PC/ASA FR (Flame-retardant, UL 94 V-0)
Flame-retardant grade
Specify for electrical enclosures, EV chargers and PV junction boxes requiring UL 94 V-0 and high CTI; the flame-retardant package cuts elongation to 50%.
Values for the FR condition
Other PC/ASA grades and fills
PC/ASA is listed in 10 conditions; see the grade overview at PC/ASA.
Compare all 10 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Impact-modified / low-temperature toughness grade | Choose for outdoor housings and automotive exterior trim that must keep high notched impact below -30 °C, trading tensile strength down to 48 MPa. | 46 | 48 | 110 | 76 Shore D |
Low-gloss / matte grade | Pick for paint-free matte parts such as grilles, mirror housings and outdoor panels to reduce glare and scratch visibility; elongation drops to 45%. | 49 | 50 | 45 | 78 Shore D |
Post-consumer recycled content grade | Choose when 20-50% post-consumer recycled content is required for sustainability targets, accepting 52 MPa tensile, 55% elongation and a limited color range. | 51 | 52 | 55 | 79 Shore D |
FRThis page Flame-retardant, UL 94 V-0 | Specify for electrical enclosures, EV chargers and PV junction boxes requiring UL 94 V-0 and high CTI; the flame-retardant package cuts elongation to 50%. | 52 | 52 | 50 | 80 Shore D |
Mineral / talc filled | Use for large cosmetic panels needing low warpage, isotropic shrinkage and a paint- or plating-ready substrate; talc filling holds 52 MPa with 20% elongation. | 52 | 52 | 20 | 82 Shore D |
UNFDefault Unfilled / Natural | Pick as the default for general outdoor housings: unfilled and colorable, with a balance of toughness, stiffness and weather resistance at 55 MPa and 80% elongation. | 54 | 55 | 80 | 80 Shore D |
High-heat grade | Specify near heat sources or when higher HDT/Vicat is needed up to 105 °C service; the PC-rich composition raises strength to 60 MPa but needs hotter processing. | 59 | 60 | 90 | 81 Shore D |
10% glass-fiber reinforced | Use when a modest gain in stiffness and dimensional stability is enough - 3.5 GPa modulus at 70 MPa - while keeping usable ductility and surface appearance. | 68 | 70 | 5 | 84 Shore D |
20% glass-fiber reinforced | Choose for structural brackets: 20% glass raises modulus to 5.2 GPa and heat distortion temperature, but impact toughness drops and elongation falls to 3.5%. | — | 85 | 3.5 | — |
30% glass-fiber reinforced | Pick for the stiffest, most dimensionally stable structural parts and metal replacement at 100 MPa and 7.3 GPa, accepting 3% elongation and low impact toughness. | — | 100 | 3 | — |
What is PC/ASA FR?
PC/ASA FR is PC/ASA in the FR grade — specify for electrical enclosures, EV chargers and PV junction boxes requiring UL 94 V-0 and high CTI; the flame-retardant package cuts elongation to 50%. PC/ASA FR has a yield strength of 52 MPa (7.54 ksi) and a tensile strength of 52 MPa (7.54 ksi) — stronger than 56% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 50% and the elastic modulus is 2.5 GPa (0.363 Msi). PC/ASA FR has a density of 1.2 g/cm³ (0.0434 lb/in³), heavier than 57% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 120°C (248 °F). UNF is the default condition FabDigit quotes; FR is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Good UV / weathering resistance — 88/100, better than 90% of polymer grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 70/100, better than 77% of polymer grades
PC/ASA FR properties
Typical room-temperature values for PC/ASA FR; 29 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are PC/ASA reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical4
PC/ASA FR has a density of 1.2 g/cm³ (0.0434 lb/in³), heavier than 57% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 120°C (248 °F).
Mechanical14
PC/ASA FR has a yield strength of 52 MPa (7.54 ksi) and a tensile strength of 52 MPa (7.54 ksi) — stronger than 56% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 50% and the elastic modulus is 2.5 GPa (0.363 Msi).
Thermal11
PC/ASA FR is rated for continuous service to 90°C (194 °F). It conducts heat at 0.22 W/m·K (0.127 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 60% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 80 µm/m·K (44.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
PC/ASA FR is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 28 kV/mm (711.2 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (80/100), worse than 52% of polymer grades. UV resistance is excellent.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PC/ASA FR takes about 105 MJ of energy and emits 5.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 54% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability8
PC/ASA FR's machinability is good (58/100, worse than 55% of polymer grades); weldability fair (50/100); formability fair (45/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with PC/ASA FR
Is PC/ASA easy to machine?
Mill and drill with sharp carbide tools at high speed and low feed, using air cooling to prevent melt smearing. Keep cutting fluid out of stressed areas to avoid stress cracking, and anneal at 80–100 °C after machining to relieve internal stress.
Can PC/ASA be welded?
Ultrasonic, vibration-friction, hot-plate and laser welding all perform well, and the blend can be welded to PC and PC/ABS. Metal fusion welding does not apply; for bonding use polyurethane or epoxy adhesives rather than strong solvent types.
Can PC/ASA be formed, bent or molded?
Dry 3–4 h at 80–100 °C to below 0.02 % moisture, then mold at 240–280 °C melt and 55–90 °C tool with draft of at least 1° and no sharp corners in thick sections to limit internal stress. Sheet can be thermoformed at 160–180 °C.
What surface finishes work on PC/ASA?
High-gloss or textured surfaces can be produced directly in the mold; the material also accepts spray paint (use a low-solvent primer), vacuum aluminizing, screen printing and laser marking. No additional weathering coating is required for long-term outdoor service.
PC/ASA 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 PC continuous phase; stiffness and heat resistance | 45 – 75 | 60 |
| ASA (acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylate)acrylate rubber grafted SAN; weatherability and toughening | 25 – 55 | 38 |
| compatibilizer / additivescompatibilizer, antioxidant, HALS/UV absorber, release agent, pigment | 0.5 – 4 | 2 |
| glass fiberreinforced grades only, 10-30% | ≈ 0 | 0 |
PC/ASA FR — frequently asked
What is PC/ASA FR used for?
PC/ASA FR is typically used for outdoor enclosures, recreational vehicle parts, garden equipment housings and signage. In short: weatherable unpainted PC blend; no topcoat needed outdoors; tougher than plain ASA.
What is the yield strength of PC/ASA FR?
PC/ASA FR has a typical yield strength of 52 MPa (7.54 ksi) and a tensile strength of 52 MPa (7.54 ksi) — stronger than 56% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 10 listed tempers.
Is PC/ASA FR easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, worse than 55% of polymer grades). Mill and drill with sharp carbide tools at high speed and low feed, using air cooling to prevent melt smearing. Keep cutting fluid out of stressed areas to avoid stress cracking, and anneal at 80–100 °C after machining to relieve internal stress.
Can PC/ASA FR be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (50/100). Ultrasonic, vibration-friction, hot-plate and laser welding all perform well, and the blend can be welded to PC and PC/ABS. Metal fusion welding does not apply; for bonding use polyurethane or epoxy adhesives rather than strong solvent types.
What surface finishes work on PC/ASA FR?
High-gloss or textured surfaces can be produced directly in the mold; the material also accepts spray paint (use a low-solvent primer), vacuum aluminizing, screen printing and laser marking. No additional weathering coating is required for long-term outdoor service.
Can PC/ASA FR be formed, bent or molded?
Dry 3–4 h at 80–100 °C to below 0.02 % moisture, then mold at 240–280 °C melt and 55–90 °C tool with draft of at least 1° and no sharp corners in thick sections to limit internal stress. Sheet can be thermoformed at 160–180 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of PC/ASA FR?
PC/ASA FR is rated for continuous use to about 90°C (194 °F), and briefly to 120°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between PC/ASA UNF and PC/ASA GF10?
UNF is the default condition — pick as the default for general outdoor housings: unfilled and colorable, with a balance of toughness, stiffness and weather resistance at 55 MPa and 80% elongation. GF10: use when a modest gain in stiffness and dimensional stability is enough - 3.5 GPa modulus at 70 MPa - while keeping usable ductility and surface appearance. Yield strength is 54 MPa in UNF versus 68 MPa in GF10.
Sources
- Geloy / Cycoloy weatherable PC blend product data — SABIC (2023)
- Bayblend / Makroblend PC blend technical information — Covestro (2023)
- Terblend S (ASA/PC) product line data — INEOS Styrolution (2022)
- CAMPUS plastics database — PC+ASA ISO datasets — CWFG / CAMPUS (2024)
- ISO 527 / ISO 178 / ISO 75 / ISO 306 test methods — ISO (2019)
- UL 94 Tests for Flammability of Plastic Materials — 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.