What is PP GF40?

LFT-G^® NG04 PP GF40 is a high-performance polypropylene (PP) composite, technically defined as a Long Glass Fiber Thermoplastic (LFT) reinforced with 40% glass fiber content (LGF40). It is produced via a specialized pultrusion process where continuous E-glass fibers are meticulously aligned and fully impregnated by a polypropylene matrix. This results in pellets where the fiber length is equal to the pellet length (typically 12mm), a critical distinction from common short fiber materials (SGF).

LFT-G^® NG04 PP GF40 is a high-performance 40%Long Glass Fiber (LGF) reinforced polypropylene engineered for a superior balance of properties. It provides:

Exceptional Impact Strength: Dramatically tougher and more resilient than short fiber composites.
High Strength & Stiffness: A robust solution for load-bearing applications and metal replacement.
Excellent Cost-Performance: Delivers high-end performance with the processing advantages of polypropylene.

During the injection molding process, these long fibers create an interconnected, three-dimensional skeletal network within the molded part. This internal structure acts as the primary load-bearing element, distributing stress efficiently and providing a level of performance unachievable by its short fiber counterparts. The result is a material that perfectly bridges the gap between standard plastics and metals, offering an outstanding balance of strength, exceptional toughness, and design flexibility. The polypropylene base ensures low density, excellent chemical resistance against acids, bases, and solvents, and superior processability, making LFT-G^® PP LGF40 a highly versatile and reliable engineering solution.

Technical Specifications & Performance Data

Reliable data is the foundation of great engineering. The specifications below represent typical values for our LFT-G^® PP LGF40 (NG04) grade, demonstrating a balanced and robust performance profile. All data is generated from injection-molded test specimens according to ISO standards.

Material Properties (Model: LFT-G^® NG04 PP GF40)

Property	Value	Unit	Test Method
Density	1.21	g/cm³	ISO 1183
Tensile Strength	145	MPa	ISO 527
Flexural Modulus	9,680	MPa	ISO 178
Notched Izod Impact Strength	41	kJ/m²	ISO 180
Heat Deflection Temperature (1.8 MPa)	158	°C	ISO 75

Download Complete NG04 PP GF40 Data Sheet PDF

Performance Comparison: The Long Fiber Advantage

Material	Relative Stiffness	Relative Impact Strength	Long-Term Creep Resistance
LFT-G^® PP LGF40	~1.3x	~3.0x - 4.0x	Excellent
PP SGF40 (Short Fiber)	1.0x	1.0x	Fair
Unfilled Polypropylene (PP)	~0.2x	~0.5x (ductile)	Poor

Note: This table highlights how LFT technology dramatically enhances impact strength and long-term structural reliability compared to short fiber alternatives.

Proven Applications & Case Studies

LFT-G^® PP LGF40 is a highly versatile grade, trusted by engineers across multiple industries for components that must withstand demanding real-world conditions. Its balanced profile makes it an ideal candidate for converting complex metal assemblies into single, lightweight, and durable plastic parts.

An automotive battery tray molded from LFT-G PP GF40, showing complex ribs and features. — Automotive battery trays require the structural integrity, chemical resistance,
and impact performance offered by LFT-G^® PP LGF40.

Case Study: Automotive Battery Tray

The Challenge: An electric vehicle manufacturer needed a lightweight, durable, and corrosion-proof solution for a large battery tray. The traditional coated steel tray was heavy, costly, and susceptible to damage from road debris and potential battery fluid leaks.

The Solution: The multi-piece steel assembly was replaced with a single-shot injection-molded part made from LFT-G^® PP LGF40. The polypropylene matrix provided inherent resistance to battery acids and road salts, while the 40% long glass fiber structure delivered the required stiffness and strength to support the heavy battery module and pass rigorous crash test standards.

"The critical success factor here was the material's impact performance at low temperatures. Electric vehicle batteries must be protected during a winter crash scenario. The long fiber network in our PP LGF40 is exceptionally good at absorbing energy without shattering, unlike more brittle materials, which was a key reason it was specified over competitors." Bob said, the structure engineer from someone brand Tier1 of automotive part design department.

The Result: The conversion resulted in a 40% weight reduction for the tray component, contributing to the vehicle's overall range efficiency. It also eliminated all corrosion concerns and reduced production costs by 25% by consolidating seven parts into one.

A diagram illustrating the interlocking long fiber network within an LFT composite part after molding — The internal "skeletal" network of long fibers is what gives LFT composites their superior toughness and creep resistance.

Case Study: Professional Power Tool Housing

The Challenge: A manufacturer of professional-grade cordless drills wanted to enhance the ruggedness and user ergonomics of their flagship model. The existing short fiber composite housing was prone to cracking when dropped from heights, a common occurrence on job sites. It also transmitted significant vibration to the user's hand.

The Solution: The housing was redesigned using LFT-G^® PP LGF40. The material's vastly superior impact strength was the primary driver. The long fiber network's ability to absorb and dissipate energy meant the tool could now withstand repeated drops onto concrete without failure.

Wailer said, the famous industry engineer : "Beyond just drop tests, we focused on long-term durability. The creep resistance of the LFT material ensures that screw bosses and bearing seats within the housing maintain their precise dimensions over years of use and thousands of thermal cycles. This prevents parts from becoming loose, a common failure mode in lower-grade plastic housings."

The Result: The new housing passed drop tests from double the height of the previous model, dramatically improving its field reliability and brand perception. An additional benefit was a noticeable reduction in high-frequency vibration, leading to improved user comfort and control. This became a key marketing feature for the new product line.

Design & Processing Guidelines

To achieve optimal results with LFT-G^® PP LGF40, careful consideration during the design and molding stages is crucial. Our technical service team offers comprehensive support, but here are some fundamental guidelines for your engineering team:

product-2229-886

①Drying Time	2-4 hours
Drying Temperature	80-100°C
② Temperature Zone (Melt)	210-250°C
③Mold Temperature	40-80°C

Material Handling: While Polypropylene has low moisture absorption, pre-drying for 1-2 hours at 80-100°C (176-212°F) is recommended to remove any surface moisture, which ensures a high-quality surface finish and prevents splay.
Tooling & Machine: Use a general-purpose screw with a low compression ratio (e.g., 2:1) and a free-flowing nozzle and check ring assembly to minimize shear and preserve fiber length. Molds should be made from high-quality tool steel to withstand long production runs.
Part Design for LFT: Maintain generous radii on all internal and external corners (minimum 1mm) to facilitate smooth polymer flow and avoid creating stress concentration points. Strive for a uniform wall thickness across the part; where changes are needed, make them gradual and tapered.
Gating Strategy: The placement and type of gate are critical for LFT performance. Use large, simple gates like tab or direct sprue gates. Position them in non-critical areas and in a way that allows the melt to flow along the part's primary load path, which helps align the fibers for maximum strength in that direction.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: When should I choose PP LGF40 instead of PP LGF30 or PP LGF50?

A: LFT-G^® PP LGF40 represents the "sweet spot" in our portfolio for many applications. It offers a significant step up in strength and stiffness from the 30% grade, making it suitable for more demanding structural roles. Compared to the 50% grade, it provides better impact toughness and is slightly easier to process for parts with very complex geometries or long flow paths. It is the ideal choice when you need a robust balance between ultimate strength and maximum toughness.

Q: Can this material be colored?

A: Yes. While the natural color is a milky white/beige, LFT-G^® PP LGF40 can be compounded in a wide range of custom colors to meet your branding and aesthetic requirements. The color is integrated directly into the pellets, ensuring consistency throughout the part. Please provide a RAL code or physical color sample for matching.

Q: What is the chemical resistance of PP LGF40 like?

A: The chemical resistance is excellent and is one of the key advantages of a polypropylene-based composite. It is highly resistant to a wide range of chemicals, including automotive fluids (glycol, oil, fuel), cleaning detergents, and many industrial acids and bases. This makes it a superior choice over materials like Nylon (PA6/PA66) in applications with constant exposure to moisture or specific chemicals.

Begin Your Metal-to-Plastic Conversion Project

Ready to leverage the balanced performance of LFT-G^® PP LGF40 to create lighter, more durable, and cost-effective components? Our team is ready to assist with material selection, CAE mold-flow analysis, and processing support to ensure your success.

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