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Zenite ESD (ESD / conductive)

Grade

ISO LCP

Static-dissipative trays, carriers and burn-in sockets where surface resistivity must sit in the 10^4–10^9 Ω range.

High cost $$$$

Values for the ESD condition

Other Zenite grades and fills

Zenite is listed in 8 conditions; see the grade overview at Zenite.

Compare all 8 grades and fillsHide
Grade · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %Hardness
Mineral / mineral+glass filled
Choose when flatness, isotropic shrinkage or a smooth plateable/laser-markable surface matters more than peak strength.—1101.5—
Wear / lubricated grade
Bearing and sliding parts at high PV and high temperature where a low, stable friction coefficient is needed.—1101.586 Shore D
ESDThis page
ESD / conductive
Static-dissipative trays, carriers and burn-in sockets where surface resistivity must sit in the 10^4–10^9 Ω range.—1301.589 Shore D
High-heat series, glass reinforced
Higher-Tm LCP for lead-free reflow at 260–290 °C, blister-free thin walls and continuous use near 250 °C.—1451.6—
30 % glass-fiber reinforced
The workhorse connector grade: higher stiffness and HDT with acceptable flow for 0.3–0.5 mm walls and IR/vapour-phase reflow.—1501.8—
40 % glass-fiber reinforced
Maximum stiffness/HDT injection grade for larger structural connectors and parts loaded at 200 °C+.—1601.5—
UFDefault
Unfilled / Natural
Pick for the thinnest walls, best flow and highest ductility/impact, or where fiber wash and abrasion of tooling must be avoided.—1653.5—
Carbon-fiber reinforced
For maximum specific stiffness, low CTE and semi-conductive/EMI-shielding parts; darker colour only.—1901.3—

What is Zenite ESD?

Zenite ESD is Zenite in the ESD grade — static-dissipative trays, carriers and burn-in sockets where surface resistivity must sit in the 10^4–10^9 Ω range. Zenite ESD has a tensile strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi), stronger than 94% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 1.5% and the elastic modulus is 14 GPa (2.03 Msi). Zenite ESD has a density of 1.58 g/cm³ (0.0571 lb/in³), heavier than 92% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 125°C (257 °F). UF is the default condition FabDigit quotes; ESD is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • Conducts heat well — 0.8 W/m·K (0.462 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 99% of polymer grades
  • Low, predictable mold shrinkage — 0.1%, better than 99% of polymer grades
  • Stiff — 14 GPa (2.03 Msi), better than 98% of polymer grades
  • Low moisture uptake — 0.02%, better than 92% of polymer grades
  • High service temperature — 230°C (446 °F), better than 91% of polymer grades

Limitations

  • Limited ductility — 1.5%, worse than 98% of polymer grades
  • Heavy — 1.58 g/cm³ (0.0571 lb/in³), worse than 92% of polymer grades
  • Limited formability — 6/100, worse than 91% of polymer grades
  • Difficult to machine — 45/100, worse than 78% of polymer grades
  • Difficult to weld — 15/100, worse than 78% of polymer grades

Zenite ESD properties

Typical room-temperature values for Zenite ESD; 24 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Zenite reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.

Physical5

Zenite ESD has a density of 1.58 g/cm³ (0.0571 lb/in³), heavier than 92% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 125°C (257 °F).

Density1.58 g/cm³0.06 lb/in³
Melting Temperature (Tm)335°C635 °F
Glass Transition (Tg)125°C257 °F
Water Absorption (24 h)0.02%
Water Absorption (Saturation)0.1%

Mechanical12

Zenite ESD has a tensile strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi), stronger than 94% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 1.5% and the elastic modulus is 14 GPa (2.03 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus14 GPa2 Msi
Shear Modulus1.6 GPa0.23 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.38
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)130 MPa18.9 ksi
Elongation at Break1.5%
Compressive Strength70 MPa10.2 ksi
Flexural Strength150 MPa21.8 ksi
Flexural Modulus13 GPa1.9 Msi
Shear Strength45 MPa6.5 ksi
Izod Impact, Notched55 J/m1 ft·lbf/in
Hardness, Shore D89 Shore D
Hardness, Rockwell M85 HRM

Thermal10

Zenite ESD is rated for continuous service to 230°C (446 °F). It conducts heat at 0.8 W/m·K (0.462 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 99% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 5 µm/m·K (2.78 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity0.8 W/m·K0.46 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity1,200 J/kg·K0.29 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)5 µm/m·K2.8 µin/in·°F
Max Service Temperature (continuous)230°C446 °F
Min Service Temperature-50°C-58 °F
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa270°C518 °F
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa250°C482 °F
Flammability (UL 94)V-0 at 0.4 mm
Limiting Oxygen Index45%
Max Service Temperature (short-term)280°C536 °F

Electrical7

Zenite ESD is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 35 kV/mm (889 V/mil) and a resistivity of 100 Ω·m.

Electrical Resistivity100 Ω·m3.94×10⁹ µΩ·in
Dielectric Strength35 kV/mm889 V/mil
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)3.3
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)0.003
Volume Resistivity10,000 Ω·cm
Surface Resistivity1,000,000 Ω
Comparative Tracking Index (CTI)175 V

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is excellent (90/100), better than 82% of polymer grades. UV resistance is fair.

Corrosion ResistanceExcellent90/100
UV / Weathering ResistanceFair45/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryEssentially inert to acids, most solvents, fuels, hydraulic fluids and steam up to ~150 °C; attacked only by hot concentrated caustic and some strong oxidizers; very low permeability and near-zero moisture uptake, but poor UV resistance unless pigmented black.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of Zenite ESD takes about 145 MJ of energy and emits 7 kg of CO₂ — more than 83% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)145 MJ/kg62,339 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)7 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content0%

Manufacturability7

Zenite ESD's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 78% of polymer grades); weldability poor (15/100); formability not recommended (6/100).

MachinabilityFair45/100
WeldabilityPoor15/100
Formability (cold)Not recommended6/100
PolishabilityFair40/100
Mold Shrinkage0.1%
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)345°C653 °F
Mold Temperature (typ.)100°C212 °F

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

Working with Zenite ESD

Is Zenite easy to machine?

Machinable with sharp carbide/PCD tools and light feeds, but the skin fibrillates and edges fuzz; parts are normally molded net-shape rather than cut from stock.

Can Zenite be welded?

Weld/knit lines are the weak point — ultrasonic and vibration welding give low strength; prefer laser welding, adhesive-free snap fits or overmolding and place gates to avoid knit lines in loaded areas.

Can Zenite be formed, bent or molded?

Dry 4 h at 150 °C, melt 330–360 °C (high-heat series 355–390 °C), mold 60–140 °C, fast injection with generous venting; near-zero shrinkage and no hold-pressure sensitivity, but design for anisotropy and avoid thick-to-thin flow reversals.

What surface finishes work on Zenite?

Takes laser marking well; adhesion for painting/plating is poor without plasma or chemical etch — use mineral-filled or LDS-capable grades where metallization is required.

Zenite 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
4-hydroxybenzoic acid (HBA) unitsrigid aromatic ester backbone unit45 – 8060
4,4'-biphenol / hydroquinone unitsaromatic diol comonomer10 – 2820
terephthalic / isophthalic acid unitsaromatic diacid comonomer, ratio sets Tm10 – 2820
glass fiber0 % in default variant; 30–40 % in GF grades0 – 400
mineral filler (talc/mica/wollastonite)low-warpage grades only0 – 400
wholly aromatic polyester (LCP) matrixunfilled default grade; filled variants replace 30–50 wt % with glass, mineral or carbonbalance—

Zenite ESD — frequently asked

What is Zenite ESD used for?

Zenite ESD is typically used for automotive electrical connectors, LED reflectors, fiber optic ferrules and microwave/RF components. In short: low-warpage connector LCP; 220 C service temperature; chemically resistant LCP grade.

What is the tensile strength of Zenite ESD?

Zenite ESD has a typical tensile strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) — stronger than 94% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.

Is Zenite ESD easy to machine?

Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 78% of polymer grades). Machinable with sharp carbide/PCD tools and light feeds, but the skin fibrillates and edges fuzz; parts are normally molded net-shape rather than cut from stock.

Can Zenite ESD be welded?

Not readily — weldability is rated poor (15/100). Weld/knit lines are the weak point — ultrasonic and vibration welding give low strength; prefer laser welding, adhesive-free snap fits or overmolding and place gates to avoid knit lines in loaded areas.

What surface finishes work on Zenite ESD?

Takes laser marking well; adhesion for painting/plating is poor without plasma or chemical etch — use mineral-filled or LDS-capable grades where metallization is required.

Can Zenite ESD be formed, bent or molded?

Dry 4 h at 150 °C, melt 330–360 °C (high-heat series 355–390 °C), mold 60–140 °C, fast injection with generous venting; near-zero shrinkage and no hold-pressure sensitivity, but design for anisotropy and avoid thick-to-thin flow reversals.

What is the maximum service temperature of Zenite ESD?

Zenite ESD is rated for continuous use to about 230°C (446 °F), and briefly to 280°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

Sources

  1. Zenite LCP product and molding guide — DuPont / Celanese (2021)
  2. Vectra / Zenite LCP short-term property tables — Celanese (2023)
  3. CAMPUS plastics ISO datasheets — liquid crystal polymer — CAMPUS (2023)
  4. Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 2: Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
  5. ISO 527 / ISO 178 / ISO 75 / ASTM D256 test methods — ISO / ASTM (2019)

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.