Overview
EP GC 201 to EN 60893 is the internationally standardised designation for the material traditionally known in Germany as Hgw 2372 to DIN 7735. Both designations describe exactly the same glass-fabric reinforced epoxy-resin laminate; at Liedtke Kunststofftechnik you will therefore find it under both names as a standalone page, since customers search for it differently depending on the origin of their drawing or the standard referenced. Technically, it is a thermoset laminate in which layers of glass fabric are impregnated with epoxy resin and pressed under heat and pressure into sheets, round bars or tubes.
Compared with cotton-fabric laminates such as Hgw 2082/2083, the glass-fabric reinforcement gives EP GC 201 significantly higher mechanical strength, lower water absorption and better electrical insulation values, though at a higher price and with greater tool wear during machining. Within the glass-fabric laminate family, EP GC 201 is the mechanically and electrically high-performance standard grade, without the additional flame-retardant treatment of the FR-4 grade EP GC 202 (Hgw 2372.1).
Typical values include a flexural strength around 500 MPa, tensile strength around 320 MPa and compressive strength around 350 MPa, with a modulus of elasticity around 21,000 MPa and a density of 1.83 g/cm³. Electrically, the material offers high tracking resistance (CTI up to 320) and good dielectric strength values; the limiting temperature for continuous use is 130 °C (thermal class B).
EP GC 201 is used primarily for high-strength insulating and partition panels in medium-voltage switchgear technology, for mechanically highly loaded insulating parts in mechanical engineering, and for jig, fixture, tool and drive-technology components under electrical stress. Where flame retardancy to UL 94 V-0 is required, we recommend EP GC 202 (Hgw 2372.1) instead; EP GC 201 is not declared for direct food contact.
Technical Data
| Property | Value | Test Standard |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 | – |
Frequently Asked Questions about EP GC 201
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.
3What 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.
4When 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.
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