PC-ABS · flame-retardant grade
PC-ABS-FR
Properties of the FR condition, compared with the other PC-ABS grades.
Pick for electrical enclosures, chargers and appliance parts needing UL 94 V-1/V-0 with only modest loss of toughness.
What is PC-ABS-FR?
PC-ABS-FR is PC-ABS in the FR grade — pick for electrical enclosures, chargers and appliance parts needing UL 94 V-1/V-0 with only modest loss of toughness. PC-ABS-FR has a yield strength of 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) and a tensile strength of 57 MPa (8.27 ksi) — stronger than 59% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 65% and the elastic modulus is 2.4 GPa (0.348 Msi). PC-ABS-FR has a density of 1.2 g/cm³ (0.0434 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 125°C (257 °F). Unfilled is the default condition FabDigit quotes; FR is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 3.5 MPa·√m (3.19 ksi·√in), better than 80% of polymer grades
- Readily welded — 72/100, better than 78% of polymer grades
PC-ABS-FR properties
Typical room-temperature values for PC-ABS-FR — 11 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every PC-ABS grade. Each bar shows where the value sits among the polymer grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical4
PC-ABS-FR has a density of 1.2 g/cm³ (0.0434 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 125°C (257 °F).
Mechanical17
PC-ABS-FR has a yield strength of 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) and a tensile strength of 57 MPa (8.27 ksi) — stronger than 59% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 65% and the elastic modulus is 2.4 GPa (0.348 Msi).
Thermal11
PC-ABS-FR is rated for continuous service to 95°C (203 °F). It conducts heat at 0.2 W/m·K (0.116 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 56% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 75 µm/m·K (41.7 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
PC-ABS-FR is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 25 kV/mm (635 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (78/100), worse than 64% of polymer grades. UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PC-ABS-FR takes about 100 MJ of energy and emits 4.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 61% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 15%.
Manufacturability8
PC-ABS-FR's machinability is good (65/100, better than 66% of polymer grades); weldability very good (72/100); formability good (60/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other PC-ABS grades and fills
PC-ABS is also supplied in 9 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the PC-ABS overview.
- UnfilledDefaultDefault choice for tough, dimensionally stable housings needing better heat and impact than ABS at lower cost than PC.56 MPa tensile
- GF30Choose for maximum stiffness, strength and dimensional stability in structural brackets and frames; accept brittle, anisotropic behaviour and visible fiber on the surface.115 MPa tensile
- GF15Middle ground when extra stiffness and lower creep/CTE are needed but some notched impact must be kept.90 MPa tensile
- FR V-0Use when a V-0 listing at thin wall (1.5 mm or less) plus 5VB/glow-wire performance is mandatory.58 MPa tensile
- FRPick for electrical enclosures, chargers and appliance parts needing UL 94 V-1/V-0 with only modest loss of toughness.57 MPa tensile
- FDMUse for FDM prototypes and jigs needing better toughness/heat than ABS; properties are anisotropic and well below moulded values.40 MPa tensile
Working with PC-ABS-FR
Is PC-ABS easy to machine?
Machines and drills easily with sharp, high-rake tools and air/mist cooling; avoid heat build-up and use light finishing passes to prevent stress crazing at edges.
Can PC-ABS be welded?
Ultrasonic, hot-plate, spin and laser welding all work well; solvent bonding with methylene-chloride/MEK cements and cyanoacrylate/epoxy adhesives is common.
Can PC-ABS be formed, bent or molded?
Dry 2–4 h at 80–100 °C before moulding; melt 240–285 °C, mould 60–95 °C, shrinkage 0.4–0.7 %; keep gates/wall transitions generous to limit moulded-in stress and use ≥0.5° draft.
What surface finishes work on PC-ABS?
Excellent paint, pad-print and vacuum-metallizing substrate; ABS phase allows electroless-nickel/chrome plating — anneal or use plating grades to prevent solvent-induced cracking.
PC-ABS 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 |
|---|---|---|
| polycarbonate (PC)bisphenol-A polycarbonate phase — sets heat resistance and stiffness | 45 – 75 | 60 |
| stabilizers/processing additivesantioxidant, hydrolysis stabilizer, mould release, pigment | 0.3 – 2 | 1 |
| glass fiber0 in default grade; 15–30 wt% in GF variants | 0 – 30 | 0 |
| flame retardant (phosphate ester / halogFR variants only | 0 – 15 | 0 |
| ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene)provides flow, impact modification and platability | ≥ 25 (balance) | — |
PC-ABS-FR — frequently asked
What is PC-ABS-FR used for?
PC-ABS-FR is typically used for automotive interior trim and consoles, electrical enclosures, IT and appliance housings, power tool housings, plated decorative trim and medical device housings. In short: impact resistant blend.
What is the yield strength of PC-ABS-FR?
PC-ABS-FR has a typical yield strength of 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) and a tensile strength of 57 MPa (8.27 ksi) — stronger than 59% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 10 listed tempers.
Is PC-ABS-FR easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (65/100, better than 66% of polymer grades). Machines and drills easily with sharp, high-rake tools and air/mist cooling; avoid heat build-up and use light finishing passes to prevent stress crazing at edges.
Can PC-ABS-FR be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (72/100). Ultrasonic, hot-plate, spin and laser welding all work well; solvent bonding with methylene-chloride/MEK cements and cyanoacrylate/epoxy adhesives is common.
What surface finishes work on PC-ABS-FR?
Excellent paint, pad-print and vacuum-metallizing substrate; ABS phase allows electroless-nickel/chrome plating — anneal or use plating grades to prevent solvent-induced cracking.
Can PC-ABS-FR be formed, bent or molded?
Dry 2–4 h at 80–100 °C before moulding; melt 240–285 °C, mould 60–95 °C, shrinkage 0.4–0.7 %; keep gates/wall transitions generous to limit moulded-in stress and use ≥0.5° draft.
What is the maximum service temperature of PC-ABS-FR?
PC-ABS-FR is rated for continuous use to about 95°C (203 °F), and briefly to 125°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in PC-ABS-FR?
Yes — PC-ABS-FR is available for CNC machining, sheet metal and injection molding with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- Bayblend PC+ABS grade datasheets (T65, T85, FR series) — Covestro (2023)
- Cycoloy PC/ABS resin datasheets (C1200, C2950) — SABIC (2023)
- CAMPUS plastics database — PC+ABS entries — CWFG/CAMPUS (2024)
- PC-ABS FDM material datasheet — Stratasys (2022)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 2: Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
- UL 94 Tests for Flammability of Plastic Materials — UL Solutions (2021)
- ISO 527 / ISO 178 / ISO 75 / ISO 306 test methods — ISO (2019)
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.