LCP Unfilled
Grade
ASTM D5138 · also Vectra, Xydar
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.
Values for the Unfilled 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/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 | ||
UnfilledThis page 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 Unfilled?
LCP Unfilled is LCP in the Unfilled grade — 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. LCP Unfilled has a tensile strength of 180 MPa (26.1 ksi), stronger than 98% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 3.4% and the elastic modulus is 10.6 GPa (1.54 Msi). LCP Unfilled has a density of 1.4 g/cm³ (0.0506 lb/in³), heavier than 79% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 110°C (230 °F). GF30 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Unfilled is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Low, predictable mold shrinkage — 0.05%, better than 100% of polymer grades
- Stiff — 10.6 GPa (1.54 Msi), better than 96% of polymer grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 92/100, better than 91% of polymer grades
- Low moisture uptake — 0.03%, better than 88% of polymer grades
- High service temperature — 200°C (392 °F), better than 87% of polymer grades
Limitations
- 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
- Limited ductility — 3.4%, worse than 80% of polymer grades
- Heavy — 1.4 g/cm³ (0.0506 lb/in³), worse than 79% of polymer grades
LCP Unfilled properties
Typical room-temperature values for LCP Unfilled; 17 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 Unfilled has a density of 1.4 g/cm³ (0.0506 lb/in³), heavier than 79% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 110°C (230 °F).
Mechanical11
LCP Unfilled has a tensile strength of 180 MPa (26.1 ksi), stronger than 98% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 3.4% and the elastic modulus is 10.6 GPa (1.54 Msi).
Thermal10
LCP Unfilled is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 0.25 W/m·K (0.144 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 72% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 8 µm/m·K (4.44 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
LCP Unfilled 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 Unfilled 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 Unfilled's machinability is good (65/100, better than 66% 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 Unfilled
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 Unfilled — frequently asked
What is LCP Unfilled used for?
LCP Unfilled 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 Unfilled?
LCP Unfilled has a typical tensile strength of 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) — stronger than 98% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 10 listed tempers.
Is LCP Unfilled easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (65/100, better than 66% 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 Unfilled 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 Unfilled?
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 Unfilled 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 Unfilled?
LCP Unfilled is rated for continuous use to about 200°C (392 °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 Unfilled?
Yes — LCP Unfilled 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.