What is EP GC 202?
EP GC 202 (Hgw 2372.1 acc. to DIN 7735) is known worldwide primarily under the name "FR-4" – the standard material of the PCB industry. As a glass-fabric laminate with epoxy resin, EP GC 202 combines very high mechanical strength, low water absorption and self-extinguishing fire behaviour (UL 94 V-0).
Technical Data
| Property | Value | Test Standard |
|---|---|---|
| General Properties | ||
| Density | 1.7-1.9 g / cm³ | DIN 53479 |
| Water absorption (5 mm thickness) | 30 mg | DIN 53495 |
| Resistance to glow heat | 2a | DIN 53459 |
| Flammability | V-0 | UL 94 |
| Colour | light green | – |
| Mechanical Properties | ||
| Flexural strength | 500 (DIN 7735: 350) MPa | DIN 53452 |
| Tensile strength | 350 (DIN 7735: 220) MPa | DIN 53455 |
| Compressive strength | 330 (DIN 7735: 200) MPa | DIN 53454 |
| Impact strength | 150 (DIN 7735: 100) kJ / m² | DIN 53453 |
| Notched impact strength | 78 (DIN 7735: 50) kJ / m² | DIN 53453 |
| Bond strength (splitting force) | 4400 (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 | 10-20 · 10⁻⁶ / K | VDE 0304 |
| Thermal class | B | VDE 0534 |
| Electrical Properties | ||
| Surface resistivity | 5 · 10¹² (DIN 7735: 5 · 10¹⁰) Ω | DIN 53482 |
| Electric strength ∥ / ⊥ | 75 / 60 (DIN 7735: 40 / 40) kV | DIN 53481 |
| Dielectric loss factor | 0.02 (DIN 7735: 0.05) | DIN 53483 |
| Dielectric constant | 4.6 (DIN 7735: 5) | DIN 53483 |
| Comparative tracking index CTI | 220 (DIN 7735: 200) | IEC 60112 |
| Electrolytic corrosion | AN 1.2 (DIN 7735: AN 1.4) | DIN 53489 |
EP GC 202 in detail
1What is EP GC 202?+
EP GC 202 to EN 60893 is a glass-fabric reinforced, flame-retardant epoxy-resin laminate, designated Hgw 2372.1 under German DIN 7735 and known worldwide primarily as FR-4. All three names refer to the same material, which is why we maintain it as separate pages under EP GC 202 and Hgw 2372.1. It combines very high mechanical strength, low water absorption and self-extinguishing fire behaviour to UL 94 V-0.
2How does Liedtke machine EP GC 202?+
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. We allow for the increased tool wear caused by the glass fabric and ensure adequate dust extraction during machining.
3When should I choose EP GC 202?+
EP GC 202 is worthwhile whenever high mechanical strength must be combined with good electrical insulation and flame retardancy, for example:
- PCB substrate and electronics manufacturing (FR-4)
- High-strength insulating and partition panels in medium-voltage switchgear technology
- Components requiring flame retardancy (UL 94 V-0), e.g. in aerospace and rail technology
- Mechanically highly loaded insulating parts in mechanical engineering
- Precision and test engineering requiring low water absorption
4What determines the price of an EP GC 202 part?+
The component price is determined mainly by sheet thickness, dimensions, material utilisation, machining effort and batch size. Because glass fabric, epoxy resin and the flame-retardant treatment require more material effort than cotton-fabric laminates, EP GC 202 is priced above them. We are happy to provide binding prices on request based on your drawing.
5When is EP GC 202 not the right choice?+
EP GC 202 is not declared for direct food contact. If the strength of a cotton-fabric laminate is sufficient and no flame retardancy is required, a more economical grade such as Hgw 2082/2083 makes more sense. For continuous use well above 130 °C a silicone-resin laminate is more suitable, and for very high medium-voltage requirements the tracking resistance (CTI 200-220) may reach its limits.
6Advantages and disadvantages of EP GC 202+
An honest assessment, and how the disadvantages can be mitigated in practice:
- Advantage: Very high mechanical strength
- Advantage: Low water absorption
- Advantage: Flame-retardant (UL 94 V-0)
- Advantage: Very good electrical insulation properties
- Advantage: World-standard material (FR-4)
- Disadvantage: Not declared for direct food contact
- Disadvantage: Higher tool wear during machining (glass fabric)
- Disadvantage: Higher price than cotton-fabric laminates
- Disadvantage: Continuous use limited to about 130 °C
- Disadvantage: Tracking resistance (CTI 200-220) may be insufficient for very high medium-voltage requirements
- Practical tip: EP GC 202 is the right choice when high strength, low water absorption and flame retardancy are required – for example for PCB substrates or highly loaded insulating parts. If the strength of a cotton-fabric laminate is sufficient, a Hgw 2082/2083 grade is the more economical choice; for very high temperature requirements, a silicone-resin laminate is more suitable.
Typical Properties
- Very high mechanical strength
- Low water absorption
- Flame-retardant (UL 94 V-0)
- Very good electrical insulation properties
- Thermoset, dimensionally stable
- Colour light green
Typical Industries
- PCB substrate and electronics manufacturing
- Electrical engineering and switchgear construction (medium voltage)
- Mechanical and plant engineering
- Aerospace and rail technology
- Test and measurement engineering
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