PS FR-V0
Flame-retardant grade
GB GB/T 4454 · ISO 1043-1 PS · also Styron, Polystyrol
FR-V0 = pS-FR
Pick for TV/appliance housings and electrical enclosures needing UL 94 V-0 at 1.5–3 mm; accept lower impact, higher density and reduced light stability.
Values for the FR-V0 condition
Other PS grades and fills
PS is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at PS.
Compare all 6 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Expanded polystyrene foam | Pick for low-cost thermal insulation, protective packaging and lost-foam patterns where mechanical loads are light. | — | 0.28 | — | — |
Antistatic / ESD HIPS | Pick for electronics trays, carriers and IC packaging where surface charge must be dissipated. | 21 | 24 | 25 | 70 Shore D |
High-impact polystyrene | Pick when parts must survive handling/drop loads or be thermoformed into tough opaque housings, refrigerator liners and packaging trays. | 24 | 25 | 40 | 100 HRR |
FR-V0This page PS-FR | Pick for TV/appliance housings and electrical enclosures needing UL 94 V-0 at 1.5–3 mm; accept lower impact, higher density and reduced light stability. | — | 26 | 20 | — |
Medium-impact polystyrene | Compromise grade when some toughness is needed but GPPS-like stiffness and translucency must be kept. | 28 | 33 | 15 | 78 Shore D |
GPPSDefault General-purpose (crystal) polystyrene, unfilled transparent | Pick for clarity, stiffness, gloss and lowest cost where impact loading and solvents are absent. | — | 46 | 2.5 | 75 HRM |
What is PS FR-V0?
PS FR-V0 is PS in the FR-V0 grade — pick for TV/appliance housings and electrical enclosures needing UL 94 V-0 at 1.5–3 mm; accept lower impact, higher density and reduced light stability. PS FR-V0 has a yield strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) and a tensile strength of 26 MPa (3.77 ksi) — weaker than 58% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 3.2 GPa (0.464 Msi). PS FR-V0 has a density of 1.15 g/cm³ (0.0415 lb/in³), lighter than 57% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 100°C (212 °F). GPPS is the default condition FabDigit quotes; FR-V0 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 80/100, better than 89% of polymer grades
- Low moisture uptake — 0.05%, better than 84% of polymer grades
- Stiff — 3.2 GPa (0.464 Msi), better than 77% of polymer grades
- Low embodied carbon — 3.4 kg CO₂/kg, better than 76% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 55/100, worse than 94% of polymer grades
- Degrades in UV without stabilisers — 20/100, worse than 88% of polymer grades
- Low fracture toughness — 1 MPa·√m (0.91 ksi·√in), worse than 87% of polymer grades
- Limited service temperature — 65°C (149 °F), worse than 83% of polymer grades
- Poor heat conductor — 0.14 W/m·K (0.0809 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 81% of polymer grades
PS FR-V0 properties
Typical room-temperature values for PS FR-V0; 11 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are PS reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical6
PS FR-V0 has a density of 1.15 g/cm³ (0.0415 lb/in³), lighter than 57% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 100°C (212 °F).
Mechanical17
PS FR-V0 has a yield strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) and a tensile strength of 26 MPa (3.77 ksi) — weaker than 58% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 3.2 GPa (0.464 Msi).
Thermal11
PS FR-V0 is rated for continuous service to 65°C (149 °F). It conducts heat at 0.14 W/m·K (0.0809 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 81% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 70 µm/m·K (38.9 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
PS FR-V0 is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 22 kV/mm (558.8 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 94% of polymer grades. UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PS FR-V0 takes about 87 MJ of energy and emits 3.4 kg of CO₂ — less than 77% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 2%.
Manufacturability8
PS FR-V0's machinability is good (60/100, better than 51% of polymer grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability fair (45/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with PS FR-V0
Is PS easy to machine?
Machines fast with sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and light feeds; use air blast (no solvent/oil coolants) and avoid stress risers to prevent crazing and chip-out.
Can PS be welded?
Excellent solvent cementing (MEK, toluene, dichloromethane) and ultrasonic/hot-plate welding; do not attempt to weld to non-styrenics without adhesives.
Can PS be formed, bent or molded?
Very easy injection molding at 190–250 °C melt / 20–70 °C mold with 0.4–0.7 % shrinkage; HIPS and GPPS sheet thermoform and vacuum-form readily above ~130 °C.
What surface finishes work on PS?
Molds to high gloss and can be printed, hot-stamped, vacuum-metallized or painted with PS-compatible (non-aggressive-solvent) systems; anneal machined parts near 70–80 °C to relieve stress before contact with solvents.
PS 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 |
|---|---|---|
| polybutadiene rubbergraft rubber phase in HIPS only | 4 – 12 | 7 |
| mineral oil / lubricantinternal lubricant/flow aid in HIPS and easy-flow GPPS | 0 – 3 | 1.5 |
| residual styrene monomerfood-grade limits per GB 4806.6 / EU 10/2011 | ≤ 0.1 | 0.03 |
| styrene (polystyrene homopolymer)GPPS: amorphous atactic polystyrene, Mw typically 200,000–300,000 g/mol | balance | — |
PS FR-V0 — frequently asked
What is PS FR-V0 used for?
PS FR-V0 is typically used for disposable cutlery and cups, CD/DVD cases, packaging inserts, lab-ware, optical light diffusers and model kits. In short: lowest-cost clear thermoplastic; stiff but notch-sensitive; best solvent-cementing styrenic.
What is the yield strength of PS FR-V0?
PS FR-V0 has a typical yield strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) and a tensile strength of 26 MPa (3.77 ksi) — weaker than 58% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is PS FR-V0 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (60/100, better than 51% of polymer grades). Machines fast with sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and light feeds; use air blast (no solvent/oil coolants) and avoid stress risers to prevent crazing and chip-out.
Can PS FR-V0 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). Excellent solvent cementing (MEK, toluene, dichloromethane) and ultrasonic/hot-plate welding; do not attempt to weld to non-styrenics without adhesives.
What surface finishes work on PS FR-V0?
Molds to high gloss and can be printed, hot-stamped, vacuum-metallized or painted with PS-compatible (non-aggressive-solvent) systems; anneal machined parts near 70–80 °C to relieve stress before contact with solvents.
Can PS FR-V0 be formed, bent or molded?
Very easy injection molding at 190–250 °C melt / 20–70 °C mold with 0.4–0.7 % shrinkage; HIPS and GPPS sheet thermoform and vacuum-form readily above ~130 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of PS FR-V0?
PS FR-V0 is rated for continuous use to about 65°C (149 °F), and briefly to 85°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between PS GPPS and PS ESD?
GPPS is the default condition — pick for clarity, stiffness, gloss and lowest cost where impact loading and solvents are absent. ESD: pick for electronics trays, carriers and IC packaging where surface charge must be dissipated. Yield strength is 45 MPa in GPPS versus 21 MPa in ESD.
Sources
- ISO 1043-1 Plastics — Symbols and abbreviated terms — ISO (2011)
- ASTM D4549 Standard Classification System for Polystyrene Molding and Extrusion Materials — ASTM (2020)
- Engineered Materials Handbook, Vol. 2: Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
- STYRON / Trinseo GPPS and HIPS grade datasheets — Trinseo (2023)
- CAMPUS plastics database — PS/HIPS entries — CWFG (2024)
- PlasticsEurope Eco-profile: General Purpose Polystyrene — PlasticsEurope (2020)
- GPPS/HIPS (2026)
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.