Machining Hp 2063

Phenolic paper laminates (Hp) belong to the industrial laminates: several layers of cellulose paper are impregnated with a thermosetting resin and pressed under heat and pressure into sheets or round bars. For Hp 2063 (PF-CP-204), the binding resin is a phenol-formaldehyde resin fitted with a flame-retardant system – within the PF-CP-201-to-206 family the only grade with this system. This gives the material a UL 94 V-0 flammability rating (self-extinguishing), and it is known worldwide primarily under the NEMA designation "FR-2" – the paper-based counterpart to the glass-fibre-reinforced "FR-4" (see HGW 2372.1). The colour is characteristically brown.

Hp 2063 machines well – sawing, milling, drilling and punching produce clean, dimensionally accurate results with sharp, carbide-tipped tools. Since fine, fibre-containing dust is generated during machining, we ensure adequate dust extraction. This allows us to manufacture precision blanks and formed parts from Hp 2063 sheets to customer drawings – from single items to series production, backed by our quality management system certified to DIN EN ISO 9001.

Hp 2063 is worthwhile whenever an economical, easily machinable electrical insulation material with proven flame retardancy is required – for example:

• PCB base material for simple applications requiring flame retardancy (FR-2 construction)
• Components in electrical and switchgear engineering requiring UL 94 V-0 fire protection
• Insulating parts where a limiting temperature of up to 90 °C is sufficient
• Economical alternative to higher-grade, glass-fibre-reinforced flame-retardant laminates
• Applications where electrical insulation and fire protection matter more than high continuous-use temperature

Hp 2063 is an engineering laminate; the price depends on the semi-finished shape (sheet, round bar), dimension, material utilisation (offcut), machining effort and lot size. The flame-retardant resin system results in a moderate price premium over the plain standard grade PF CP 201/Hp 2061, but the material remains significantly less expensive than glass-fibre-reinforced flame-retardant laminates such as HGW 2372.1 (FR-4). We are happy to quote binding prices on request based on your drawing.

Equally important are the limits of the material:

• Direct food contact – Hp 2063 is not declared suitable for this
• Applications with continuous-use temperatures above 90 °C – the non-flame-retardant PF-CP grades (limiting temperature 120 °C) are better suited here
• Applications with no flame-retardancy requirement, where the more economical standard grade PF CP 201/Hp 2061 is sufficient
• Highest electrical stress with increased test-voltage requirements – the electrically improved grade PF CP 202/Hp 2061.5 (up to 40 kV) is preferable here
• Applications with very high mechanical requirements – glass-fibre-reinforced laminates such as HGW 2372.1 are the better choice

An honest assessment – and how the disadvantages can be mitigated in practice: Advantages:

Disadvantages:

Practical tip: If only UL 94 V-0 flame retardancy is required and the operating temperature stays safely below 90 °C, Hp 2063 is usually the most economical solution. For higher operating temperatures without a fire-protection requirement, it is worth considering the standard grade PF CP 201/Hp 2061 with its 120 °C limiting temperature.

• Flame retardant per UL 94 V-0 (self-extinguishing)
• Good electrical insulating properties
• Economical standard material – the classic "FR-2"
• Good machinability (sawing, milling, drilling, punching)
• Proven, widely used PCB base material
• Not declared suitable for direct food contact
• Lower limiting temperature (90 °C) than the other grades in the family (120 °C)
• Some moisture absorption possible, causing slight changes in electrical properties
• Not designed for the highest mechanical stresses
• Inferior to the electrically improved grade at very high electrical test voltages