Flame-Retardant PC is a polycarbonate material formulated for molded components that require a defined level of fire resistance while retaining the impact strength, heat resistance, and dimensional stability of PC. Depending on the grade, it may also provide transparency, halogen-free flame retardancy, or glass-fiber reinforcement for specific applications.
Nianjing is a plastic raw material trading and sourcing company based in China Plastics City, Yuyao. The company sources polycarbonate grades from producers such as Covestro, Wanhua Chemical, Chi Mei, and Juseilon according to the required manufacturer, grade, flame classification, color, reinforcement, quantity, and destination.
Flame performance should be evaluated together with the actual wall thickness and end-use requirements. UL 94 classifications are based on defined test conditions, so a V-0 rating at one specimen thickness should not automatically be applied to a thinner molded part.
Key factors for grade selection include:
| Requirement | What to Check |
| Flame classification | UL 94 rating required for the application |
| Part thickness | Tested thickness corresponding to the required rating |
| Transparency | Light transmission and haze for transparent parts |
| Halogen status | Whether the specification requires a halogen-free formulation |
| Impact performance | Toughness after flame-retardant modification |
| Heat resistance | HDT, Vicat, or other specified temperature requirements |
| Reinforcement | Glass-fiber content when additional stiffness is needed |
| Compliance | Applicable customer, industry, or market requirements |
For regulated applications, the selected grade should be verified against the producer's current TDS and relevant test documentation.
Flame-retardant polycarbonate is available in different formulations to meet different performance requirements.
These grades combine flame performance with light transmission and are used for selected lighting, electrical, and protective components where appearance is important.
Used when a project specification restricts certain halogenated flame-retardant systems. The exact formulation and restricted-substance status should be confirmed from the producer's documentation.
Glass fiber increases stiffness and can improve dimensional performance, while also changing density, flow, surface appearance, and impact behavior. These materials are generally selected for rigid or structural components rather than transparent parts.
Used for electrical housings, connectors, switches, appliance components, and other molded parts that require a specified flammability classification.
Nianjing can check specified grades from established polycarbonate producers. The following examples represent different material options; current specifications and availability should be confirmed before purchasing.
| Producer | Grade | General Description |
| Covestro | Makrolon® 6487 | Flame-retardant PC for injection-molded electrical applications |
| Covestro | Makrolon® 2865 | Transparent flame-retardant PC for selected applications |
| Covestro | Makrolon® 6557 | Flame-retardant PC with a defined UL 94 classification |
| Wanhua Chemical | Clarnate® FR3730T / FR3730H | Halogen-free flame-retardant PC for selected electrical, lighting, and optical applications |
| Chi Mei | PC-6715VT | Transparent flame-retardant PC for applications requiring appearance and fire performance |
| Juseilon | PC2370G10 / PC2370G20 | 10% / 20% glass-fiber reinforced PC for rigid components |
The exact flame classification, test thickness, MFR, impact properties, heat resistance, optical performance, and regulatory status are grade-specific and should be checked against the latest producer documentation.
Charger housings, adapter housings, terminal blocks, relay components, switch parts, and electrical enclosures may use flame-retardant polycarbonate where a specified UL 94 classification is required.
Transparent grades can be considered for selected LED covers, protective covers, and other components where light transmission and flame performance are both relevant. Optical requirements such as haze and transmittance should be evaluated separately.
Selected grades may be used in interior, electrical, lighting, and other non-structural components subject to the relevant temperature and flammability requirements. For rail applications, compliance with standards such as EN 45545-2 must be confirmed for the specific grade and application.
Housings, covers, control components, and other injection-molded parts may require flame-retardant resin when electrical safety or fire performance forms part of the product specification.
Unlike unmodified PC, flame-retardant formulations can differ substantially in mechanical, thermal, optical, and processing behavior. For this reason, material selection should be based on the specific grade rather than a generic property range.
| Property | Relevance |
| UL 94 rating | Defines the tested flammability classification |
| Test thickness | Confirms whether the rating applies to the intended wall thickness |
| MFR | Helps evaluate flow and molding behavior |
| Notched Izod impact | Indicates toughness of the selected formulation |
| HDT / Vicat | Relevant to temperature resistance |
| Density | Useful for part weight and material calculations |
| Light transmittance | Important for transparent grades |
| Glass-fiber content | Defines reinforcement level |
| Regulatory documentation | Supports customer and market qualification |
If a customer specifies a particular grade, Nianjing can check the corresponding technical documentation before the material is ordered.
Polycarbonate is moisture-sensitive and normally requires proper drying before injection molding. Many PC grades use drying conditions around 120°C for several hours, but the exact temperature, duration, and moisture limit depend on the producer's processing recommendations.
Other conditions, including melt temperature, mold temperature, injection speed, pressure, screw speed, and residence time, should also be adjusted according to the selected grade, part geometry, mold design, and molding equipment.
Insufficient drying may result in silver streaks, bubbles, surface defects, or material degradation. Excessive processing temperature or residence time can also affect color and mechanical performance.
For production, the grade-specific processing guide should take precedence over general reference conditions.
Flammability qualification is only one part of material approval. Depending on the application and destination market, customers may require:
Compliance should be confirmed for the exact grade rather than inferred from the general material category.
Where documentation is required with an order, the requirements should be specified before purchasing so the corresponding supply option can be checked.
For customers sourcing Flame-Retardant PC, Nianjing can check materials according to the actual specification rather than treating all flame-retardant grades as interchangeable.
Useful information for sourcing includes:
| Requirement | Information |
| Manufacturer | Preferred producer, if specified |
| Grade | Exact grade or required performance |
| Flame rating | UL 94 classification |
| Part thickness | Required molded or test thickness |
| Color | Natural, transparent, black, white, or other |
| Reinforcement | Unfilled or glass-fiber reinforced |
| Application | Electrical, lighting, appliance, automotive, etc. |
| Quantity | Required order quantity |
| Destination | Country or port |
If the exact grade has not been selected, the application, processing method, required flame rating, part thickness, and other performance requirements can be used to narrow the available options.
A: The flame-retardant formulation is designed to meet a defined flammability requirement while retaining the required mechanical and thermal performance of polycarbonate. The modification can affect flow, impact strength, transparency, and other properties, so the grade needs to be selected according to the application.
A: No. UL 94 classifications are based on defined test conditions and specimen thicknesses. A V-0 result at 1.5 mm should not automatically be applied to a thinner molded section.
A: Yes. Some grades combine flame performance with light transmission. Their transmittance, haze, color, and flame classification should be verified from the specific producer's technical data.
A: Yes. Reinforced grades such as 10% and 20% glass-fiber formulations are available for applications requiring greater stiffness or dimensional performance. They are generally unsuitable where high transparency is required.
A: Yes. Polycarbonate should normally be dried before processing because absorbed moisture can cause surface defects and degradation. The exact drying conditions should follow the selected grade's processing recommendations.
A: Yes. Customers can provide the producer, grade, required flame classification, quantity, and destination. Nianjing can check the corresponding sourcing and supply conditions.
A: The manufacturer or grade, required UL 94 classification, part thickness, color, reinforcement level, quantity, application, and destination are useful starting points. If the grade is unknown, the intended application and processing requirements can be provided instead.
General-Purpose PC
PC/ABS
Glass-Fiber Reinforced PC
Optical PC
Provide the required producer or grade, flame classification, part thickness, quantity, and destination. Nianjing can check the applicable material documentation and current sourcing conditions.
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