LCP-MF
ASTM D6779
LCP-MF is a mineral-filled liquid-crystal polymer compound class covered by ASTM D6779, offered at 20–40 % filler loadings (MF20–MF40) plus GF-MF, HT, HF, LDS, ESD and MED variants.
Reference datasheet — LCP-MF is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the MF30 condition
LCP-MF grades and fills
LCP-MF is supplied in 8 conditions, soft to hard. MF30 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 8 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
40% mineral filled, high stiffness / high dimensional stability | Pick for the flattest parts and lowest CTE where brittleness and higher density are acceptable. | 105 | 1.5 | ||
Laser direct structuring / platable mineral-filled grade | Pick for MID/antenna parts where circuit traces are laser-activated and copper-plated on the molded body. | 105 | 1.8 | 86 HRM | |
High-heat (Type I / high-Tm) mineral-filled base resin | Pick for lead-free reflow, high-temperature bake-out or continuous use above 240 °C. | 110 | 1.8 | 87 HRM | |
High-flow thin-wall grade | Pick for 0.2–0.4 mm wall FPC/board-to-board connectors with long flow lengths. | 110 | 2.2 | 84 HRM | |
ESD / conductive | Pick for IC trays, burn-in sockets and handling parts needing static dissipation at high temperature. | 110 | 1.6 | 86 HRM | |
MF30Default 30% mineral filled | Default balanced grade: low, isotropic shrinkage for flat connectors, sockets and covers. | 115 | 2 | 85 HRM | |
20% mineral filled | Pick when maximum flow into ultra-thin walls (<0.3 mm) matters more than stiffness. | 125 | 2.6 | ||
GF/MF hybrid | Pick when GF-level strength is needed but pure GF warpage/anisotropy is unacceptable. | 145 | 2 | 88 HRM |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways LCP-MF is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
MED | Medical / FDA food-contact compliant mineral-filled grade | Certification |
What is LCP-MF?
LCP-MF is a mineral-filled liquid-crystal polymer compound class covered by ASTM D6779, offered at 20–40 % filler loadings (MF20–MF40) plus GF-MF, HT, HF, LDS, ESD and MED variants. It is chosen over glass-fiber LCP for balanced flow and cross-flow shrinkage, low warpage and lower cost in thin-wall injection-moulded parts; the default grade runs 1.82 g/cm³ density, 115 MPa tensile strength and 2 % elongation. The 2 % elongation is brittle, weld lines remain weak, and the mineral filler is abrasive to tools and moulds. Glass-fiber-filled LCP is the nearest alternative when strength and stiffness govern. LCP-MF has a density of 1.82 g/cm³ (0.0658 lb/in³), heavier than 96% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 120°C (248 °F). LCP-MF has a tensile strength of 115 MPa (16.7 ksi), stronger than 92% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 11 GPa (1.6 Msi).
What is LCP-MF used for?
- low-warpage connector housings
- precision optical mounts
- thin-wall enclosures
Advantages
- Stiff — 11 GPa (1.6 Msi), better than 97% of polymer grades
- Conducts heat well — 0.45 W/m·K (0.26 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 97% of polymer grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 92/100, better than 91% of polymer grades
- High service temperature — 220°C (428 °F), better than 89% of polymer grades
- Low moisture uptake — 0.03%, better than 88% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Heavy — 1.82 g/cm³ (0.0658 lb/in³), worse than 96% of polymer grades
- Limited ductility — 2%, worse than 95% of polymer grades
- High embodied carbon — 8.5 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 85% of polymer grades
- Limited formability — 15/100, worse than 79% of polymer grades
- Difficult to machine — 45/100, worse than 78% of polymer grades
LCP-MF properties
Typical room-temperature values for LCP-MF-MF30; bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical5
LCP-MF has a density of 1.82 g/cm³ (0.0658 lb/in³), heavier than 96% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 120°C (248 °F).
Mechanical11
LCP-MF has a tensile strength of 115 MPa (16.7 ksi), stronger than 92% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 11 GPa (1.6 Msi).
Thermal10
LCP-MF is rated for continuous service to 220°C (428 °F). It conducts heat at 0.45 W/m·K (0.26 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 97% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 22 µm/m·K (12.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
LCP-MF is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 32 kV/mm (812.8 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹³ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (92/100), better than 91% of polymer grades. UV resistance is fair.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of LCP-MF takes about 175 MJ of energy and emits 8.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 86% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability8
LCP-MF's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 78% of polymer grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability poor (15/100).
Common Calculations4
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the polymer family
Yield strength against density for every polymer grade FabDigit runs. LCP-MF is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with LCP-MF
Is LCP-MF easy to machine?
Machinable but the mineral filler is abrasive and the skin-core structure splinters — use sharp carbide/diamond tooling, high speed, light feed, and avoid deep threads.
Can LCP-MF be welded?
Weld lines and joints are inherently weak due to molecular orientation; prefer snap fits, heat staking or adhesive over ultrasonic/laser welding for structural joints.
Can LCP-MF be formed, bent or molded?
Injection mold at 320–360 °C melt / 80–150 °C tool with fast fill, dried pellets (150 °C, 3–4 h), well-vented hardened tool steel and gates positioned to place weld lines in low-stress areas.
LCP-MF 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 |
|---|---|---|
| mineral filler (talc / mica / wollastoniplaty or acicular filler for shrinkage balance | 20 – 40 | 30 |
| pigment, lubricant, nucleant, stabilizercarbon black or TiO2 plus processing aids | 0 – 2 | 0.8 |
| aromatic copolyester LCP resin (HBA/HNA wholly aromatic thermotropic polyester matrix | ≥ 55 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on LCP-MF?
Molds to a good as-molded finish; paint and adhesive bonding need plasma or primer pretreatment, and dedicated LDS grades are used when selective copper plating is required.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to LCP-MF in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- D6779
How much does LCP-MF cost?
LCP-MF is a high-cost polymer ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
LCP-MF — frequently asked
What is LCP-MF used for?
LCP-MF is typically used for low-warpage connector housings, precision optical mounts and thin-wall enclosures. In short: low-warpage LCP grade; balanced flow/cross-flow shrinkage; cheaper than glass-filled LCP.
What is the tensile strength of LCP-MF?
LCP-MF has a typical tensile strength of 115 MPa (16.7 ksi) — stronger than 92% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is LCP-MF easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 78% of polymer grades). Machinable but the mineral filler is abrasive and the skin-core structure splinters — use sharp carbide/diamond tooling, high speed, light feed, and avoid deep threads.
Can LCP-MF be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Weld lines and joints are inherently weak due to molecular orientation; prefer snap fits, heat staking or adhesive over ultrasonic/laser welding for structural joints.
What surface finishes work on LCP-MF?
Molds to a good as-molded finish; paint and adhesive bonding need plasma or primer pretreatment, and dedicated LDS grades are used when selective copper plating is required.
Can LCP-MF be formed, bent or molded?
Injection mold at 320–360 °C melt / 80–150 °C tool with fast fill, dried pellets (150 °C, 3–4 h), well-vented hardened tool steel and gates positioned to place weld lines in low-stress areas.
What is the maximum service temperature of LCP-MF?
LCP-MF is rated for continuous use to about 220°C (428 °F), and briefly to 280°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does LCP-MF cost?
LCP-MF is a high-cost polymer ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- ASTM D5138 — Classification System for Liquid-Crystal Polymer (LCP) Molding and Extrusion Materials — ASTM International (2019)
- Vectra LCP mineral-filled grades (MT series) product data — Celanese (2023)
- LAPEROS LCP molding and property guide — Polyplastics (2023)
- Sumikasuper LCP grade list — Sumitomo Chemical (2023)
- CAMPUS plastics database — LCP mineral-filled datasets (ISO 527/178/75/180) — CAMPUS / CWFG (2024)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol.2: Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.