PC-FR
also Flame Retardant PC, FR PC
PC-FR is bisphenol-A polycarbonate compounded with flame-retardant additives to meet UL94 V-0/V-1 ratings, covered under ASTM D3935 for FR grades and supplied as 3D printing filament, moulding pellets and 10–30% glass-filled variants.
Values for the V0 condition
PC-FR grades and fills
PC-FR is supplied in 11 conditions, soft to hard. V0 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 11 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Impact-modified FR | Choose for thick-wall or cold-service FR parts needing ductile failure down to −30 °C and below. | 56 | 58 | 120 | 78 Shore D |
ESD/antistatic FR | Use for electronics trays, fixtures and covers needing both V-0 and static dissipation. | 57 | 58 | 25 | 83 Shore D |
post-consumer-recycled content flame-retardant PC | Choose to meet recycled-content targets (typically 30–50% PCR) with retained V-0 rating; slightly lower and more variable impact. | 59 | 60 | 80 | 80 Shore D |
5VA/5VB | Pick for IT/industrial enclosures and PV/EV boxes requiring UL94 5VA at 2–3 mm. | 60 | 62 | 90 | 82 Shore D |
V-0 transparent | Use when a V-0 part must also be transparent (light guides, covers, sight glasses); slightly lower thin-wall rating margin. | 61 | 63 | 100 | 81 Shore D |
UV-stabilized FR | Pick for outdoor FR housings (PV junction boxes, EV chargers, luminaires) to resist yellowing and embrittlement. | 61 | 63 | 95 | 81 Shore D |
V0Default V-0 unfilled | Default choice for electrical enclosures and housings needing V-0 with full PC toughness. | 62 | 64 | 100 | |
lightly flame-retarded PC (max toughness/flow) | Choose when only V-2 is required and maximum ductility/flow and lowest cost matter. | 62 | 65 | 115 | 80 Shore D |
10% glass-fiber reinforced flame-retardant PC | Modest stiffness/warpage improvement while keeping some ductility. | 78 | 6 | ||
20% glass-fiber reinforced flame-retardant PC | Balanced stiffness, creep and heat resistance for load-bearing FR housings and brackets. | 95 | 4 | ||
30% glass-fiber reinforced flame-retardant PC | Maximum stiffness/dimensional stability FR grade for structural frames; brittle and abrasive to tooling. | 115 | 3 |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways PC-FR is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
3DP-FIL | PC-FR | Printing process |
What is PC-FR?
PC-FR is bisphenol-A polycarbonate compounded with flame-retardant additives to meet UL94 V-0/V-1 ratings, covered under ASTM D3935 for FR grades and supplied as 3D printing filament, moulding pellets and 10–30% glass-filled variants. It is specified for electrical and appliance enclosures that need PC toughness — 62 MPa yield, 64 MPa tensile, about 100% elongation at 1.22 g/cm³ — with service to 120 °C. Limits are stress-crack sensitivity to solvents and amine-based cleaners, the need for thorough drying before processing, and higher cost than unfilled PC, which is the alternative when no flame rating is required. PC-FR has a density of 1.22 g/cm³ (0.0441 lb/in³), heavier than 61% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 147°C (297 °F). PC-FR has a yield strength of 62 MPa (8.99 ksi) and a tensile strength of 64 MPa (9.28 ksi) — stronger than 72% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 100% and the elastic modulus is 2.4 GPa (0.341 Msi).
What is PC-FR used for?
- Aircraft interiors
- Rail components
- Electrical housings
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 75/100, better than 86% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 60/100, worse than 89% of polymer grades
PC-FR properties
Typical room-temperature values for PC-FR-V0; bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical5
PC-FR has a density of 1.22 g/cm³ (0.0441 lb/in³), heavier than 61% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 147°C (297 °F).
Mechanical17
PC-FR has a yield strength of 62 MPa (8.99 ksi) and a tensile strength of 64 MPa (9.28 ksi) — stronger than 72% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 100% and the elastic modulus is 2.4 GPa (0.341 Msi).
Thermal11
PC-FR is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °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 67 µm/m·K (37.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
PC-FR is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 20 kV/mm (508 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (60/100), worse than 89% of polymer grades. UV resistance is fair.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PC-FR takes about 110 MJ of energy and emits 6.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 64% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.
Manufacturability8
PC-FR's machinability is good (65/100, better than 66% of polymer grades); weldability good (60/100); formability good (60/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the polymer family
Yield strength against density for every polymer grade FabDigit runs. PC-FR is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with PC-FR
Is PC-FR easy to machine?
Machines cleanly with sharp positive-rake carbide tools, high speed / light feed and air cooling; avoid water-soluble coolants and anneal 120 °C to prevent stress cracking around holes.
Can PC-FR be welded?
Ultrasonic, hot-plate, laser and IR welding all work; solvent bonding with dichloromethane blends or UV/cyanoacrylate adhesives — never use ammonia- or amine-based cleaners.
Can PC-FR be formed, bent or molded?
Dry 4 h at 120 °C (<0.02% moisture), melt 270–305 °C, mold 70–110 °C, generous radii and 0.5–1.5° draft; for FDM print at 265–305 °C nozzle with 100–130 °C chamber/bed, PVP/PC-adhesive plate and enclosure to stop warping.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit's quote engine applies to PC-FR. Design inside these and the part quotes instantly; outside them it routes to an engineer.
3D printing
| Technologies | FDM |
|---|---|
| Layer height | 50 – 300 µmdefault 100 µm |
| Minimum wall / feature | 1 / 0.5 mm |
| Build envelope | 300 × 300 × 380 mm |
| Supports | Yes |
| Anisotropy | Moderate |
PC-FR 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 |
|---|---|---|
| organophosphate / phosphazene flame retanon-halogen types (BDP/RDP) or potassium sulfonate salts (KSS) in transparent grades | 2 – 8 | 4 |
| PTFE anti-drip agentfibrillating PTFE for drip suppression | 0.1 – 0.7 | 0.35 |
| heat/hydrolysis stabilizer + mold releasphosphite antioxidant, epoxy acid scavenger, PETS release | 0.1 – 0.8 | 0.3 |
| pigment / UV absorberTiO2 or carbon black + benzotriazole/triazine UVA in weatherable grades | 0 – 2 | 0.5 |
| bisphenol-A polycarbonate resinlinear BPA-PC, Mw ~22,000–30,000 | ≥ 88 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on PC-FR?
Paints and hard-coats adhere well after IPA wipe (no aggressive solvents); vacuum metallizing and EMI conductive coatings common; polishing or vapor smoothing is limited — better to mold/print a gloss surface.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on polymer parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Coating
Coloring
Metallization / Functional
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to PC-FR in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Trade names
- Flame Retardant PCFR PCPC FR
How much does PC-FR cost?
PC-FR is a premium-cost polymer ($$$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
PC-FR — frequently asked
What is PC-FR used for?
PC-FR is typically used for aircraft interiors, rail components and electrical housings. In short: flame-retardant PC (V-0 class).
What is the yield strength of PC-FR?
PC-FR has a typical yield strength of 62 MPa (8.99 ksi) and a tensile strength of 64 MPa (9.28 ksi) — stronger than 72% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 11 listed tempers.
Is PC-FR easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (65/100, better than 66% of polymer grades). Machines cleanly with sharp positive-rake carbide tools, high speed / light feed and air cooling; avoid water-soluble coolants and anneal 120 °C to prevent stress cracking around holes.
Can PC-FR be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (60/100). Ultrasonic, hot-plate, laser and IR welding all work; solvent bonding with dichloromethane blends or UV/cyanoacrylate adhesives — never use ammonia- or amine-based cleaners.
What surface finishes work on PC-FR?
Paints and hard-coats adhere well after IPA wipe (no aggressive solvents); vacuum metallizing and EMI conductive coatings common; polishing or vapor smoothing is limited — better to mold/print a gloss surface.
Can PC-FR be formed, bent or molded?
Dry 4 h at 120 °C (<0.02% moisture), melt 270–305 °C, mold 70–110 °C, generous radii and 0.5–1.5° draft; for FDM print at 265–305 °C nozzle with 100–130 °C chamber/bed, PVP/PC-adhesive plate and enclosure to stop warping.
What is the maximum service temperature of PC-FR?
PC-FR is rated for continuous use to about 120°C (248 °F), and briefly to 140°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between PC-FR V0 and PC-FR IM-FR?
V0 is the default condition — default choice for electrical enclosures and housings needing V-0 with full PC toughness. IM-FR: choose for thick-wall or cold-service FR parts needing ductile failure down to −30 °C and below. Yield strength is 62 MPa in V0 versus 56 MPa in IM-FR.
How much does PC-FR cost?
PC-FR is a premium-cost polymer ($$$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Can FabDigit make parts in PC-FR?
Yes — PC-FR is available for 3D printing with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- Makrolon 6265/6555 & Bayblend FR flame-retardant PC datasheets — Covestro (2023)
- LEXAN resin 940A/945A/FR grades product data — SABIC (2023)
- CAMPUS plastics database — PC FR injection grades (ISO 10350 data sets) — CWFG/CAMPUS (2024)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 2: Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
- UL 94 Standard for Tests for Flammability of Plastic Materials — UL Solutions (2021)
- PC-FR / PC-ISO FDM filament technical data — Stratasys / Polymaker / eSUN (2024)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.