Overview
EP GC 202 to EN 60893 is the internationally standardised designation for the material known in Germany as Hgw 2372.1 to DIN 7735, and worldwide primarily under the name FR-4, the standard material of the printed circuit board industry. All three designations refer to the same glass-fabric reinforced, flame-retardant epoxy-resin laminate; at Liedtke Kunststofftechnik you will therefore find it as a standalone page under both EP GC 202 and Hgw 2372.1.
Like EP GC 201, EP GC 202 is produced by pressing epoxy-resin-impregnated glass-fabric layers into sheets, round bars or tubes, but with an additional flame-retardant treatment that achieves self-extinguishing fire behaviour to UL 94 V-0. Besides electronics manufacturing as a PCB substrate, the material is also used as a standalone mechanical and electrical engineering material wherever high strength, good electrical insulation and flame retardancy are required.
Typical values include a flexural strength around 500 MPa, tensile strength around 350 MPa and compressive strength around 330 MPa, with a modulus of elasticity around 21,000 MPa and a density of 1.7-1.9 g/cm³. Electrically, the material offers a tracking resistance of CTI 200-220 and very good dielectric strength; the limiting temperature for continuous use is 130 °C (thermal class B).
EP GC 202 is used primarily as a PCB substrate, for high-strength insulating and partition panels in medium-voltage technology, and for flame-retardant components in aerospace and rail technology. If the strength of a cotton-fabric laminate is sufficient, a Hgw 2082/2083 grade is more economical; EP GC 202 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 | 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 | – |
Frequently Asked Questions about EP GC 202
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.
3What 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.
4When 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.
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