grades); weldability good (55/100); formability fair (45/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with HIPS FR-V0
Is HIPS easy to machine?
Machines and dies easily with sharp, positive-rake tools and high speed/low feed; avoid heat build-up (smearing) and avoid cutting fluids containing solvents that stress-crack it.
Can HIPS be welded?
Excellent ultrasonic, hot-plate, spin and solvent (MEK/toluene-based) welding; also readily bonded with cyanoacrylate and styrene cements.
Can HIPS be formed, bent or molded?
Very easy injection molding at 190–250 °C melt with 20–60 °C molds; predrying 2–3 h at 70–80 °C recommended; sheet thermoforms cleanly at 140–180 °C with low forces.
What surface finishes work on HIPS?
Takes hot stamping, pad/screen printing, vacuum metallizing and paint well (use styrene-compatible primers); poor UV durability means outdoor parts must be painted or capped.
HIPS 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 |
|---|---|---|
| polybutadiene rubbergrafted/occluded salami-type rubber particles 0.5–5 µm | 4 – 12 | 7 |
| mineral oil (internal lubricant/plastici | 0.5 – 3.5 | 2 |
| antioxidant / stabilizer package | 0.05 – 0.5 | 0.2 |
| residual styrene monomerfood-grade limits lower | 0 – 0.1 | 0.03 |
| polystyrene (styrene monomer units)continuous glassy matrix | ≥ 88 (balance) | — |
HIPS FR-V0 — frequently asked
What is HIPS FR-V0 used for?
HIPS FR-V0 is typically used for refrigerator liners, TV/appliance housings, toys, signage and displays and thermoformed packaging trays. In short: impact-toughened polystyrene; easiest thermoforming styrenic; low-cost opaque housings.
What is the yield strength of HIPS FR-V0?
HIPS FR-V0 has a typical yield strength of 23 MPa (3.34 ksi) and a tensile strength of 24 MPa (3.48 ksi) — weaker than 77% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is HIPS FR-V0 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (62/100, better than 60% of polymer grades). Machines and dies easily with sharp, positive-rake tools and high speed/low feed; avoid heat build-up (smearing) and avoid cutting fluids containing solvents that stress-crack it.
Can HIPS FR-V0 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (55/100). Excellent ultrasonic, hot-plate, spin and solvent (MEK/toluene-based) welding; also readily bonded with cyanoacrylate and styrene cements.
What surface finishes work on HIPS FR-V0?
Takes hot stamping, pad/screen printing, vacuum metallizing and paint well (use styrene-compatible primers); poor UV durability means outdoor parts must be painted or capped.
Can HIPS FR-V0 be formed, bent or molded?
Very easy injection molding at 190–250 °C melt with 20–60 °C molds; predrying 2–3 h at 70–80 °C recommended; sheet thermoforms cleanly at 140–180 °C with low forces.
What is the maximum service temperature of HIPS FR-V0?
HIPS FR-V0 is rated for continuous use to about 60°C (140 °F), and briefly to 85°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- ASTM D4549 — Standard Classification System for Polystyrene and Rubber-Modified Polystyrene Molding and Extrusion Materials — ASTM International (2020)
- ISO 2897-1/2 — Plastics — Impact-resistant polystyrene (PS-I) moulding and extrusion materials — ISO (2021)
- GB/T 4454 — HIPS — SAC (2018)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 2: Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
- HIPS resin datasheets (Styron/Trinseo, Chi Mei PH series, INEOS Styrolution Styrolux/PS-I) — various producers (2023)
- CAMPUS plastics database — PS-I entries (ISO 527 / ISO 75 / ISO 306 data) — CWFG (2024)
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.