PC-FR 5VA
Flame-retardant grade
also Flame Retardant PC, FR PC
5VA = 5VA/5VB
Pick for IT/industrial enclosures and PV/EV boxes requiring UL94 5VA at 2–3 mm.
Values for the 5VA condition
Other PC-FR grades and fills
PC-FR is listed in 11 conditions; see the grade overview at PC-FR.
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 |
5VAThis page 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 | — |
What is PC-FR 5VA?
PC-FR 5VA is PC-FR in the 5VA grade — pick for IT/industrial enclosures and PV/EV boxes requiring UL94 5VA at 2–3 mm. PC-FR 5VA has a yield strength of 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 62 MPa (8.99 ksi) — stronger than 69% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 90% and the elastic modulus is 2.4 GPa (0.348 Msi). PC-FR 5VA has a density of 1.24 g/cm³ (0.0448 lb/in³), heavier than 63% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 147°C (297 °F). V0 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; 5VA is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 75/100, better than 86% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 62/100, worse than 87% of polymer grades
PC-FR 5VA properties
Typical room-temperature values for PC-FR 5VA; 28 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are PC-FR reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical5
PC-FR 5VA has a density of 1.24 g/cm³ (0.0448 lb/in³), heavier than 63% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 147°C (297 °F).
Mechanical17
PC-FR 5VA has a yield strength of 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 62 MPa (8.99 ksi) — stronger than 69% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 90% and the elastic modulus is 2.4 GPa (0.348 Msi).
Thermal11
PC-FR 5VA is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 0.21 W/m·K (0.121 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 55% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 67 µm/m·K (37.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
PC-FR 5VA 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 (62/100), worse than 87% of polymer grades. UV resistance is fair.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PC-FR 5VA 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 5VA's machinability is good (55/100, worse than 64% of polymer grades); weldability good (60/100); formability good (55/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with PC-FR 5VA
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.
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.
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) | — |
PC-FR 5VA — frequently asked
What is PC-FR 5VA used for?
PC-FR 5VA 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 5VA?
PC-FR 5VA has a typical yield strength of 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 62 MPa (8.99 ksi) — stronger than 69% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 11 listed tempers.
Is PC-FR 5VA easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, worse than 64% 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 5VA 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 5VA?
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 5VA 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 5VA?
PC-FR 5VA 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in PC-FR 5VA?
Yes — PC-FR 5VA 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.