LCP · grade
LCP Unfilled
Properties of the Unfilled condition, compared with the other LCP grades.
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.
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 97% 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 95% 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
- Limited ductility — 3.4%, worse than 81% of polymer grades
- Hard to polish — 30/100, 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 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every LCP grade. Each bar shows where the value sits among the polymer grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
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 97% 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 71% 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. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other LCP grades and fills
LCP is also supplied in 10 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the LCP overview.
- GF30DefaultDefault workhorse: best balance of stiffness, 230 °C HDT, reflow survival and cost for connectors, sockets and thin-wall electronic parts.190 MPa tensile
- GF40Choose for maximum stiffness, highest HDT and lowest flow-direction CTE where warpage/anisotropy can be tolerated.200 MPa tensile
- CF30Use for highest specific stiffness, lower density than glass, static-dissipative/conductive behaviour and improved heat conduction.195 MPa tensile
- UnfilledPick 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 MPa tensile
- GF15Compromise grade when some stiffness and HDT gain is wanted but thin-wall flow and weld-line integrity must stay close to unfilled.165 MPa tensile
- ESDPick for chip trays, test sockets and handling tooling that must dissipate charge at high temperature.150 MPa tensile
- HTChoose when parts must survive lead-free reflow with large metal inserts or continuous service above 240 °C; needs hotter barrel and mold.140 MPa tensile
- GF-MINBest all-round choice for dimensionally critical molded parts: near-isotropic shrinkage with most of the GF stiffness and heat resistance.130 MPa tensile
- Mineral FilledPick for lower/more isotropic shrinkage and warpage, better surface finish and laser markability where high strength is not required.110 MPa tensile
- WEARUse for small high-temperature bushings, thrust washers and sliding parts needing low friction with dimensional stability.110 MPa tensile
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 97% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 11 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.