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PMMA-HR FR (Flame-retardant compound)

Flame-retardant grade

JIS K6717 · ISO 8257-3 PMMA-HR

Phosphorus/halogen-free FR compound for luminaire and rail-interior parts needing a V-rating; clarity and HDT drop.

Standard cost $$

Values for the FR condition

Other PMMA-HR grades and fills

PMMA-HR is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at PMMA-HR.

Compare all 4 grades and fillsHide
Grade · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %Hardness
Impact-modified heat-resistant acrylic
Choose where snap-fits, thin walls or handling drops would crack standard PMMA; trades stiffness, clarity and HDT for toughness.—503060 HRM
FRThis page
Flame-retardant compound
Phosphorus/halogen-free FR compound for luminaire and rail-interior parts needing a V-rating; clarity and HDT drop.5658388 Shore D
Light-diffusing (opal) heat-resistant grade
Contains diffusing particles to hide LED hot spots in luminaire covers while keeping the higher HDT.6668389 Shore D
Extra-high-heat maleimide copolymer
Pick when the transparent part sees LED/halogen heat above 110 °C and PC yellowing is unacceptable.—732.5—

What is PMMA-HR FR?

PMMA-HR FR is PMMA-HR in the FR grade — phosphorus/halogen-free FR compound for luminaire and rail-interior parts needing a V-rating; clarity and HDT drop. PMMA-HR FR has a yield strength of 56 MPa (8.12 ksi) and a tensile strength of 58 MPa (8.41 ksi) — stronger than 63% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 3.2 GPa (0.464 Msi). PMMA-HR FR has a density of 1.23 g/cm³ (0.0444 lb/in³), heavier than 62% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 125°C (257 °F).

Advantages

  • Polishes to a fine finish — 96/100, better than 99% of polymer grades
  • Good UV / weathering resistance — 92/100, better than 93% of polymer grades
  • Stiff — 3.2 GPa (0.464 Msi), better than 77% of polymer grades

Limitations

  • Low fracture toughness — 1 MPa·√m (0.91 ksi·√in), worse than 87% of polymer grades
  • Limited ductility — 3%, worse than 83% of polymer grades
  • Difficult to weld — 15/100, worse than 78% of polymer grades

PMMA-HR FR properties

Typical room-temperature values for PMMA-HR FR; 29 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are PMMA-HR reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.

Physical6

PMMA-HR FR has a density of 1.23 g/cm³ (0.0444 lb/in³), heavier than 62% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 125°C (257 °F).

Density1.23 g/cm³0.04 lb/in³
Glass Transition (Tg)125°C257 °F
Water Absorption (24 h)0.3%
Water Absorption (Saturation)2%
Refractive Index1.492
Light Transmission80%

Mechanical16

PMMA-HR FR has a yield strength of 56 MPa (8.12 ksi) and a tensile strength of 58 MPa (8.41 ksi) — stronger than 63% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 3.2 GPa (0.464 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus3.2 GPa0.46 Msi
Shear Modulus1.2 GPa0.17 Msi
Bulk Modulus5 GPa0.77 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.38
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)58 MPa8.4 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)56 MPa8.1 ksi
Elongation at Break3%
Compressive Strength100 MPa14.5 ksi
Compressive Modulus3 GPa0.44 Msi
Flexural Strength92 MPa13.3 ksi
Flexural Modulus3.1 GPa0.45 Msi
Shear Strength48 MPa7 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)1 MPa·√m0.91 ksi·√in
Izod Impact, Notched15 J/m0.28 ft·lbf/in
Hardness, Shore D88 Shore D
Hardness, Rockwell M92 HRM

Thermal11

PMMA-HR FR is rated for continuous service to 85°C (185 °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 68 µm/m·K (37.8 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity0.2 W/m·K0.12 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity1,470 J/kg·K0.35 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)68 µm/m·K37.8 µin/in·°F
Max Service Temperature (continuous)85°C185 °F
Min Service Temperature-40°C-40 °F
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa100°C212 °F
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa93°C199 °F
Vicat Softening Point (B50)108°C226 °F
Flammability (UL 94)V-0 at 1.6–3.0 mm (V-2 for the transparent variants)
Limiting Oxygen Index27%
Max Service Temperature (short-term)115°C239 °F

Electrical7

PMMA-HR FR is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 25 kV/mm (635 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹² Ω·m.

Electrical Resistivity1×10¹² Ω·m3.94×10¹⁹ µΩ·in
Dielectric Strength25 kV/mm635 V/mil
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)2.8
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)0.02
Volume Resistivity1×10¹⁵ Ω·cm
Surface Resistivity1×10¹⁶ Ω
Comparative Tracking Index (CTI)600 V

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is very good (74/100), worse than 68% of polymer grades. UV resistance is excellent.

Corrosion ResistanceVery good74/100
UV / Weathering ResistanceExcellent92/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryGood against water, dilute acids/alkalis, aliphatic hydrocarbons, greases; attacked or stress-cracked by ketones, esters, chlorinated solvents, aromatics, alcohols and concentrated oxidizing acids.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of PMMA-HR FR takes about 103 MJ of energy and emits 6.3 kg of CO₂ — less than 54% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)103 MJ/kg44,282 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)6.3 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water250 L/kg30 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content0%

Manufacturability8

PMMA-HR FR's machinability is good (63/100, better than 63% of polymer grades); weldability poor (15/100); formability poor (28/100).

MachinabilityGood63/100
WeldabilityPoor15/100
Formability (cold)Poor28/100
PolishabilityExcellent96/100
Mold Shrinkage0.5%
Melt Flow Rate2 g/10 min
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)255°C491 °F
Mold Temperature (typ.)85°C185 °F

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with PMMA-HR FR

Is PMMA-HR easy to machine?

Machines cleanly with sharp positive-rake, polished-flute tools and high speed / low feed; use air or mist cooling and anneal (80 °C, 2–4 h) before and after cutting to avoid crazing at drilled holes.

Can PMMA-HR be welded?

Not fusion-welded in practice — join by solvent cementing (methylene-chloride-free acrylic cements are preferred for HR grades), acrylic adhesives, ultrasonic or hot-plate welding of thick sections.

Can PMMA-HR be formed, bent or molded?

Dry 4 h at 80–90 °C to <0.05 % moisture; injection mould at 240–275 °C melt with 70–110 °C tool, moderate injection speed and high hold pressure for optical parts; sheet thermoforms at 165–195 °C.

What surface finishes work on PMMA-HR?

Flame-, diamond- or buff-polishes to optical clarity; accepts hard/anti-scratch and AR coatings, vacuum metallization and pad printing — avoid alcohol- or ester-based cleaners which cause stress cracking.

PMMA-HR 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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
N-substituted maleimide (e.g. N-cyclohexraises Tg / Vicat; alternative route uses maleic anhydride or glutarimide ring formation5 – 2514
styrene / α-methylstyreneoptional comonomer to balance copolymerization and flow0 – 103
methyl acrylatethermal-stability comonomer in some grades0 – 20.5
additives (UV absorber, lubricant, antiograde-dependent0 – 1.50.5
methyl methacrylate (MMA)backbone monomer≥ 70 (balance)—

PMMA-HR FR — frequently asked

What is PMMA-HR FR used for?

PMMA-HR FR is typically used for automotive interior trim, LED lighting components, headlamp lenses and hot-environment glazing. In short: highest heat acrylic; optical clarity retained hot; low elongation, notch-sensitive.

What is the yield strength of PMMA-HR FR?

PMMA-HR FR has a typical yield strength of 56 MPa (8.12 ksi) and a tensile strength of 58 MPa (8.41 ksi) — stronger than 63% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.

Is PMMA-HR FR easy to machine?

Reasonably — machinability is rated good (63/100, better than 63% of polymer grades). Machines cleanly with sharp positive-rake, polished-flute tools and high speed / low feed; use air or mist cooling and anneal (80 °C, 2–4 h) before and after cutting to avoid crazing at drilled holes.

Can PMMA-HR FR be welded?

Not readily — weldability is rated poor (15/100). Not fusion-welded in practice — join by solvent cementing (methylene-chloride-free acrylic cements are preferred for HR grades), acrylic adhesives, ultrasonic or hot-plate welding of thick sections.

What surface finishes work on PMMA-HR FR?

Flame-, diamond- or buff-polishes to optical clarity; accepts hard/anti-scratch and AR coatings, vacuum metallization and pad printing — avoid alcohol- or ester-based cleaners which cause stress cracking.

Can PMMA-HR FR be formed, bent or molded?

Dry 4 h at 80–90 °C to <0.05 % moisture; injection mould at 240–275 °C melt with 70–110 °C tool, moderate injection speed and high hold pressure for optical parts; sheet thermoforms at 165–195 °C.

What is the maximum service temperature of PMMA-HR FR?

PMMA-HR FR is rated for continuous use to about 85°C (185 °F), and briefly to 115°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

Sources

  1. ISO 8257-1/-2 Plastics — Poly(methyl methacrylate) moulding and extrusion materials — ISO (2021)
  2. JIS K 6717 Poly(methyl methacrylate) moulding and extrusion materials — JSA (2018)
  3. ISO 7823-1/-2 Poly(methyl methacrylate) sheets — ISO (2003)
  4. Heat-resistant acrylic moulding compound datasheets (Röhm Plexiglas hw/8N series, Kuraray Parapet HR, Mitsubishi Chemical Acrypet VH) — various producers (2023)
  5. CAMPUS plastics database — PMMA heat-resistant grades (ISO 10350-1 datasets) — CAMPUS consortium (2024)
  6. 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.