Ultrafuse PC/ABS FR: Flame-Retardant Enclosures and Electrical Components (750 g, 1.75 mm)
Ultrafuse PC/ABS FR is a halogen-free, flame-retardant polycarbonate/ABS blend from BASF and Forward AM. It's my go-to recommendation when someone needs an electronics enclosure that meets UL 94 V-0 without stepping up to 400 °C materials. It combines PC's mechanical strength with ABS's more manageable printing temperatures — though you'll still need an enclosed printer to get reliable results.
Key specs
- Halogen-free flame-retardant PC/ABS blend, black.
- UL 94 V-0 rated at 1.5 mm and 3.0 mm wall thickness, per the Forward AM datasheet.
- Railway certification EN 45545-2:2016, R26 HL1-3, at 1.5 mm and 3.0 mm.
- Nozzle 260–280 °C, bed 90–110 °C, enclosed build chamber required.
- 750 g spool, 1.75 mm diameter.
Will my printer handle it?
If your printer is enclosed, reaches 280 °C at the nozzle, and 110 °C at the bed, yes. Forward AM requires a passively heated enclosure — meaning the heated bed warms the chamber air — active chamber heating is not necessary. Open-frame printers will struggle with warping and poor layer adhesion. Official profiles are available for Prusa, BCN3D, Intamsys, and Ultimaker, plus high-speed profiles for Bambu Lab and Raise3D. A standard 0.4 mm nozzle works fine since this filament contains no fiber fill.
What does the V-0 rating actually cover?
The datasheet certifies UL 94 V-0 at 1.5 mm and 3.0 mm, glow-wire end-product test (GWEPT) at 725 °C for 1.5 mm and 960 °C for 3.0 mm, and EN 45545-2 R26 HL1-3 at those same thicknesses. These are material-level test results at specific wall thicknesses. If your parts have thinner walls or need to pass formal certification, testing the finished part is your responsibility. Forward AM lists typical applications as Raspberry Pi enclosures, plugs and connectors, portable device housings, power tool casings, and automotive components.
Technical specifications
| Property |
Value |
| Nozzle temperature |
260–280 °C |
| Bed temperature |
90–110 °C |
| Build chamber |
Enclosed, passive heating |
| Bed surface |
Glass |
| Nozzle size |
≥ 0.4 mm |
| Print speed |
30–50 mm/s (TDS); up to 350 mm/s with high-speed profiles |
| Printed part density |
1,167 kg/m³ |
| HDT at 1.8 / 0.45 MPa |
79 °C / 86 °C |
| Glass transition temperature |
94 °C |
| Tensile strength XY / ZX |
50.1 MPa / 17.3 MPa |
| Notched Izod impact XY / ZX |
16.8 kJ/m² / 1.8 kJ/m² |
| Dielectric strength XY |
33 kV/mm |
Printing tips
- Dry for 4–16 hours at 60 °C in a filament dryer or vacuum oven, as recommended by the manufacturer.
- Think about layer orientation when positioning your parts: tensile strength drops from 50.1 MPa (XY) to 17.3 MPa in the vertical (ZX) direction.
- For high-speed printing, Forward AM notes that nozzle temperature may need to be increased. Their high-speed tests use a 0.4 mm nozzle and 0.2 mm layer height.
- Print in a ventilated space or use fume extraction.
FAQ
Is it fireproof?
It's flame retardant, not fireproof: it meets UL 94 V-0 at 1.5 mm and 3.0 mm per Forward AM's datasheet. This does not mean it won't burn under all conditions.
Is it halogen-free?
Yes, the manufacturer states the flame retardant system is halogen-free.
Do I need a hardened nozzle?
No. This filament contains no fiber fill. Forward AM specifies a 0.4 mm or larger nozzle.
Can I print it on an open-frame printer?
I wouldn't recommend it. The manufacturer requires an enclosed chamber.
What temperature can it handle?
According to the datasheet, the HDT is 86 °C at 0.45 MPa and the glass transition temperature is 94 °C.
Is it suitable for railway applications?
Yes, it carries EN 45545-2:2016 R26 HL1-3 certification at 1.5 and 3.0 mm. Approval for any specific part depends on the individual project.
Does it need to be dried?
Yes, at 60 °C for 4 to 16 hours. You can find suitable options in our filament dryers collection.
What does this product reference include?
PC-4718a075: 1.75 mm, 750 g spool, black. Discover more engineering materials in our technical filaments collection.
