🧩 PC+GF20 – Polycarbonate 20% Glass Fiber Reinforced
(Reinforced technical material, extremely rigid and dimensionally stable. Offers excellent resistance to deformation, high temperatures, and impact. Ideal for structural automotive parts requiring maximum durability.)
🔹 What is PC+GF20
PC+GF20 is a polycarbonate reinforced with 20% glass fiber, designed to significantly improve rigidity, thermal resistance, and dimensional stability.
The addition of glass fibers reduces shrinkage, increases hardness, and makes the material much more resistant to mechanical fatigue. It is heavier and more rigid than standard PC and less transparent. It is used in technical parts, engine housings, brackets, and elements that must withstand shocks, heat, and vibrations.
🔧 Composition
- Polycarbonate (PC): 75–80 %
- Glass Fiber (GF): 20 %
- Thermal / UV Stabilizers: 1–3 %
- Density: 1.35–1.40 g/cm³
- Melting Point: ≈ 230–250 °C
- Mechanical Strength: Excellent.
- Chemical Resistance: Good (mild solvents, oils, fuels).
🚗 Where PC+GF20 is used in the automotive industry
| Component | Example parts | Observations |
| Technical Supports | Headlight mounts, housings, structural fasteners | Extremely rigid, no heat deformation |
| Engine Bay | Covers, consoles, brackets | Oil and vibration resistant |
| Car Interior | Mechanism housings, fixing supports | No deformation under thermal pressure |
| Body Exterior | Mirror bases, mounts, housings | High hardness, matte finish |
🔧 Welding Temperature and Methods
| Method | Optimal Temperature | Observations |
| Hot Air | 280 – 320 °C | Requires uniform heating; difficult to weld |
| Heat Plate (Mirror) | 270 – 300 °C | Efficient for thick and technical parts |
| Manual Extrusion | 270 – 300 °C | Used for cracks and reinforcements |
🔩 What to Weld PC+GF20 With (Material Compatibility)
Due to the glass fiber, PC+GF20 has a different melting profile than simple PC and requires attention to compatibility.
✅ Compatible with:
- PC+GF20 ↔ PC / PC+GF / PC+ABS / PC+PBT – good bond.
- PC+GF20 ↔ PC-FR / PC-HI – partially compatible.
❌ Incompatible with:
- PP, PE, PA, PVC, PS, TPO, simple ABS – poor adhesion, shrinkage differences.
💡 ReplastMD Recommendation:
Use PC+GF20 or PC+ABS rods at 290–310 °C. Uniformly preheat the part to avoid cracking. Finally, cool slowly — the material tends to develop internal stresses if cooled rapidly.
🏭 Manufacturers and Trade Names
- Covestro: Makrolon® GF20
- SABIC: Lexan® 3412R / EXL GF20
- LG Chem: LUPOY® GF20
- Trinseo: CALIBRE™ GF20
🧠 How to Identify PC+GF20
- Engraved marking: >PC+GF20<, >PC GF20<, >Makrolon GF20<.
- Matte or slightly textured appearance, grey-black.
- Feels heavier and more rigid than simple PC.
- Yellow-blue flame, melts slowly.
- Not transparent; fine white fibers are visible at the cut.
🛠️ PC+GF20 Welding at ReplastMD:
At ReplastMD (Chisinau, Ciocana sector), we perform professional PC+GF20 welding for headlight mounts and technical covers, ensuring a solid, stable, and vibration-resistant repair.