🧩 PBT+PC+GF20 – PBT + Polycarbonate 20% Glass Fiber
(Advanced technical composite material, resulting from the blend of PBT and Polycarbonate (PC), reinforced with 20% glass fiber. It offers a balance between PBT’s chemical resistance, PC’s toughness, and high dimensional stability from the glass fiber.)
🔹 What is PBT+PC+GF20
PBT+PC+GF20 is a variant of the reinforced PBT families where polycarbonate adds toughness and shock absorption, while glass fiber provides structural rigidity.
It is less brittle than PBT-GF30 but more stable and heat-resistant than PC+ABS. The material is commonly found in connector systems, automotive sensors, EGR covers, pumps, and technical elements subject to vibrations.
🔧 Composition
| Component | Typical Proportion | Role |
| PBT | 45–50 % | Chemical and thermal stability, base rigidity |
| Polycarbonate (PC) | 30–35 % | Hardness, impact resistance, electrical insulation |
| Glass Fiber (GF20) | 20 % | Mechanical reinforcement and dimensional stability |
| Additives | < 5 % | Thermal protection and stable color |
🚗 Where it is used in the automotive industry
| Component | Example parts | Observations |
| Sensor Housings | Bosch, Continental, Siemens units | Rigid, stable at 130–150 °C |
| Engine Bay Covers | EGR, valves, pumps | Chemically resistant |
| Rigid Interior | Console caps, lower structures | High mechanical strength |
| Electrical / Thermal | ECU housings, large connectors | Excellent dielectric, self-extinguishing |
🔩 What to Weld with (Material Compatibility)
- PBT+PC, Xenoy®, Valox® ✅ — Weldable (heat plate, ultrasonic).
- PBT+GF, PC+PBT+GF30 ⚠️ — Partially compatible (requires precise temperature control).
- PC+ABS, PBT-GF20, PC-GF ⚠️ — Limited weldability (melting point differences).
- PP, PE, PA, PVC, PET ❌ — Chemically and thermally incompatible.
🏭 Manufacturers and Trade Names
- SABIC: Xenoy® HTX / Xenoy® GF20
- DuPont: Crastin® PC/PBT GF20
- BASF: Ultradur® PC/PBT GF20
🧠 How to Identify
- Marking:
>PBT+PC+GF20<,>PBT/PC-GF20<,>Xenoy-GF20<. - Texture: Fine, rigid, slightly glossy, with fibers visible on broken edges.
- Density: ~1.36–1.42 g/cm³
- ReplastMD practical test: Self-extinguishing flame, faint ester scent (PBT), white-grey ash. Rigid and heat resistant, but slightly more elastic than PBT-GF30.
🛠️ Welding at ReplastMD:
- Heat Plate (Mirror): 250 – 270 °C (Recommended for a solid, uniform joint).
- Ultrasonic / Vibration: ✅ Ideal (For rigid housings and supports).
💡 ReplastMD Recommendation: Use PBT+PC rods or Xenoy® rods at 260–280 °C. Avoid overheating — the PC component becomes matte and brittle above 290 °C.