LCP GF-MIN
Reinforced grade
ASTM D5138 · also Vectra, Xydar
GF-MIN = gF/mineral hybrid filled
Best all-round choice for dimensionally critical molded parts: near-isotropic shrinkage with most of the GF stiffness and heat resistance.
Values for the GF-MIN condition
Other LCP grades and fills
LCP is listed in 10 conditions; see the grade overview at LCP.
Compare all 10 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mineral filled (~40% talc/mica/wollastonite) | Pick for lower/more isotropic shrinkage and warpage, better surface finish and laser markability where high strength is not required. | 110 | 1.8 | ||
Wear / lubricated grade | Use for small high-temperature bushings, thrust washers and sliding parts needing low friction with dimensional stability. | 110 | 1.8 | 85 Shore D | |
GF-MINThis page GF/mineral hybrid filled | Best all-round choice for dimensionally critical molded parts: near-isotropic shrinkage with most of the GF stiffness and heat resistance. | 130 | 1.7 | ||
High-heat LCP | Choose when parts must survive lead-free reflow with large metal inserts or continuous service above 240 °C; needs hotter barrel and mold. | 140 | 1.5 | ||
ESD / static-dissipative grade | Pick for chip trays, test sockets and handling tooling that must dissipate charge at high temperature. | 150 | 1.5 | 88 Shore D | |
15% glass fiber reinforced | Compromise grade when some stiffness and HDT gain is wanted but thin-wall flow and weld-line integrity must stay close to unfilled. | 165 | 2.5 | ||
neat LCP resin | Pick when maximum flow in ultra-thin walls, best dielectric loss and highest tear/impact in the flow direction matter more than stiffness or isotropy. | 180 | 3.4 | ||
GF30Default 30% glass fiber reinforced | Default workhorse: best balance of stiffness, 230 °C HDT, reflow survival and cost for connectors, sockets and thin-wall electronic parts. | 190 | 2 | ||
30% carbon fiber reinforced | Use for highest specific stiffness, lower density than glass, static-dissipative/conductive behaviour and improved heat conduction. | 195 | 1.2 | ||
40% glass fiber reinforced | Choose for maximum stiffness, highest HDT and lowest flow-direction CTE where warpage/anisotropy can be tolerated. | 200 | 1.6 |
What is LCP GF-MIN?
LCP GF-MIN is LCP in the GF-MIN grade — best all-round choice for dimensionally critical molded parts: near-isotropic shrinkage with most of the GF stiffness and heat resistance. LCP GF-MIN has a tensile strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi), stronger than 94% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 1.7% and the elastic modulus is 15 GPa (2.18 Msi). LCP GF-MIN has a density of 1.79 g/cm³ (0.0647 lb/in³), heavier than 95% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 110°C (230 °F). GF30 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; GF-MIN is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Stiff — 15 GPa (2.18 Msi), better than 99% of polymer grades
- Low, predictable mold shrinkage — 0.15%, better than 97% of polymer grades
- Conducts heat well — 0.4 W/m·K (0.231 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 93% 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
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 1.7%, worse than 97% of polymer grades
- Heavy — 1.79 g/cm³ (0.0647 lb/in³), worse than 95% of polymer grades
- High embodied carbon — 9 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 88% of polymer grades
- Limited formability — 10/100, worse than 87% of polymer grades
- Hard to polish — 30/100, worse than 82% of polymer grades
LCP GF-MIN properties
Typical room-temperature values for LCP GF-MIN; 10 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are LCP reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical5
LCP GF-MIN has a density of 1.79 g/cm³ (0.0647 lb/in³), heavier than 95% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 110°C (230 °F).
Mechanical11
LCP GF-MIN has a tensile strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi), stronger than 94% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 1.7% and the elastic modulus is 15 GPa (2.18 Msi).
Thermal10
LCP GF-MIN is rated for continuous service to 220°C (428 °F). It conducts heat at 0.4 W/m·K (0.231 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 93% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 16 µm/m·K (8.89 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
LCP GF-MIN is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 35 kV/mm (889 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 good.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of LCP GF-MIN takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 9 kg of CO₂ — more than 89% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability7
LCP GF-MIN's machinability is fair (50/100, worse than 73% of polymer grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability not recommended (10/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with LCP GF-MIN
Is LCP easy to machine?
Machinable with sharp carbide or PCD tools at high speed and light feed, but the skin-core fiber structure chips and delaminates at edges — design to net shape by molding wherever possible.
Can LCP be welded?
Ultrasonic and vibration welding are unreliable (weak weld/knit lines); use laser welding, heat staking, adhesives with plasma pretreatment, or mechanical joints.
Can LCP be formed, bent or molded?
Dry to <0.02% moisture (140 °C, 3–4 h), melt 300–350 °C, mold 60–130 °C, very fast injection with generously vented tools; gate to control fiber/molecule orientation because weld lines and transverse shrinkage govern part strength.
What surface finishes work on LCP?
Molded surfaces are matte and paint/print adhesion is poor without plasma or primer; laser marking works well on mineral- and black-pigmented grades; can be selectively metallized (LDS/electroless) on grades formulated for plating.
LCP 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 |
|---|---|---|
| glass fiberchopped E-glass, sized for polyester matrix (default GF30 variant) | 28 – 32 | 30 |
| pigments / processing aidscarbon black or TiO2, release agent | 0 – 2 | 0.5 |
| aromatic copolyester (LCP: p-hydroxybenzwholly aromatic thermotropic polyester backbone | balance |
LCP GF-MIN — frequently asked
What is LCP GF-MIN used for?
LCP GF-MIN is typically used for micro connectors, FPC/FFC connector housings, SMT components exposed to reflow, 5G antenna carriers and RF supports, test and burn-in sockets and precision thin-wall electronic parts. In short: liquid-crystal high heat.
What is the tensile strength of LCP GF-MIN?
LCP GF-MIN has a typical tensile strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) — stronger than 94% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 10 listed tempers.
Is LCP GF-MIN easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (50/100, worse than 73% of polymer grades). Machinable with sharp carbide or PCD tools at high speed and light feed, but the skin-core fiber structure chips and delaminates at edges — design to net shape by molding wherever possible.
Can LCP GF-MIN be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Ultrasonic and vibration welding are unreliable (weak weld/knit lines); use laser welding, heat staking, adhesives with plasma pretreatment, or mechanical joints.
What surface finishes work on LCP GF-MIN?
Molded surfaces are matte and paint/print adhesion is poor without plasma or primer; laser marking works well on mineral- and black-pigmented grades; can be selectively metallized (LDS/electroless) on grades formulated for plating.
Can LCP GF-MIN be formed, bent or molded?
Dry to <0.02% moisture (140 °C, 3–4 h), melt 300–350 °C, mold 60–130 °C, very fast injection with generously vented tools; gate to control fiber/molecule orientation because weld lines and transverse shrinkage govern part strength.
What is the maximum service temperature of LCP GF-MIN?
LCP GF-MIN 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in LCP GF-MIN?
Yes — LCP GF-MIN is available for injection molding with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- Vectra LCP product and processing guide — Celanese (2023)
- Zenite LCP resin datasheets — Celanese (formerly DuPont) (2022)
- Sumikasuper LCP grade list — Sumitomo Chemical (2023)
- Xydar LCP technical data — Syensqo (Solvay) (2023)
- CAMPUS plastics ISO datasheets — LCP GF30/GF40 — CWFG / CAMPUS (2024)
- Engineering Plastics Handbook — liquid crystal polymers chapter — McGraw-Hill (2006)
- ISO 527 / ISO 178 / ISO 75 test methods; UL 94 flammability — ISO / UL (2020)
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.