LCP · reinforced grade · default condition
LCP-GF30
Properties of the GF30 condition, compared with the other LCP grades.
Default workhorse: best balance of stiffness, 230 °C HDT, reflow survival and cost for connectors, sockets and thin-wall electronic parts.
What is LCP-GF30?
LCP-GF30 is LCP in the GF30 grade — default workhorse: best balance of stiffness, 230 °C HDT, reflow survival and cost for connectors, sockets and thin-wall electronic parts. LCP-GF30 has a tensile strength of 190 MPa (27.6 ksi), stronger than 98% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 15 GPa (2.18 Msi). LCP-GF30 has a density of 1.61 g/cm³ (0.0582 lb/in³), heavier than 92% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 110°C (230 °F).
Advantages
- Low, predictable mold shrinkage — 0.1%, better than 99% of polymer grades
- Stiff — 15 GPa (2.18 Msi), better than 98% of polymer grades
- Conducts heat well — 0.4 W/m·K (0.231 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 93% of polymer grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 92/100, better than 91% of polymer grades
- High service temperature — 220°C (428 °F), better than 89% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 2%, worse than 94% of polymer grades
- Heavy — 1.61 g/cm³ (0.0582 lb/in³), worse than 92% of polymer grades
- High embodied carbon — 9 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 88% of polymer grades
- Limited formability — 10/100, worse than 87% of polymer grades
- Hard to polish — 30/100, worse than 80% of polymer grades
LCP-GF30 properties
Typical room-temperature values for LCP-GF30 — 15 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every LCP grade. Each bar shows where the value sits among the polymer grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical5
LCP-GF30 has a density of 1.61 g/cm³ (0.0582 lb/in³), heavier than 92% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 110°C (230 °F).
Mechanical11
LCP-GF30 has a tensile strength of 190 MPa (27.6 ksi), stronger than 98% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 15 GPa (2.18 Msi).
Thermal10
LCP-GF30 is rated for continuous service to 220°C (428 °F). It conducts heat at 0.4 W/m·K (0.231 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 93% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
LCP-GF30 is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 35 kV/mm (889 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹³ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (92/100), better than 91% of polymer grades. UV resistance is good.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of LCP-GF30 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 9 kg of CO₂ — more than 89% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability7
LCP-GF30's machinability is fair (50/100, worse than 73% of polymer grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability not recommended (10/100).
Common Calculations4
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other LCP grades and fills
LCP is also supplied in 10 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the LCP overview.
- GF30DefaultDefault workhorse: best balance of stiffness, 230 °C HDT, reflow survival and cost for connectors, sockets and thin-wall electronic parts.190 MPa tensile
- GF40Choose for maximum stiffness, highest HDT and lowest flow-direction CTE where warpage/anisotropy can be tolerated.200 MPa tensile
- CF30Use for highest specific stiffness, lower density than glass, static-dissipative/conductive behaviour and improved heat conduction.195 MPa tensile
- UnfilledPick when maximum flow in ultra-thin walls, best dielectric loss and highest tear/impact in the flow direction matter more than stiffness or isotropy.180 MPa tensile
- GF15Compromise grade when some stiffness and HDT gain is wanted but thin-wall flow and weld-line integrity must stay close to unfilled.165 MPa tensile
- ESDPick for chip trays, test sockets and handling tooling that must dissipate charge at high temperature.150 MPa tensile
- HTChoose when parts must survive lead-free reflow with large metal inserts or continuous service above 240 °C; needs hotter barrel and mold.140 MPa tensile
- GF-MINBest all-round choice for dimensionally critical molded parts: near-isotropic shrinkage with most of the GF stiffness and heat resistance.130 MPa tensile
- Mineral FilledPick for lower/more isotropic shrinkage and warpage, better surface finish and laser markability where high strength is not required.110 MPa tensile
- WEARUse for small high-temperature bushings, thrust washers and sliding parts needing low friction with dimensional stability.110 MPa tensile
Working with LCP-GF30
Is LCP easy to machine?
Machinable with sharp carbide or PCD tools at high speed and light feed, but the skin-core fiber structure chips and delaminates at edges — design to net shape by molding wherever possible.
Can LCP be welded?
Ultrasonic and vibration welding are unreliable (weak weld/knit lines); use laser welding, heat staking, adhesives with plasma pretreatment, or mechanical joints.
Can LCP be formed, bent or molded?
Dry to <0.02% moisture (140 °C, 3–4 h), melt 300–350 °C, mold 60–130 °C, very fast injection with generously vented tools; gate to control fiber/molecule orientation because weld lines and transverse shrinkage govern part strength.
What surface finishes work on LCP?
Molded surfaces are matte and paint/print adhesion is poor without plasma or primer; laser marking works well on mineral- and black-pigmented grades; can be selectively metallized (LDS/electroless) on grades formulated for plating.
LCP 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 |
|---|---|---|
| glass fiberchopped E-glass, sized for polyester matrix (default GF30 variant) | 28 – 32 | 30 |
| pigments / processing aidscarbon black or TiO2, release agent | 0 – 2 | 0.5 |
| aromatic copolyester (LCP: p-hydroxybenzwholly aromatic thermotropic polyester backbone | balance | — |
LCP-GF30 — frequently asked
What is LCP-GF30 used for?
LCP-GF30 is typically used for micro connectors, FPC/FFC connector housings, SMT components exposed to reflow, 5G antenna carriers and RF supports, test and burn-in sockets and precision thin-wall electronic parts. In short: liquid-crystal high heat.
What is the tensile strength of LCP-GF30?
LCP-GF30 has a typical tensile strength of 190 MPa (27.6 ksi) — stronger than 98% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 11 listed tempers.
Is LCP-GF30 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (50/100, worse than 73% of polymer grades). Machinable with sharp carbide or PCD tools at high speed and light feed, but the skin-core fiber structure chips and delaminates at edges — design to net shape by molding wherever possible.
Can LCP-GF30 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Ultrasonic and vibration welding are unreliable (weak weld/knit lines); use laser welding, heat staking, adhesives with plasma pretreatment, or mechanical joints.
What surface finishes work on LCP-GF30?
Molded surfaces are matte and paint/print adhesion is poor without plasma or primer; laser marking works well on mineral- and black-pigmented grades; can be selectively metallized (LDS/electroless) on grades formulated for plating.
Can LCP-GF30 be formed, bent or molded?
Dry to <0.02% moisture (140 °C, 3–4 h), melt 300–350 °C, mold 60–130 °C, very fast injection with generously vented tools; gate to control fiber/molecule orientation because weld lines and transverse shrinkage govern part strength.
What is the maximum service temperature of LCP-GF30?
LCP-GF30 is rated for continuous use to about 220°C (428 °F), and briefly to 280°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in LCP-GF30?
Yes — LCP-GF30 is available for injection molding with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- Vectra LCP product and processing guide — Celanese (2023)
- Zenite LCP resin datasheets — Celanese (formerly DuPont) (2022)
- Sumikasuper LCP grade list — Sumitomo Chemical (2023)
- Xydar LCP technical data — Syensqo (Solvay) (2023)
- CAMPUS plastics ISO datasheets — LCP GF30/GF40 — CWFG / CAMPUS (2024)
- Engineering Plastics Handbook — liquid crystal polymers chapter — McGraw-Hill (2006)
- ISO 527 / ISO 178 / ISO 75 test methods; UL 94 flammability — ISO / UL (2020)
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.