| HS Code | 373568 |
| Material Type | Polylactic Acid (PLA) |
| Reinforcement Type | Short Fiber |
| Reinforcement Content | 30% |
| Processing Method | Injection Molding |
| Density | 1.42 g/cm³ |
| Melt Flow Rate | 10 g/10 min (190°C/2.16 kg) |
| Tensile Strength At Break | 85 MPa |
| Tensile Elongation At Break | 2.5% |
| Tensile Modulus | 8000 MPa |
| Flexural Modulus | 7500 MPa |
| Flexural Strength | 130 MPa |
| Notched Izod Impact Strength | 55 J/m |
| Unnotched Izod Impact Strength | 300 J/m |
| Heat Deflection Temperature At 1 8 Mpa | 140 °C |
| Heat Deflection Temperature At 0 45 Mpa | 155 °C |
| Vicat Softening Point | 150 °C |
| Mold Shrinkage Flow | 0.2% |
| Mold Shrinkage Cross Flow | 0.4% |
| Water Absorption | 0.2% |
| Processing Melt Temperature | 190-220 °C |
| Mold Temperature | 25-60 °C |
| Drying Temperature | 80 °C |
| Drying Time | 4 h |
As an accredited FC 10130 Short Fiber Reinforced Injection Molding Polylactic Acid factory, we enforce strict quality protocols—every batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistent efficacy and safety standards.
| Packing | FC 10130 Short Fiber Reinforced Injection Molding Polylactic Acid supplied in 25 kg moisture-proof paper bags, palletized for industrial shipping. |
| Container Loading (20′ FCL) | FC 10130 Short Fiber Reinforced Injection Molding Polylactic Acid is palletized and securely loaded into a 20′ FCL container for shipment. |
| Shipping | FC 10130 Short Fiber Reinforced Injection Molding Polylactic Acid is typically shipped as non-hazardous, moisture-sensitive polymer pellets in sealed, lined bags or drums. It is not classified as dangerous goods for transport. Store cool, dry, away from heat and moisture. Protect packaging from rupture and contamination during handling and follow local regulations. |
| Storage | Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight, heat, ignition sources, and strong oxidizers. Keep original containers tightly sealed to prevent moisture absorption, which can degrade polylactic acid. Avoid dust generation and static discharge. Maintain ambient temperature, ideal below 30°C, with low humidity. Use clean, dry handling equipment and follow local regulations for combustible organic polymer powders/pellets. |
| Shelf Life | Shelf life typically 12 months when stored unopened in a cool, dry place, protected from moisture, heat, and direct sunlight. |
Injection molding of FC 10130 short-fiber-reinforced polylactic acid into automotive interior trim components is driven by dimensional stability targets that unfilled PLA cannot meet after solar load exposure. The material is pre-dried at 80 °C for 4 h to a residual moisture content below 250 ppm as verified by ISO 15512:2019. Barrel zones at feed, compression, and metering sections are held at 165–175 °C, 180–190 °C, and 185–195 °C, with nozzle temperature not exceeding 200 °C. A mold temperature of 20–30 °C is maintained through turbulent-flow water channels; higher mold temperatures slow the cycle beyond practical interior-trim takt times. Injection pressure between 85–110 MPa and screw back pressure of 0.5–1.0 MPa maintain fiber dispersion without excessive fiber fragmentation. Gates are not less than 2.5 mm in diameter to limit shear heating at the gate entrance; vents are cut to 0.02–0.03 mm depth at the flow front extremes. Shrinkage anisotropy measured on a 2 mm plaque according to ISO 294-4:2018 is 0.3–0.5% in the flow direction and 0.7–1.0% transverse, which drives gate placement decisions in clip features. Compliance for occupant-facing interior parts normally starts with flammability testing to ISO 3795 or FMVSS 302, with a maximum burn rate of 100 mm/min on 100 mm exposed length specimens. Automotive OEM odor protocols equivalent to VDA 270 grade not exceeding 3 are applied. Terminal parts include A-pillar trim clips, door panel locating pins, seat belt guide covers, and wiring harness retainers. Continuous service is limited to locations below 65 °C air temperature; short-fiber reinforcement raises HDT by 8–15 °C relative to unfilled PLA, but hydrolysis at 60 °C / 85% RH can reduce tensile strength by 15–30% after 1000 h in published accelerated aging studies. Published data for this specific grade is limited and should be confirmed against supplier certificates before PPAP documentation.
| Property | Unfilled PLA | Short-fiber PLA | Test method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile modulus | 3.1–3.5 GPa | 4.2–5.8 GPa | ISO 527-2:2012 |
| Flexural modulus | 3.0–3.4 GPa | 4.5–6.0 GPa | ISO 178:2019 |
| Notched Charpy impact | 2.0–3.0 kJ/m² | 3.5–6.5 kJ/m² | ISO 179-1/1eA:2010 |
| HDT at 1.8 MPa | 50–55 °C | 58–65 °C | ISO 75-2/A:2013 |
Before tooling is cut, the material is screened for cytotoxicity according to ISO 10993-5:2009 using an L929 mouse fibroblast cell line; a cell viability below 70% of blank control triggers rejection even if mechanical data are acceptable. Skin sensitization is assessed under ISO 10993-10:2010, and intradermal irritation may be required for prolonged skin-contact surfaces. Because the grade contains short fiber, particulate release after wear or fracture is a process risk; medical device manufacturers therefore specify dedicated molding cells with melt filtration screens no larger than 200 µm to minimize agglomerated fiber bundles. Processing in an ISO 13485:2016 cleanroom is normal for handheld diagnostic device housings. Mold surfaces are polished to SPI A2 or A3 to reduce bioburden traps. No external mold release agents are used, and the screw and barrel are dedicated or purged with medical-grade acrylic to avoid cross-contamination. Barrel temperature is kept at 170–190 °C to limit lactide generation. Post-molding annealing at 55–65 °C for 2 h in a dry-air oven reduces residual lactide and dimensional drift. Sterilization compatibility is a controlling boundary: gamma irradiation at 25 kGy embrittles PLA through chain scission unless specific stabilizers are present, and steam at 121 °C exceeds HDT and causes gross deformation. Ethylene oxide is the most compatible validated terminal sterilization method, with aeration and residue limits per ISO 10993-7:2008. Terminal parts include ultrasonic diagnostic probe housings, battery-operated infusion pump covers, and single-use biopsy handle shells. The material is not specified for invasive long-term implants or load-bearing orthopedic use. Published data for FC 10130 in a full ISO 10993 test battery is limited; each production lot should be tested under a change-control protocol.
| Standard | Test | Criterion |
|---|---|---|
| ISO 10993-5:2009 | Cytotoxicity | L929 viability ≥ 70% |
| ISO 10993-10:2010 | Skin sensitization | No erythema/oedema > 1 |
| ISO 10993-7:2008 | EO residue | Per device category |
| ISO 15512:2019 | Residual moisture | ≤ 250 ppm before molding |
| ISO 1133-1:2022 | MFR process verification | Within ± 15% of supplier certificate |
A 1.2 mm wall section in a consumer electronics enclosure changes dimensional behavior when fiber orientation is skewed by a single edge gate; symmetric fan gates or diaphragm gates are used for circular speaker grilles and bezel features. Electrical and fire safety testing under IEC 62368-1:2023 for audio/video and information technology equipment determines the enclosure class. Unmodified PLA is generally rated UL 94 HB; short-fiber PLA without flame retardants does not reach UL 94 V-2 or V-0 at 1.5 mm thickness in most published data. Adding 15–20 wt% halogen-free intumescent flame retardant packages can raise the rating but reduces impact toughness and biobased content. The grade is therefore used in low-power battery accessories and portable diagnostic devices, not mains-powered equipment with internal dissipation above 15 W unless an internal metal subframe is used. Processing for thin-wall enclosures uses injection speeds of 250–350 mm/s, filling pressures of 120–140 MPa, and mold temperatures of 40–60 °C. Conformal cooling channels are recommended to hold the mold surface temperature within ± 2 °C because nonuniform heat removal causes flow-direction warpage in fiber-reinforced PLA. Dimensional tolerances per ISO 20457:2018 may be held to ±0.05 mm only after 24 h conditioning at 23 °C / 50% RH. Terminal products include over-ear headphone arm caps, remote control battery doors, portable diagnostic display bezels, and wearable sensor enclosure prototypes. Long-term creep at 40 °C in battery compartment snap features should be evaluated with retention-force testing over 500 h; published creep data for this specific grade is limited.
Short-fiber PLA is used in modular shelving clips, drawer slide brackets, leveling feet, and cable management supports in office furniture because the short fiber length shifts tensile modulus upward enough to reduce deformation under sustained load. In a clip bearing 20–40 N static load at 23 °C, creep strain after 7 days is lower for FC 10130 than for unfilled PLA, but published data for specific clamp force retention is limited. Testing follows EN 14073-2:2004 for drawer slide pull-out loads and ANSI/BIFMA X5.5-2020 for desk-mounted cable clips. Processing uses wall thickness of 3.0–4.0 mm; pack-and-hold pressure is 60–80 MPa for 10–15 s to suppress sink marks at rib intersections. Gate location is placed away from the high-tensile corner of the clip to keep the weld line out of the highest stress concentration zone. The mold is maintained at 20–25 °C; higher mold temperature may improve crystallinity but increases cycle time beyond 35 s. Moisture uptake after 24 h immersion according to ISO 62:2008 is around 0.5–1.0% for short-fiber PLA composites. Above 50 °C, creep rate accelerates; published data for PLA composites under 20 MPa load indicates strain exceeding 1% within 24 h, so metal inserts are used for joints requiring dimensional stability. Terminal products include shelf locator clips, drawer slide brackets, leveler feet with antiskid pads, and cable-retention clips for modular office furniture. The material is not specified for load-bearing structural furniture joints replacing metal or glass-filled engineering resins in continuously loaded connection points.
Agricultural and horticultural components such as vine clips, plant support rings, greenhouse drip fittings, and tree guard stakes are injection molded from FC 10130 where the end-of-life scenario benefits from biosourced carbon content. In field use the component is exposed to UV, soil moisture, and microbial activity; the short fiber reinforcement raises initial clamping stiffness but does not prevent hydrolytic degradation of the PLA matrix. Water absorption per ISO 62:2008 after 24 h immersion is around 0.5–1.0% for short-fiber PLA composites. Tensile strength retention after 12 months in soil at 20–25 °C is not reliable data; published data for PLA in soil indicates slow degradation because hydrolysis is temperature-dependent and requires sustained temperature near 58 °C for industrial composting per ISO 14855-1:2012. Processing uses wall thickness of 2.5–5.0 mm; injection speed is 40–60 mm/s to prevent jetting in thick sections, and mold temperature is 20–30 °C. Gate diameter is not less than 60% of wall thickness to limit fiber breakage at the gate entrance. Terminal products include vineyard vine clips, greenhouse hangers, plant markers, and drip line support stakes. These are not specified for multi-season reuse unless a UV stabilizer masterbatch is validated; carbon black at 1–2 wt% can improve weathering but may alter compostability performance. Compliance for soil-contact mulch clips follows ISO 17556:2019 for aerobic biodegradation in soil; compostable clips evaluated for industrial composting require 90% disintegration after 12 weeks under EN 13432:2000. No single standard certifies field performance across all agricultural soil and climate conditions.
Cold-food service components produced from FC 10130 are qualified under migration limits before any mechanical test is interpreted. Short-fiber PLA food-contact serviceware components such as reusable cold-cutlery handles, beverage lid plugs for cold drinks, tray feet, and espresso knock box bodies require overall migration below 10 mg/dm² per EU Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 using the specified food simulant for the intended contact category. United States market access for PLA food-contact compounds is typically established through a Food Contact Notification rather than a broad 21 CFR 177.1520 listing, which applies to olefin polymers. Processing uses polished S136 tool steel with SPI A2 finish. No external mold release agents are used, and the barrel temperature is held at 175–195 °C to limit migration of degradation byproducts. For a lid plug with a snap-seal undercut, side-action slides or collapsible cores are used. Injection speed and pack pressure management prevent sink marks around bosses; after demolding, parts are conditioned at 23 °C / 50% RH for 24 h before dimensional audit. Thermal limitation is the controlling boundary: automated dishwashing at 60–70 °C can exceed dimensional stability, and repeated cycles produce warpage greater than 1.0% in long thin features. Use is restricted to contact with food at or below 40 °C. Terminal products include cold beverage lid plugs, reusable cutlery handles, tray feet, and espresso knock box bodies. The material is not specified for boiling water contact, microwave reheating, or oven use.
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FC 10130 is a short fiber reinforced polylactic acid injection molding compound supplied for rigid technical parts requiring higher modulus, reduced mold shrinkage, or improved thermal deformation behavior relative to unfilled PLA. The designation identifies a PLA matrix modified with a discrete short fiber phase, but it does not by itself specify glass, carbon, basalt, or cellulosic fiber chemistry. The numeric suffix 30 is conventionally interpreted in compounding practice as a nominal fiber loading of 30 wt%, with typical batch tolerance between 28 wt% and 32 wt% when glass fiber is used. Published grade-specific data for FC 10130 are limited; where the supplier certificate is not available, representative ranges in this document are drawn from short glass fiber reinforced PLA injection molding compounds of equivalent nominal loading characterized under ISO and ASTM test methods.
The material is normally received as cylindrical pellets with a diameter of 3 mm to 4 mm and length of 4 mm to 6 mm. Bulk density ranges from 0.65 g/cm³ to 0.85 g/cm³. Solid density for a 30 wt% short glass fiber PLA compound is 1.45 g/cm³ to 1.55 g/cm³ according to ISO 1183-1. Ash content after calcination at 600 °C is typically 28% to 32% by ISO 3451-1. Melt volume-flow rate measured at 210 °C with a 2.16 kg load under ISO 1133-1 is commonly 8 cm³/10 min to 20 cm³/10 min. A measurable low-shear melt viscosity at 100 s⁻¹ and 210 °C may fall between 150 Pa·s and 300 Pa·s; the shear-thinning response is more pronounced than unfilled PLA because short fibers align under flow.
Incoming resin should be restricted to moisture levels below 0.25 wt% as received. Because PLA hydrolyzes at melt processing temperatures, drying is mandatory even if the material is supplied in sealed, moisture-barrier packaging.
Residual moisture above 0.02 wt% at melt temperatures accelerates ester bond scission, causing molecular weight loss, splay, and lower melt viscosity. Desiccant drying at 80 °C for 4 h to 6 h is required. The dryer dew point should be -40 °C or lower, and the hopper should be closed-loop with dry air return. At moisture levels above 0.05 wt%, injection molded parts may exhibit visible splay and melt viscosity can fall by as much as 30% relative to properly dried material. Drying above 100 °C is not recommended because PLA softens and pellets can bridge or agglomerate. After drying, transfer air with a dew point of -20 °C or better should keep ambient uptake below 0.02 wt% for 30 min. If ambient relative humidity exceeds 60%, hopper residence should be reduced or a hopper dryer maintained at 60 °C to 70 °C.
Overdrying at 3 h beyond the target at 80 °C is not generally harmful, but long residence above 90 °C can increase cyclic oligomer mobility and cause pellet surface adhesion. Time and temperature are therefore logged in production; moisture analysis is referenced to ISO 15512 by Karl Fischer titration or a comparable calibrated method.
Rheologically, a 30 wt% short fiber reinforced PLA is shear-thinning, but its entrance effect and fiber orientation make it more sensitive to runner and gate dimensions than unfilled PLA. Capillary viscosity at 100 s⁻¹ may be 150 Pa·s to 300 Pa·s, while at 1000 s⁻¹ it may fall to 60 Pa·s to 120 Pa·s because fiber alignment reduces flow resistance. Melt flow rate measured with 2.16 kg is not sufficient for mold-filling prediction. Moldflow or Moldex3D simulations should use shear-viscosity data measured by capillary rheometry according to ISO 11443 at three temperatures: 190 °C, 210 °C, and 230 °C.
On a standard reciprocating screw injection molding machine with a 20:1 to 24:1 L/D screw, a flat-to-reverse barrel profile of 180 °C rear, 190 °C mid, 195 °C front, and 200 °C nozzle produces a melt temperature of 195 °C to 210 °C. Melt temperature should not exceed 210 °C for more than 8 min; total residence time above 15 min at 210 °C produces measurable viscosity loss and yellowing. Screw rotation is held between 50 rpm and 150 rpm, with back pressure 0.5 MPa to 1.5 MPa to limit fiber attrition and maintain consistent shot size. For wall sections below 2 mm, injection velocity is set from 150 mm/s to 300 mm/s; for sections above 4 mm, velocity is reduced to 40 mm/s to 80 mm/s to prevent jetting and air entrapment. Hold pressure is typically 60 MPa to 100 MPa specific melt pressure and is maintained until gate seal is confirmed by cavity pressure sensors. Clamp force estimates for parts with projected area of 100 cm² commonly start near 800 kN but must be confirmed from cavity pressure and part geometry.
Mold temperature controls crystallization and surface appearance. For thin-wall parts below 2 mm, a mold temperature of 100 °C to 110 °C is required to prevent short shots and to build crystallinity. For thick sections above 4 mm, mold temperature is lowered to 25 °C to 60 °C to reduce cycle time and avoid sink, but unannealed parts will then exhibit lower HDT-A. Tool surfaces should be hardened or coated because short fiber compounds are abrasive; steel hardness of 54 HRC or higher is advised for ejector pins and gate inserts. Generous venting is needed at 0.02 mm to 0.05 mm land depth to prevent gas burns. Hot runner systems are possible with internally heated or valve-gated drops, but nozzle tips should have diameter 4 mm to 6 mm and no abrupt expansion zones.
At 30 wt% short fiber content, fiber orientation and fiber attrition dominate mechanical anisotropy. The flow-direction tensile modulus is typically 8 GPa to 11 GPa, while transverse tensile modulus may be only 4 GPa to 6 GPa under ISO 527-2. Weld-line tensile strength retention is generally 40% to 60% of the bulk tensile strength because fibers align parallel to the weld line and do not bridge the interface. Gate location should therefore place weld lines in low-stress regions. Fiber attrition during molding reduces number-average fiber length from compounded values of 200 µm to 400 µm to molded values of 150 µm to 250 µm. Since the critical fiber length for effective load transfer in glass fiber PLA composites is often reported near 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm, molded fiber length may be below critical length; the property improvement relative to unfilled PLA is therefore derived from constrained matrix deformation and stress transfer rather than from full fiber strengthening.
Processors should not use first-stage fill speed as the sole method to reduce viscosity. Shear heating at high speeds above 300 mm/s can induce local melt temperatures above 230 °C and accelerate PLA chain scission. If a pressure-limited fill occurs, increase mold temperature or gate size before increasing melt temperature because higher melt temperature lowers viscosity but broadens residence-time degradation risk.
Representative mechanical ranges for a 30 wt% short glass fiber reinforced PLA injection molding grade are provided in Table 1. Specimens are conditioned at 23 °C and 50% relative humidity for 40 h under ISO 291 before testing. Values are material-selection guidance, not a certificate for FC 10130.
| Property | Test method | Unfilled PLA | FC 10130 reference range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength | ISO 527-2 | 50–65 MPa | 80–110 MPa |
| Tensile modulus | ISO 527-2 | 3.2–3.8 GPa | 7.5–10 GPa |
| Flexural modulus | ISO 178 | 3.0–3.5 GPa | 8–11 GPa |
| Notched Charpy impact | ISO 179-1/1eA | 2.5–4 kJ/m² | 6–10 kJ/m² |
| HDT-A, 1.8 MPa | ISO 75-2 | 50–60 °C | 85–120 °C |
| Flow-direction mold shrinkage | ISO 294-4 | 0.3–0.6% | 0.15–0.30% |
Unfilled PLA exhibits mold shrinkage from 0.3% to 0.6% under ISO 294-4. A 30 wt% short glass fiber compound may reduce flow-direction shrinkage to 0.15% to 0.30% while transverse shrinkage remains 0.40% to 0.70%. The resulting differential shrinkage is a primary cause of warpage in flat parts with single edge gates. If multidirectional gate location is not possible, tool compensation should be based on molded shrinkage measurements in both flow and cross-flow directions, not on a single isotropic factor. Weld-line strength in mineral-filled PLA is usually higher than in short fiber PLA because plate-like fillers maintain better interface overlap, but short fiber PLA provides higher tensile strength and notched impact.
Unannealed HDT-A at 1.8 MPa is 85 °C to 120 °C for molded short glass PLA depending on mold temperature and crystallinity. Post-molding annealing at 110 °C for 2 h can increase HDT-A by 20 °C to 40 °C, but reduces notched impact and may produce additional shrinkage of 0.1% to 0.3%. Annealing is only appropriate when dimensions can be compensated and when the part is not exposed to impact.
FC 10130-type short fiber reinforced PLA differs from unfilled PLA by higher melt viscosity, lower surface gloss, lower mold shrinkage anisotropy, and improved stiffness. Compared with mineral-filled PLA, the short fiber system yields higher tensile strength and impact but produces more flow-direction anisotropy and lower weld-line strength. Compared with glass-filled polypropylene or ABS, the PLA matrix requires lower barrel temperatures and has lower moisture resistance; continuous exposure to water at 40 °C for extended periods can reduce molecular weight by hydrolysis. The material is not suitable for continuous service above 60 °C under load unless annealed and dimensionally validated. Exposure to alkaline cleaning solutions above pH 9 at 40 °C is not recommended. Amine-based additives should be avoided because amines accelerate ester cleavage in the PLA matrix. Compliance is grade- and lot-specific; Table 2 lists the minimum receiving and regulatory verification framework.
| Parameter or obligation | Standard or directive | Application condition |
|---|---|---|
| Residual moisture before molding | ISO 15512:2019 | ≤ 0.02 wt% |
| Ash/fiber content | ISO 3451-1:2019 | 28%–32% for glass-filled reference |
| Solid density | ISO 1183-1:2019 | 1.45–1.55 g/cm³ |
| Melt volume-flow rate | ISO 1133-1:2022 | 8–20 cm³/10 min at 210 °C, 2.16 kg |
| Tensile properties | ISO 527-2:2012 | Conditioned per ISO 291 |
| Flexural properties | ISO 178:2019 | Conditioned per ISO 291 |
| Notched Charpy impact | ISO 179-1:2010 | 23 °C, 50% RH |
| Heat deflection temperature | ISO 75-2:2013 | 1.8 MPa and 0.45 MPa |
| Mold shrinkage | ISO 294-4:2018 | Flow and transverse directions |
| REACH candidate substances | REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 Article 33 | Grade-specific supplier declaration required |
| RoHS restricted substances | Directive 2011/65/EU Annex II | Grade-specific supplier declaration required |
| Food-contact status | EU Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 or FDA FCS notification | Only if grade-specific migration testing and declaration exist; not established for FC 10130 |
These receiving and regulatory checks do not replace application-specific part qualification under final molding conditions.
