Qingdao Haier New Material PC/ABS NH-9018G15 is supplied as a 15% glass-fibre-reinforced polycarbonate/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene compound in pellet form. The suffix G15 corresponds to a nominal glass-fibre mass fraction of 15%, a loading selected to raise tensile modulus and heat deflection temperature relative to unfilled PC/ABS while retaining higher flowability and lower density than 30% glass-filled analogues. In procurement documents, the grade should be specified with the supplier material code, colour reference, and the applicable issue date of the technical data sheet. Published data for this specific configuration is limited; the numerical ranges that follow are class-typical values for 15% glass-filled PC/ABS sourced from industrial technical literature and should not be treated as certificate-confirmed batch values for a specific production lot. Verification of glass content is conducted by ISO 3451-1:2019, density by ISO 1183-1:2019, and moisture content by ISO 15512:2019.

What Distinguishes NH-9018G15 from Unfilled PC/ABS and Mineral-Filled Grades?

In unfilled PC/ABS, tensile modulus commonly falls within 2.1–2.6 GPa under ISO 527-2:2012, whereas 15% glass-reinforced compounds typically reach 4.5–6.0 GPa. The glass phase also raises heat deflection temperature under ISO 75-2:2013 method A from approximately 95–110 °C for unfilled PC/ABS to 115–126 °C for the reinforced grade. These gains are accompanied by lower notched impact strength because the glass fibres create stress concentrations in the polycarbonate-continuous matrix. Charpy notched impact values measured under ISO 179-1/1eA:2010 at 23 °C typically shift from above 40 kJ/m² for unfilled grades to 10–18 kJ/m² for 15% glass-filled PC/ABS. Compared with mineral-filled or 30% glass-filled grades, the 15% loading offers lower density, generally 1.23–1.28 g/cm³ versus 1.32–1.42 g/cm³ for 30% glass-filled PC/ABS, and less abrasion on tool steel. The reduction in fibre loading also yields a wider melt-flow window and better surface appearance, but it does not match the flexural modulus of 30% glass-reinforced PC/ABS.

Mechanical, Thermal, and Rheological Test Framework for Glass-Reinforced PC/ABS

The table below lists test standards and the class-typical envelope for a 15% glass-fibre-reinforced PC/ABS. Lot-specific values for NH-9018G15 should be read from the supplier certificate of analysis, because test specimen preparation according to ISO 294-1:2017 and fibre orientation during plaque moulding influence the numerical result.

Thermal Stability, Moisture Limits, and Screw Recovery Parameters

Prior to melt processing, residual moisture must be reduced below 0.02% by weight as determined by ISO 15512:2019. A desiccant drying unit with air dew point no higher than −40 °C and air flow of 0.2 m³/h per kg/h of polymer throughput is generally specified. Drying at 80–90 °C for 3–4 h in a hopper dryer prevents hydrolysis of the polycarbonate phase, which otherwise reduces molecular weight, lowers notched impact strength, and produces silver streaks on the part surface. Melt temperature should be maintained at 260–280 °C measured at the nozzle. Mould surface temperature in a water-heated tool is typically 70–90 °C to control solidification of the PC/ABS blend and to promote adequate fibre wetting. Screw recovery settings for a general-purpose injection screw with L/D ratio 20:1 to 22:1 and compression ratio 2.0:1 to 2.5:1 are recommended. Excessive screw speed above 0.5 m/s peripheral velocity can fracture glass fibres and reduce tensile strength by measurable amounts. Back pressure of 0.3–0.8 MPa hydraulic, or 3–8 bar, is used to homogenize glass fibre distribution.

On production-scale injection moulding lines, a common failure mode in glass-reinforced PC/ABS is screw and check-ring wear caused by the fibre bundle. Nitrided or bimetallic screw surfaces are specified to limit wear. Back pressure above 0.8 MPa may increase shear heating and accelerate fibre fracture. Fibre length measured after melt processing can fall below 0.3 mm from an initial pellet length of approximately 3 mm, and tensile modulus is particularly sensitive to the residual fibre length distribution. Gate frost, jetting, and free-fall drool from hot runner tips are observed when nozzle temperature exceeds 285 °C or when the nozzle orifice diameter is too small relative to the glass fibre length. Mould deposits resulting from ABS volatile components and broken fibre can be managed by periodic cleaning of vents, with vent depth limited to 0.02–0.03 mm to avoid flash.

When NH-9018G15 Replaces Unfilled PC/ABS in Heat-Exposed Enclosure Components

Substitution of unfilled PC/ABS with 15% glass-reinforced NH-9018G15 is justified when the application requires a heat deflection temperature above 115 °C at 1.8 MPa according to ISO 75-2:2013 method A. The glass fibre network reduces creep under sustained load. A spiral flow test using a 2.0 mm thick cavity at 260 °C and 80 MPa injection pressure typically yields 300–500 mm for this class, compared with 500–700 mm for unfilled PC/ABS. Mould-filling simulation should incorporate fibre orientation tensors generated from shear viscosity data at three temperatures and three shear rates, because isotropic material models underpredict weld-line pressure drop.

Weld-line regions are the limiting mechanical feature in glass-reinforced parts. When two melt fronts meet, glass fibres tend to orient parallel to the weld interface, creating a plane of reduced transverse tensile strength. Charpy notched impact at the weld line may fall to 5–8 kJ/m² even when the bulk value is above 12 kJ/m². Gate placement should locate weld lines away from snap-fit hooks, screw bosses, and perimeter sealing surfaces. Shrinkage anisotropy is a second practical constraint. According to ISO 294-4:2018, the flow-direction mould shrinkage for this class is typically 0.2–0.5%, while transverse shrinkage may reach 0.3–0.7%. Thin-wall sections can exceed these ranges because orientation increases with shear rate. Tooling should provide separate flow and transverse shrinkage allowances, and prototype measurements on a 100 mm × 100 mm × 2 mm plaque are recommended before final steel cutting.

Regulatory documentation for NH-9018G15 should include a supplier declaration under EU RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU as amended by (EU) 2015/863 and REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006. Flammability classification is accepted only from the UL Yellow Card listing for the specific colour and wall thickness. General claims such as V-1 at 1.6 mm or V-0 at 3.0 mm must not be inferred without that listing. The presence of glass fibre can reduce comparative tracking index relative to unfilled PC/ABS. In safety-critical electrical spacing, the CTI determined under IEC 60112:2020 should be verified for the production formulation. Avoid contact with strong bases, ketones, chlorinated solvents, and amine-catalysed polyurethane foam systems, which can induce environmental stress cracking of the polycarbonate phase.

Applications for NH-9018G15 include structural brackets in appliance housings, electronic device internal frames, automotive interior mounting brackets, and industrial equipment guards where combined stiffness, dimensional stability, and heat resistance are required. In appliance housings, the higher modulus permits reductions in rib density compared with unfilled PC/ABS, but ribs should be designed with draft angles above 1.0° and nominal wall thickness below 4.0 mm to minimise sink and glass orientation effects. In automotive interior brackets exposed to short-term heat soak at 105–120 °C, the grade class provides lower creep than unfilled PC/ABS, but long-term thermal oxidative ageing data under ISO 188:2023 for the specific colour and stabiliser package should be obtained before series approval. In industrial guards subject to impact, the notched impact condition is less relevant than the unnotched or multiaxial impact response. Puncture testing under ISO 6603-2:2023 at 23 °C and −20 °C is recommended for this class because glass fibres can reduce energy absorption under ductile failure mode. If the component requires post-mould painting or electroplating, the higher glass fibre content can produce surface roughness and fibre read-through after solvent-borne coating. A flame or plasma pre-treatment is often necessary, and adhesion must be validated under ISO 2409:2020 cross-cut testing.