PC-FR · flame-retardant grade · default condition
PC-FR-V0
Properties of the V0 condition, compared with the other PC-FR grades.
Default choice for electrical enclosures and housings needing V-0 with full PC toughness.
What is PC-FR-V0?
PC-FR-V0 is PC-FR in the V0 grade — default choice for electrical enclosures and housings needing V-0 with full PC toughness. PC-FR-V0 has a yield strength of 62 MPa (8.99 ksi) and a tensile strength of 64 MPa (9.28 ksi) — stronger than 70% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 100% and the elastic modulus is 2.4 GPa (0.341 Msi). PC-FR-V0 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).
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 75/100, better than 86% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 60/100, worse than 91% of polymer grades
PC-FR-V0 properties
Typical room-temperature values for PC-FR-V0 — 12 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every PC-FR grade. Each bar shows where the value sits among the polymer grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical5
PC-FR-V0 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-V0 has a yield strength of 62 MPa (8.99 ksi) and a tensile strength of 64 MPa (9.28 ksi) — stronger than 70% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 100% and the elastic modulus is 2.4 GPa (0.341 Msi).
Thermal11
PC-FR-V0 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-V0 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 91% of polymer grades. UV resistance is fair.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PC-FR-V0 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-V0'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.
Other PC-FR grades and fills
PC-FR is also supplied in 11 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the PC-FR overview.
- V0DefaultDefault choice for electrical enclosures and housings needing V-0 with full PC toughness.62 MPa yield
- GF30-FRMaximum stiffness/dimensional stability FR grade for structural frames; brittle and abrasive to tooling.115 MPa tensile
- GF20-FRBalanced stiffness, creep and heat resistance for load-bearing FR housings and brackets.95 MPa tensile
- GF10-FRModest stiffness/warpage improvement while keeping some ductility.78 MPa tensile
- 3DP-FILPick when the flame-retardant part is FDM-printed: use for enclosures, jigs and rail/aero interior prototypes; expect anisotropy and lower elongation than molded PC.52 MPa yield
Working with PC-FR-V0
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-V0 — frequently asked
What is PC-FR-V0 used for?
PC-FR-V0 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-V0?
PC-FR-V0 has a typical yield strength of 62 MPa (8.99 ksi) and a tensile strength of 64 MPa (9.28 ksi) — stronger than 70% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 12 listed tempers.
Is PC-FR-V0 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-V0 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-V0?
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-V0 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-V0?
PC-FR-V0 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 3DP-FIL?
V0 is the default condition — default choice for electrical enclosures and housings needing V-0 with full PC toughness. 3DP-FIL: pick when the flame-retardant part is FDM-printed: use for enclosures, jigs and rail/aero interior prototypes; expect anisotropy and lower elongation than molded PC. Yield strength is 62 MPa in V0 versus 52 MPa in 3DP-FIL.
Can FabDigit make parts in PC-FR-V0?
Yes — PC-FR-V0 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.