PC-HT GF20
Reinforced grade
GF20 = 20% glass-fiber reinforced
Balanced stiffness/heat grade for structural housings and lamp bezels.
Values for the GF20 condition
Other PC-HT grades and fills
PC-HT is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at PC-HT.
Compare all 6 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Impact modified / high ductility | Higher low-temperature ductility and thick-wall impact, with a modest HDT penalty. | 60 | 63 | 120 | 80 Shore D |
Antistatic / static-dissipative | Carbon-based additive package for handling trays and electronics housings requiring charge control. | 63 | 65 | 15 | 85 Shore D |
Flame retardant | Non-halogen FR package for electrical enclosures and LED fixtures needing V-0 at thin wall. | 65 | 68 | 70 | 84 Shore D |
10% glass-fiber reinforced | Light glass loading for reduced warpage and shrinkage while keeping decent toughness. | — | 88 | 6 | — |
GF20This page 20% glass-fiber reinforced | Balanced stiffness/heat grade for structural housings and lamp bezels. | — | 110 | 4 | — |
30% glass-fiber reinforced | Maximum stiffness and dimensional stability near the HDT limit; opaque, abrasive to tooling. | — | 130 | 3 | — |
What is PC-HT GF20?
PC-HT GF20 is PC-HT in the GF20 grade — balanced stiffness/heat grade for structural housings and lamp bezels. PC-HT GF20 has a yield strength of 68 MPa (9.86 ksi) and a tensile strength of 110 MPa (16 ksi) — stronger than 77% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 6 GPa (0.87 Msi). PC-HT GF20 has a density of 1.35 g/cm³ (0.0488 lb/in³), heavier than 75% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 185°C (365 °F).
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 85/100, better than 92% of polymer grades
- Low, predictable mold shrinkage — 0.3%, better than 90% of polymer grades
- Stiff — 6 GPa (0.87 Msi), better than 89% of polymer grades
- High strength — 68 MPa (9.86 ksi), better than 77% of polymer grades
- High service temperature — 140°C (284 °F), better than 76% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 4%, worse than 78% of polymer grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 70/100, worse than 78% of polymer grades
- High embodied carbon — 7 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 77% of polymer grades
- Heavy — 1.35 g/cm³ (0.0488 lb/in³), worse than 75% of polymer grades
PC-HT GF20 properties
Typical room-temperature values for PC-HT GF20; 11 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are PC-HT reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical6
PC-HT GF20 has a density of 1.35 g/cm³ (0.0488 lb/in³), heavier than 75% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 185°C (365 °F).
Mechanical17
PC-HT GF20 has a yield strength of 68 MPa (9.86 ksi) and a tensile strength of 110 MPa (16 ksi) — stronger than 77% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 6 GPa (0.87 Msi).
Thermal11
PC-HT GF20 is rated for continuous service to 140°C (284 °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 32 µm/m·K (17.8 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
PC-HT GF20 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 (70/100), worse than 78% of polymer grades. UV resistance is fair.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PC-HT GF20 takes about 112 MJ of energy and emits 7 kg of CO₂ — more than 67% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability8
PC-HT GF20's machinability is fair (52/100, worse than 72% of polymer grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability good (65/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with PC-HT GF20
Is PC-HT easy to machine?
Machines like standard PC: sharp positive-rake tools, high speed with low feed, air or mist cooling; anneal 1–2 h near 130 °C to relieve stress and avoid solvent crazing.
Can PC-HT be welded?
Ultrasonic, hot-plate, vibration and laser welding all work; solvent bonding with methylene chloride blends is possible but raises stress-crack risk.
Can PC-HT be formed, bent or molded?
Dry 4–6 h at 120–125 °C to <0.02% moisture; inject at 310–345 °C melt with 90–140 °C mold, use generous gates and slow fill for optics.
What surface finishes work on PC-HT?
Takes high-gloss tooled surfaces, hard-coat (silicone/acrylic) for abrasion and UV, vacuum metallizing and pad printing; avoid alkaline paint strippers.
PC-HT 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 |
|---|---|---|
| high-Tg comonomer (PPPBP / BPI / TMC-bisrigid comonomer that raises Tg and HDT; exact type is producer-specific | 10 – 60 | 30 |
| heat/process stabilizers, mold release, additive package, grade dependent | 0.05 – 1 | 0.4 |
| bisphenol-A carbonate unitsmain chain of the copolycarbonate | ≥ 40 (balance) | — |
PC-HT GF20 — frequently asked
What is PC-HT GF20 used for?
PC-HT GF20 is typically used for LED housings, reflow-solderable electrical parts, automotive under-hood components and lighting fixtures. In short: highest-heat clear PC; reflow-capable polycarbonate; 160 °C HDT copolymer.
What is the yield strength of PC-HT GF20?
PC-HT GF20 has a typical yield strength of 68 MPa (9.86 ksi) and a tensile strength of 110 MPa (16 ksi) — stronger than 77% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is PC-HT GF20 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (52/100, worse than 72% of polymer grades). Machines like standard PC: sharp positive-rake tools, high speed with low feed, air or mist cooling; anneal 1–2 h near 130 °C to relieve stress and avoid solvent crazing.
Can PC-HT GF20 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). Ultrasonic, hot-plate, vibration and laser welding all work; solvent bonding with methylene chloride blends is possible but raises stress-crack risk.
What surface finishes work on PC-HT GF20?
Takes high-gloss tooled surfaces, hard-coat (silicone/acrylic) for abrasion and UV, vacuum metallizing and pad printing; avoid alkaline paint strippers.
Can PC-HT GF20 be formed, bent or molded?
Dry 4–6 h at 120–125 °C to <0.02% moisture; inject at 310–345 °C melt with 90–140 °C mold, use generous gates and slow fill for optics.
What is the maximum service temperature of PC-HT GF20?
PC-HT GF20 is rated for continuous use to about 140°C (284 °F), and briefly to 170°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- Lexan XHT / high-heat copolymer resin data — SABIC (2023)
- Apec high heat polycarbonate product range — Covestro (2023)
- CAMPUS plastics property database — PC and high-heat PC copolymers — CWFG (2024)
- ISO 7391 Plastics — Polycarbonate moulding and extrusion materials — ISO (2006)
- ASTM D3935 Standard Classification for Polycarbonate Molding and Extrusion Materials — ASTM (2017)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 2: Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
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.