MF Moulding Compound D704-T7
Reinforced grade
ASTM D704
D704-T7 = type 7
Cost/appearance compromise between Type 1 and Type 6 for large opaque housings and closures.
Values for the D704-T7 condition
Other MF Moulding Compound grades and fills
MF Moulding Compound is listed in 11 conditions; see the grade overview at MF Moulding Compound.
Compare all 11 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Type 5 | No fibrous reinforcement — used for arc/tracking-resistant electrical parts and where minimum moisture pick-up and low creep are wanted. | — | 40 | 0.5 | 122 HRM |
Type 6 | Lowest-cost filled grade for non-critical opaque mouldings where surface gloss and moisture resistance are less important. | — | 50 | 0.6 | 115 HRM |
D704-T7This page Type 7 | Cost/appearance compromise between Type 1 and Type 6 for large opaque housings and closures. | — | 55 | 0.6 | 118 HRM |
Type 8 | Entry-level glass grade for stiffer, more heat- and creep-resistant electrical and mechanical parts. | — | 55 | 0.5 | 120 HRM |
Type 2 | Pick when parts see continuous 120–150 °C, e.g. lamp holders, heater and appliance hardware. | — | 58 | 0.6 | 120 HRM |
Type 3 | Choose where somewhat higher toughness than cellulose grades is needed with an opaque, matte-capable finish. | — | 58 | 0.9 | 115 HRM |
Type 12 | Fabric-filled grade for maximum toughness in thick, impact-loaded parts where surface finish is secondary. | — | 60 | 1 | 112 HRM |
D704-T1Default Type 1 | Standard high-gloss, colourable grade for tableware, closures, knobs and general electrical mouldings. | — | 62 | 0.7 | 120 HRM |
Type 9 | Higher glass loading for load-bearing electrical hardware needing better strength and heat deflection than Type 8. | — | 70 | 0.5 | 120 HRM |
Type 10 | Longer/higher glass content for shock-loaded arc chutes, terminal blocks and switch bases. | — | 80 | 0.6 | 118 HRM |
Type 11 | Top of the glass series (long/high glass) for the most demanding structural and high-heat electrical mouldings. | — | 95 | 0.7 | 118 HRM |
What is MF Moulding Compound D704-T7?
MF Moulding Compound D704-T7 is MF Moulding Compound in the D704-T7 grade — cost/appearance compromise between Type 1 and Type 6 for large opaque housings and closures. MF Moulding Compound D704-T7 has a tensile strength of 55 MPa (7.98 ksi), stronger than 61% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 0.6% and the elastic modulus is 8.2 GPa (1.19 Msi). MF Moulding Compound D704-T7 has a density of 1.5 g/cm³ (0.0542 lb/in³), heavier than 88% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 220°C (428 °F). D704-T1 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; D704-T7 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Stiff — 8.2 GPa (1.19 Msi), better than 91% of polymer grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 80/100, better than 89% of polymer grades
- Conducts heat well — 0.3 W/m·K (0.173 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 83% of polymer grades
- Good UV / weathering resistance — 70/100, better than 83% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 0.6%, worse than 99% of polymer grades
- Difficult to weld — 0/100, worse than 98% of polymer grades
- Limited formability — 5/100, worse than 95% of polymer grades
- Heavy — 1.5 g/cm³ (0.0542 lb/in³), worse than 88% of polymer grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 62/100, worse than 87% of polymer grades
MF Moulding Compound D704-T7 properties
Typical room-temperature values for MF Moulding Compound D704-T7; 25 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are MF Moulding Compound reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical4
MF Moulding Compound D704-T7 has a density of 1.5 g/cm³ (0.0542 lb/in³), heavier than 88% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 220°C (428 °F).
Mechanical11
MF Moulding Compound D704-T7 has a tensile strength of 55 MPa (7.98 ksi), stronger than 61% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 0.6% and the elastic modulus is 8.2 GPa (1.19 Msi).
Thermal10
MF Moulding Compound D704-T7 is rated for continuous service to 125°C (257 °F). It conducts heat at 0.3 W/m·K (0.173 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 83% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 40 µm/m·K (22.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
MF Moulding Compound D704-T7 is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 12 kV/mm (304.8 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹¹ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (62/100), worse than 87% of polymer grades. UV resistance is very good.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of MF Moulding Compound D704-T7 takes about 85 MJ of energy and emits 4.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 79% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability7
MF Moulding Compound D704-T7's machinability is fair (48/100, worse than 75% of polymer grades); weldability not recommended (0/100); formability not recommended (5/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with MF Moulding Compound D704-T7
Is MF Moulding Compound easy to machine?
Drill, trim and tap with sharp carbide or diamond tooling at high speed and low feed; the cured resin and mineral/glass fillers are abrasive and the material chips at unsupported edges.
Can MF Moulding Compound be welded?
Not weldable or re-meltable — thermoset; join by mechanical fasteners, moulded-in inserts or adhesives (epoxy, cyanoacrylate) after abrading the glossy skin.
Can MF Moulding Compound be formed, bent or molded?
Compression, transfer or thermoset injection at 145–175 °C mould temperature with 20–40 s/mm cure; pre-heat or preform the powder, vent/breathe the tool to release condensation water, and allow 0.5–0.9 % shrinkage (0.1–0.4 % for glass grades).
What surface finishes work on MF Moulding Compound?
Comes out of a polished tool with a high-gloss, colour-fast surface needing no paint; deflash by tumbling or blasting, and avoid plating — decorate instead with melamine overlay foils or in-mould paper.
MF Moulding Compound 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 |
|---|---|---|
| alpha-cellulose fillerType 1/2 grades; replaced by wood flour, cotton flock, fabric, mineral or glass fibre in other D704 types | 25 – 40 | 35 |
| glass fiber20–40 % in Types 8–11 only | 0 – 40 | 0 |
| pigments / TiO2 | 0.5 – 5 | 2 |
| hardener (latent acid catalyst) | 0.2 – 1.5 | 0.6 |
| mould release (metal stearate / wax) | 0.2 – 1 | 0.5 |
| melamine-formaldehyde resin (melamine + matrix; fully cross-linked on cure | ≥ 50 (balance) | — |
MF Moulding Compound D704-T7 — frequently asked
What is MF Moulding Compound D704-T7 used for?
MF Moulding Compound D704-T7 is typically used for melamine tableware, electrical switchgear housings and buttons and knobs. In short: food-contact thermoset compound; hard, stain-resistant surface; gloss straight from tool.
What is the tensile strength of MF Moulding Compound D704-T7?
MF Moulding Compound D704-T7 has a typical tensile strength of 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) — stronger than 61% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 11 listed tempers.
Is MF Moulding Compound D704-T7 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (48/100, worse than 75% of polymer grades). Drill, trim and tap with sharp carbide or diamond tooling at high speed and low feed; the cured resin and mineral/glass fillers are abrasive and the material chips at unsupported edges.
Can MF Moulding Compound D704-T7 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (0/100). Not weldable or re-meltable — thermoset; join by mechanical fasteners, moulded-in inserts or adhesives (epoxy, cyanoacrylate) after abrading the glossy skin.
What surface finishes work on MF Moulding Compound D704-T7?
Comes out of a polished tool with a high-gloss, colour-fast surface needing no paint; deflash by tumbling or blasting, and avoid plating — decorate instead with melamine overlay foils or in-mould paper.
Can MF Moulding Compound D704-T7 be formed, bent or molded?
Compression, transfer or thermoset injection at 145–175 °C mould temperature with 20–40 s/mm cure; pre-heat or preform the powder, vent/breathe the tool to release condensation water, and allow 0.5–0.9 % shrinkage (0.1–0.4 % for glass grades).
What is the maximum service temperature of MF Moulding Compound D704-T7?
MF Moulding Compound D704-T7 is rated for continuous use to about 125°C (257 °F), and briefly to 150°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- ASTM D704 — Standard Specification for Melamine-Formaldehyde Molding Compounds — ASTM International (2018)
- MIL-M-14 — Molding Plastics and Molded Plastic Parts, Thermosetting — US DoD (1990)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 2: Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
- Modern Plastics Handbook (thermosets chapter) — McGraw-Hill (2000)
- Amino (melamine) moulding compound technical data — Plastics Engineering Co. (Plenco) / INEOS Melamines / Sumitomo Bakelite (2022)
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.