🧩 PC+CF20 – Polycarbonate 20% Carbon Fiber Reinforced
(Premium technical material, reinforced with 20% carbon fiber. Offers very high mechanical strength, excellent rigidity, low weight, and superior thermal stability. Used in high-performance automotive parts.)
🔹 What is PC+CF20
PC+CF20 is a polycarbonate modified with 20% carbon fiber (CF), an advanced version of reinforced PC created for high structural performance.
Carbon fibers provide exceptional rigidity, increased thermal conductivity, and lower weight than the glass fiber version (PC+GF). The material has a deep, matte dark color and excellent resistance to vibration and mechanical fatigue, making it the choice for technical components and sports housings.
🔧 Composition
- Polycarbonate (PC): 75–80 %
- Carbon Fiber (CF): 20 %
- Thermal / UV Stabilizers: 1–3 %
- Density: 1.25–1.30 g/cm³
- Melting Point: ≈ 230–250 °C
- Mechanical Strength: Very high.
- UV Resistance: Good (carbon fibers absorb UV radiation).
🚗 Where PC+CF20 is used in the automotive industry
| Component | Example parts | Observations |
| Engine Bay | Covers, brackets, consoles | Extreme strength, thermal stability |
| Sport / Tuning | Frames, diffusers, body accents | Carbon-like look, matte technical finish |
| Premium Interior | Panels, frames, matte black inserts | Carbon aesthetic + high durability |
| Electronic Equip. | Housings, covers, heat sinks | Improved thermal dissipation |
🔧 Welding Temperature and Methods
| Method | Optimal Temperature | Observations |
| Hot Air | 280 – 310 °C | Uniform heating; dense material |
| Heat Plate (Mirror) | 270 – 300 °C | For flat joints and thick parts |
| Manual Extrusion | 270 – 300 °C | For cracks and structural consolidations |
🔩 What to Weld PC+CF20 With (Material Compatibility)
Carbon fibers modify conductivity and melting points, so compatibility is limited to similar technical blends.
✅ Compatible with:
- PC+CF20 ↔ PC / PC+CF / PC+ABS / PC+GF – good bond.
- PC+CF20 ↔ PC-FR / PC-HI / PC+PBT – partially compatible.
❌ Incompatible with:
- PP, PE, PA, PVC, PS, TPO, simple ABS – different melting points and shrinkage.
💡 ReplastMD Recommendation:
Use PC+CF20 or PC+ABS rods at 290–305 °C. Heating must be done slowly and controlled, as the material conducts heat efficiently. Slow cooling prevents internal stresses and cracks.
🏭 Manufacturers and Trade Names
- Covestro: Makrolon® CF20
- SABIC: Lexan® CF20
- LG Chem: LUPOY® CF20
- Trinseo: CALIBRE™ CF20
🧠 How to Identify PC+CF20
- Engraved marking: >PC+CF20<, >PC CF20<.
- Intense black color, matte, textured.
- Heavier than simple PC, but lighter than PC+GF30.
- Heat conductive (warms up quickly to the touch).
- Fine black fibers are visible at the cut.
🛠️ PC+CF20 Welding at ReplastMD:
At ReplastMD (Chisinau, Ciocana sector), we perform professional PC+CF20 welding for engine covers, consoles, and matte carbon-look parts, providing a rigid, uniform, and durable finish.