PC-MF MF20
Reinforced grade · default condition
MF20 = 20 % talc/mineral filled
The mainstream PC-MF compound: best balance of stiffness, isotropic shrinkage and cost for flat housings, covers and bezels.
Values for the MF20 condition
Other PC-MF grades and fills
PC-MF is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at PC-MF.
Compare all 7 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Impact-modified mineral filled | Use where a low-warp mineral compound still has to survive drop tests; elastomer modifier restores toughness at the cost of stiffness and HDT. | — | 52 | 30 | — |
Flame-retardant mineral filled | Choose for enclosures needing UL 94 V-0 plus low warpage; FR package slightly lowers strength, HDT and melt stability. | 55 | 56 | 8 | 85 Shore D |
30 % talc/mineral filled | High-filler grade for maximum rigidity, lowest CTE and tightest dimensional control where impact is not critical. | — | 58 | 4 | 84 HRM |
UV/weather-stabilised mineral filled | For outdoor or lamp-adjacent parts: HALS/UV absorber package keeps colour and gloss, mechanical values essentially the same as MF20. | 59 | 61 | 10 | 85 Shore D |
MF20DefaultThis page 20 % talc/mineral filled | The mainstream PC-MF compound: best balance of stiffness, isotropic shrinkage and cost for flat housings, covers and bezels. | — | 62 | 10 | — |
10 % talc/mineral filled | Lightest filler loading: use when you need lower shrinkage and a bit more stiffness but must retain useful notched impact. | — | 63 | 25 | 118 HRR |
hybrid glass-fibre plus mineral filled | Pick when you need glass-fibre strength but the flat-panel warpage of pure GF grades is unacceptable; mineral balances the shrinkage anisotropy. | — | 82 | 4 | — |
What is PC-MF MF20?
PC-MF MF20 is PC-MF in the MF20 grade — the mainstream PC-MF compound: best balance of stiffness, isotropic shrinkage and cost for flat housings, covers and bezels. PC-MF MF20 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 10% and the elastic modulus is 3.8 GPa (0.551 Msi). PC-MF MF20 has a density of 1.35 g/cm³ (0.0488 lb/in³), heavier than 75% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 147°C (297 °F).
Advantages
- Stiff — 3.8 GPa (0.551 Msi), better than 85% of polymer grades
- Conducts heat well — 0.27 W/m·K (0.156 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 78% of polymer grades
- Low, predictable mold shrinkage — 0.45%, better than 77% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 68/100, worse than 85% of polymer grades
- Hard to polish — 30/100, worse than 82% of polymer grades
- Heavy — 1.35 g/cm³ (0.0488 lb/in³), worse than 75% of polymer grades
PC-MF MF20 properties
Typical room-temperature values for PC-MF MF20; 10 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are PC-MF reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical4
PC-MF MF20 has a density of 1.35 g/cm³ (0.0488 lb/in³), heavier than 75% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 147°C (297 °F).
Mechanical17
PC-MF MF20 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 10% and the elastic modulus is 3.8 GPa (0.551 Msi).
Thermal11
PC-MF MF20 is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 0.27 W/m·K (0.156 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 78% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 50 µm/m·K (27.8 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
PC-MF MF20 is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 22 kV/mm (558.8 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹³ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (68/100), worse than 85% of polymer grades. UV resistance is fair.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PC-MF MF20 takes about 90 MJ of energy and emits 5.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 75% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 15%.
Manufacturability8
PC-MF MF20's machinability is good (62/100, better than 60% of polymer grades); weldability good (65/100); formability poor (25/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with PC-MF MF20
Is PC-MF easy to machine?
Machines like unfilled PC but with abrasive filler: use sharp carbide tooling, high speed and modest feed with air blast, and avoid sharp internal corners since notch sensitivity is much higher than natural PC.
Can PC-MF be welded?
Ultrasonic, hot-plate, laser (dark grades excepted) and vibration welding all work; expect 50–70 % of unfilled-PC joint strength because filler sits in the weld plane, and solvent bonding risks stress cracking.
Can PC-MF be formed, bent or molded?
Dry 3–4 h at 120 °C to <0.02 % moisture, mould at 280–310 °C melt / 80–110 °C tool with generous gates; shrinkage is near-isotropic at 0.35–0.55 % so flat panels stay flat, but wear-resistant screws/nozzles are recommended.
What surface finishes work on PC-MF?
Takes paint, hard-coat and vacuum metallising well after primer, and is a common substrate for laser marking; the mineral leaves a slightly matte, non-optical surface that cannot be polished to clarity.
PC-MF 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 |
|---|---|---|
| talc (mineral filler)platy talc; mica/wollastonite/calcined clay used in some grades | 10 – 30 | 20 |
| coupling agent / compatibiliser | 0.2 – 1.5 | 0.6 |
| heat & process stabiliser, mould releasephosphite/hindered phenol plus PETS type release | 0.2 – 1 | 0.5 |
| pigment (typ. carbon black / TiO2) | 0 – 2 | 0.8 |
| polycarbonate (bisphenol-A)matrix resin, may include PCR-PC | ≥ 68 (balance) | — |
PC-MF MF20 — frequently asked
What is PC-MF MF20 used for?
PC-MF MF20 is typically used for large flat panel housings, appliance parts, automotive interior trim and electrical panel components. In short: lowest-warpage filled PC; isotropic shrinkage panel resin; stiffer, lower-cost PC.
What is the yield strength of PC-MF MF20?
PC-MF MF20 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 7 listed tempers.
Is PC-MF MF20 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (62/100, better than 60% of polymer grades). Machines like unfilled PC but with abrasive filler: use sharp carbide tooling, high speed and modest feed with air blast, and avoid sharp internal corners since notch sensitivity is much higher than natural PC.
Can PC-MF MF20 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (65/100). Ultrasonic, hot-plate, laser (dark grades excepted) and vibration welding all work; expect 50–70 % of unfilled-PC joint strength because filler sits in the weld plane, and solvent bonding risks stress cracking.
What surface finishes work on PC-MF MF20?
Takes paint, hard-coat and vacuum metallising well after primer, and is a common substrate for laser marking; the mineral leaves a slightly matte, non-optical surface that cannot be polished to clarity.
Can PC-MF MF20 be formed, bent or molded?
Dry 3–4 h at 120 °C to <0.02 % moisture, mould at 280–310 °C melt / 80–110 °C tool with generous gates; shrinkage is near-isotropic at 0.35–0.55 % so flat panels stay flat, but wear-resistant screws/nozzles are recommended.
What is the maximum service temperature of PC-MF MF20?
PC-MF MF20 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-MF MF20 and PC-MF MF-FR?
MF20 is the default condition — the mainstream PC-MF compound: best balance of stiffness, isotropic shrinkage and cost for flat housings, covers and bezels. MF-FR: choose for enclosures needing UL 94 V-0 plus low warpage; FR package slightly lowers strength, HDT and melt stability. Yield strength is 60 MPa in MF20 versus 55 MPa in MF-FR.
Sources
- ISO 7391 Plastics — Polycarbonate (PC) moulding and extrusion materials — ISO (2006)
- ASTM D3935 Standard Specification for Polycarbonate (PC) Unfilled and Reinforced Material — ASTM (2017)
- CAMPUS plastics database — mineral-filled PC datasheets — CWFG / CAMPUS consortium (2024)
- Makrolon / Bayblend mineral-filled PC grade datasheets — Covestro (2023)
- LEXAN resin mineral- and hybrid-filled grade datasheets — SABIC (2023)
- Engineering Plastics (ASM Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 2) — 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.