What is EP GC 201?
EP GC 201 (Hgw 2372 acc. to DIN 7735) is a glass-fabric-reinforced epoxy-resin laminate that offers significantly higher mechanical strength, lower water absorption and better electrical insulation values than cotton-fabric laminates. It is the mechanically/electrically high-performance standard grade within the glass-fabric laminate family, without the additional flame-retardant treatment of the FR-4 grade EP GC 202 (Hgw 2372.1).
Technical Data
| Property | Value | Test Standard |
|---|---|---|
| General Properties | ||
| Resistance to glow heat | 2a | DIN 53459 |
| Density | 1.83 g / cm³ | DIN 53479 |
| Water absorption (5 mm thickness) | 10 mg | DIN 53495 |
| Colour | light green | – |
| Mechanical Properties | ||
| Flexural strength | 500 (DIN 7735: 350) MPa | DIN 53452 |
| Tensile strength | 320 (DIN 7735: 220) MPa | DIN 53455 |
| Compressive strength | 350 (DIN 7735: 200) MPa | DIN 53454 |
| Impact strength | 150 (DIN 7735: 100) kJ / m² | DIN 53453 |
| Notched impact strength | 80 (DIN 7735: 50) kJ / m² | DIN 53453 |
| Bond strength (splitting force) | 4300 (DIN 7735: 3000) N | DIN 53463 |
| Modulus of elasticity | 21,000 (DIN 7735: 18,000) MPa | DIN 53452 |
| Thermal Properties | ||
| Limiting temperature | 130 °C | VDE 0304, T.21 |
| Thermal conductivity | 0.3 W / (m·K) | DIN 52612 |
| Coefficient of linear thermal expansion | 16 · 10⁻⁶ / K | VDE 0304 |
| Thermal class | B | VDE 0534 |
| Electrical Properties | ||
| Volume resistivity | 10¹² (DIN 7735: 5 · 10¹⁰) Ω | DIN 53482 |
| Electric strength ∥ / ⊥ | 80 / 65 (DIN 7735: 40 / 40) kV | DIN 53481 |
| Dielectric loss factor (1 MHz) | 0.03 (DIN 7735: 0.05) | DIN 53483 |
| Dielectric constant | 4.6 (DIN 7735: 5) | DIN 53483 |
| Comparative tracking index CTI | 320 (DIN 7735: 200) | IEC 112 |
| Electrolytic corrosion | AN 1.2 (DIN 7735: AN 1.4) | DIN 53489 |
EP GC 201 in detail
1What is EP GC 201?+
EP GC 201 to EN 60893 is a glass-fabric reinforced epoxy-resin laminate for high mechanical and electrical loads. It is technically identical to the material known in Germany under DIN 7735 as Hgw 2372, both designations refer to the same material, which is why we maintain both as separate pages. Typical characteristics are high strength, low water absorption and good electrical insulation values at a limiting temperature of 130 °C.
2How does Liedtke machine EP GC 201?+
We machine precision parts from sheets, round bars and tubes: sawing, milling, drilling and turning produce clean, dimensionally accurate results with sharp, carbide-tipped or diamond-coated tools. Since the glass fabric causes greater tool wear than with cotton-fabric laminates, we allow for this in tool selection and costing, and ensure adequate dust extraction.
3When should I choose EP GC 201?+
EP GC 201 is worthwhile whenever high mechanical strength must be combined with good electrical insulation, for example:
- High-strength insulating and partition panels in medium-voltage switchgear technology
- Mechanically highly loaded insulating parts in mechanical engineering
- Jig and fixture components with high electrical stress
- Power-transmission components requiring insulation
- Precision and test engineering requiring low water absorption
4What determines the price of an EP GC 201 part?+
The component price is determined mainly by sheet thickness, dimensions, material utilisation (offcuts), machining effort and batch size. Because glass fabric and epoxy resin require more material effort than cotton-fabric laminates, EP GC 201 is priced above them. We are happy to provide binding prices on request based on your drawing.
5When is EP GC 201 not the right choice?+
EP GC 201 is not declared for direct food contact. Where flame retardancy to UL 94 V-0 is required, EP GC 202 (Hgw 2372.1, FR-4) is the more suitable choice. If the strength of a cotton-fabric laminate is sufficient, a more economical grade such as Hgw 2082/2083 makes more sense, and for continuous use well above 130 °C a different laminate is preferable.
6Advantages and disadvantages of EP GC 201+
An honest assessment, and how the disadvantages can be mitigated in practice:
- Advantage: High mechanical strength
- Advantage: Good electrical insulation properties
- Advantage: Low water absorption
- Advantage: High tracking resistance (CTI up to 320)
- Advantage: Good machinability
- Disadvantage: Not declared for direct food contact
- Disadvantage: Not flame-retardant treated – for UL 94 V-0, choose EP GC 202 (Hgw 2372.1)
- Disadvantage: Higher tool wear during machining (glass fabric)
- Disadvantage: Higher price than cotton-fabric laminates
- Disadvantage: Continuous use limited to about 130 °C
- Practical tip: EP GC 201 is the right choice when high strength, low water absorption and good electrical insulation are required but flame-retardant treatment is not needed. If UL 94 V-0 is required, EP GC 202 (Hgw 2372.1) is the right choice; if the strength of a cotton-fabric laminate is sufficient, a Hgw 2082/2083 grade is the more economical choice.
Typical Properties
- High mechanical strength
- Good electrical insulation properties
- Low water absorption
- Thermoset laminate (dimensionally stable)
- Good machinability
- Colour light green
Typical Industries
- Electrical engineering and switchgear construction (medium voltage)
- Mechanical and plant engineering (high-strength insulating parts)
- Jig, fixture and tool making
- Power transmission engineering
- Test and measurement engineering
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