{
  "spore": "profile",
  "id": "lcp",
  "spore_version": "0.2",
  "family": "polyesters",
  "name": "Liquid crystal polymer",
  "abbreviation": "LCP",
  "role": "high-performance thermoplastic for low-loss RF and flexible electronics",
  "category": "polymers",
  "type": "polyesters",
  "summary": "LCP is a partially crystalline aromatic polyester that stays ordered in the melt. Goodfellow lists an unfilled Vectra A950 rod with a heat deflection temperature of 220 °C at 0.45 MPa and a dielectric constant of 3 at 1 MHz. Georgia Tech papers give a dielectric constant of 3.1 that is nearly flat from RF to 110 GHz, with a loss tangent of 0.002 that rises to 0.0045 at 110 GHz. Insertion loss on 3- and 5-mil LCP substrates rose about 20% at 75 °C and 50% or more at 125 °C. Zenite, an LCP, flew on the outside of the ISS in the MISSE-FF experiment from July 2022, but no published erosion or outgassing result for LCP was found in the sources read.\n",
  "best_for": "Low-loss RF substrates and flexible circuits where the dielectric constant and moisture uptake must stay stable in humid air",
  "weakest_at": "Loss rises with temperature, about 20% more line loss at 75 °C and 50% or more at 125 °C, and no space-exposure result for LCP was found",
  "identity": {
    "formula": "Thermotropic aromatic polyester based on p-hydroxybenzoic acid and related monomers (a class of polymers, not one formula)",
    "designations": [],
    "source": "wikipedia-lcp",
    "where": "Opening section on chemical composition; the page calls LCPs partially crystalline aromatic polyesters based on p-hydroxybenzoic acid and related monomers"
  },
  "tags": {
    "environments": [
      "low-earth-orbit"
    ],
    "stresses": [
      "extreme-heat"
    ],
    "applications": [
      "electronics-and-chips"
    ]
  },
  "properties": [
    {
      "benchmark": "density",
      "label": "Density, Vectra A950 unfilled rod",
      "value": 1.4,
      "bound": "exact",
      "unit": "g/cm3",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "grade": "Vectra A950 (Vectra A), unfilled",
        "form": "rod, 18 mm diameter"
      },
      "method": "Value printed in the distributor property table; test method not stated",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "goodfellow-vectra-a950",
      "where": "Physical Properties table, Density row",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "Vectra A950 LCP rod, Goodfellow product page with property table",
        "id": "Goodfellow Metals, Vectra A950 LCP rod (Vectra A grade, unfilled, 18 mm rod)",
        "url": "https://www.goodfellow.com/eu/vectra-a950-lcp-rod-group",
        "year": 2026,
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "distributor product page, cited not reproduced"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "heat_deflection_temperature",
      "label": "Heat deflection temperature, Vectra A950 rod",
      "value": 220,
      "bound": "exact",
      "unit": "°C",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "load": "0.45 MPa",
        "grade": "Vectra A950 rod, unfilled"
      },
      "method": "Value printed in the distributor thermal table; test standard not named",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "goodfellow-vectra-a950",
      "where": "Thermal Properties table, Heat-deflection temperature row at 0.45 MPa",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "Vectra A950 LCP rod, Goodfellow product page with property table",
        "id": "Goodfellow Metals, Vectra A950 LCP rod (Vectra A grade, unfilled, 18 mm rod)",
        "url": "https://www.goodfellow.com/eu/vectra-a950-lcp-rod-group",
        "year": 2026,
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "distributor product page, cited not reproduced"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "heat_deflection_temperature",
      "label": "Heat deflection temperature, Vectra A950 rod",
      "value": 180,
      "bound": "exact",
      "unit": "°C",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "load": "1.8 MPa",
        "grade": "Vectra A950 rod, unfilled"
      },
      "method": "Value printed in the distributor thermal table; test standard not named",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "goodfellow-vectra-a950",
      "where": "Thermal Properties table, Heat-deflection temperature row at 1.8 MPa",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "Vectra A950 LCP rod, Goodfellow product page with property table",
        "id": "Goodfellow Metals, Vectra A950 LCP rod (Vectra A grade, unfilled, 18 mm rod)",
        "url": "https://www.goodfellow.com/eu/vectra-a950-lcp-rod-group",
        "year": 2026,
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "distributor product page, cited not reproduced"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "max_service_temp",
      "label": "Upper working temperature, Vectra A950 rod",
      "value": 200,
      "value_high": 220,
      "bound": "range",
      "unit": "°C",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "basis": "upper working temperature as printed, a range"
      },
      "method": "Range printed in the distributor thermal table; test not stated",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "goodfellow-vectra-a950",
      "where": "Thermal Properties table, Upper working temperature row",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "Vectra A950 LCP rod, Goodfellow product page with property table",
        "id": "Goodfellow Metals, Vectra A950 LCP rod (Vectra A grade, unfilled, 18 mm rod)",
        "url": "https://www.goodfellow.com/eu/vectra-a950-lcp-rod-group",
        "year": 2026,
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "distributor product page, cited not reproduced"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "min_service_temp",
      "label": "Lower working temperature, Vectra A950 rod",
      "value": -200,
      "bound": "exact",
      "unit": "°C",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "basis": "lower working temperature as printed"
      },
      "method": "Value printed in the distributor thermal table; test not stated",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "goodfellow-vectra-a950",
      "where": "Thermal Properties table, Lower working temperature row",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "Vectra A950 LCP rod, Goodfellow product page with property table",
        "id": "Goodfellow Metals, Vectra A950 LCP rod (Vectra A grade, unfilled, 18 mm rod)",
        "url": "https://www.goodfellow.com/eu/vectra-a950-lcp-rod-group",
        "year": 2026,
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "distributor product page, cited not reproduced"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "elongation",
      "label": "Elongation at break, Vectra A950 rod",
      "value": 3,
      "bound": "exact",
      "unit": "%",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "grade": "Vectra A950 rod, unfilled",
        "test": "not stated"
      },
      "method": "Value printed in the distributor mechanical table; test standard not named",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "goodfellow-vectra-a950",
      "where": "Mechanical Properties table, Elongation at break row",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "Vectra A950 LCP rod, Goodfellow product page with property table",
        "id": "Goodfellow Metals, Vectra A950 LCP rod (Vectra A grade, unfilled, 18 mm rod)",
        "url": "https://www.goodfellow.com/eu/vectra-a950-lcp-rod-group",
        "year": 2026,
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "distributor product page, cited not reproduced"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "ultimate_tensile_strength",
      "label": "Tensile strength, Vectra A950 rod (range as printed)",
      "value": 55,
      "value_high": 165,
      "bound": "range",
      "unit": "MPa",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "grade": "Vectra A950 rod, unfilled",
        "test": "not stated",
        "note": "one printed range, not separate values per direction"
      },
      "method": "Range printed in the distributor mechanical table; test method not stated",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "goodfellow-vectra-a950",
      "where": "Mechanical Properties table, Tensile strength row",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "Vectra A950 LCP rod, Goodfellow product page with property table",
        "id": "Goodfellow Metals, Vectra A950 LCP rod (Vectra A grade, unfilled, 18 mm rod)",
        "url": "https://www.goodfellow.com/eu/vectra-a950-lcp-rod-group",
        "year": 2026,
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "distributor product page, cited not reproduced"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "dielectric_constant",
      "label": "Dielectric constant of LCP, RF to 110 GHz",
      "value": 3.1,
      "bound": "exact",
      "unit": "-",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "frequency": "RF range up to 110 GHz",
        "basis": "nearly constant over the entire RF range as stated in the paper"
      },
      "method": "Stated in the introduction of an LCP microwave paper, which cites an earlier characterisation",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "vyas-aps07",
      "where": "Introduction, paragraph 2",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP): The Ultimate Solution for Low-Loss RF Packaging (APS 2007, Georgia Tech)",
        "id": "APS 2007, Vyas, Tentzeris group, Georgia Tech",
        "url": "https://tentzeris.ece.gatech.edu/APS07_Vyas.pdf",
        "year": 2007,
        "kind": "paper",
        "license": "author-hosted copy, cited not reproduced"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "dielectric_constant",
      "label": "Dielectric constant, Vectra A950 rod",
      "value": 3,
      "bound": "exact",
      "unit": "-",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "frequency": "1 MHz",
        "grade": "Vectra A950 rod, unfilled"
      },
      "method": "Value printed in the distributor electrical table, measured at 1 MHz",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "goodfellow-vectra-a950",
      "where": "Electrical Properties table, Dielectric constant row",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "Vectra A950 LCP rod, Goodfellow product page with property table",
        "id": "Goodfellow Metals, Vectra A950 LCP rod (Vectra A grade, unfilled, 18 mm rod)",
        "url": "https://www.goodfellow.com/eu/vectra-a950-lcp-rod-group",
        "year": 2026,
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "distributor product page, cited not reproduced"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "dissipation_factor",
      "label": "Dissipation factor, Vectra A950 rod",
      "value": 0.02,
      "bound": "exact",
      "unit": "-",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "frequency": "1 MHz",
        "grade": "Vectra A950 rod, unfilled"
      },
      "method": "Value printed in the distributor electrical table at 1 MHz",
      "status": "ground",
      "note": "The microwave paper gives a far lower loss tangent at RF; the two values use different test frequencies and are not directly comparable.",
      "source": "goodfellow-vectra-a950",
      "where": "Electrical Properties table, Dissipation factor row",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "Vectra A950 LCP rod, Goodfellow product page with property table",
        "id": "Goodfellow Metals, Vectra A950 LCP rod (Vectra A grade, unfilled, 18 mm rod)",
        "url": "https://www.goodfellow.com/eu/vectra-a950-lcp-rod-group",
        "year": 2026,
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "distributor product page, cited not reproduced"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "dissipation_factor",
      "label": "Loss tangent of LCP at RF",
      "value": 0.002,
      "bound": "exact",
      "unit": "-",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "frequency": "RF, rising to 0.0045 at 110 GHz"
      },
      "method": "Stated in the introduction of an LCP microwave paper, which cites an earlier characterisation",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "vyas-aps07",
      "where": "Introduction, paragraph 2",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP): The Ultimate Solution for Low-Loss RF Packaging (APS 2007, Georgia Tech)",
        "id": "APS 2007, Vyas, Tentzeris group, Georgia Tech",
        "url": "https://tentzeris.ece.gatech.edu/APS07_Vyas.pdf",
        "year": 2007,
        "kind": "paper",
        "license": "author-hosted copy, cited not reproduced"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "dissipation_factor",
      "label": "Loss tangent of LCP at 110 GHz",
      "value": 0.0045,
      "bound": "exact",
      "unit": "-",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "frequency": "110 GHz"
      },
      "method": "Stated in the introduction of an LCP microwave paper, which cites an earlier characterisation",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "vyas-aps07",
      "where": "Introduction, paragraph 2",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP): The Ultimate Solution for Low-Loss RF Packaging (APS 2007, Georgia Tech)",
        "id": "APS 2007, Vyas, Tentzeris group, Georgia Tech",
        "url": "https://tentzeris.ece.gatech.edu/APS07_Vyas.pdf",
        "year": 2007,
        "kind": "paper",
        "license": "author-hosted copy, cited not reproduced"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "dielectric_strength",
      "label": "Dielectric strength, Vectra A950 rod",
      "value": 47,
      "bound": "exact",
      "unit": "kV/mm",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "thickness": "1.5 mm",
        "grade": "Vectra A950 rod, unfilled"
      },
      "method": "Value printed in the distributor electrical table",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "goodfellow-vectra-a950",
      "where": "Electrical Properties table, Dielectric strength row at 1.5 mm",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "Vectra A950 LCP rod, Goodfellow product page with property table",
        "id": "Goodfellow Metals, Vectra A950 LCP rod (Vectra A grade, unfilled, 18 mm rod)",
        "url": "https://www.goodfellow.com/eu/vectra-a950-lcp-rod-group",
        "year": 2026,
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "distributor product page, cited not reproduced"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "moisture_absorption",
      "label": "Water absorption at equilibrium, Vectra A950 rod",
      "value": 0.03,
      "bound": "exact",
      "unit": "%",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "basis": "equilibrium",
        "grade": "Vectra A950 rod, unfilled"
      },
      "method": "Value printed in the distributor physical table; test conditions not stated",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "goodfellow-vectra-a950",
      "where": "Physical Properties table, Water absorption equilibrium row",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "Vectra A950 LCP rod, Goodfellow product page with property table",
        "id": "Goodfellow Metals, Vectra A950 LCP rod (Vectra A grade, unfilled, 18 mm rod)",
        "url": "https://www.goodfellow.com/eu/vectra-a950-lcp-rod-group",
        "year": 2026,
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "distributor product page, cited not reproduced"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "moisture_absorption",
      "label": "Water absorption over 24 hours, Vectra A950 rod",
      "value": 0.02,
      "bound": "exact",
      "unit": "%",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "basis": "24 hours",
        "grade": "Vectra A950 rod, unfilled"
      },
      "method": "Value printed in the distributor physical table; test conditions not stated",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "goodfellow-vectra-a950",
      "where": "Physical Properties table, Water absorption over 24 hours row",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "Vectra A950 LCP rod, Goodfellow product page with property table",
        "id": "Goodfellow Metals, Vectra A950 LCP rod (Vectra A grade, unfilled, 18 mm rod)",
        "url": "https://www.goodfellow.com/eu/vectra-a950-lcp-rod-group",
        "year": 2026,
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "distributor product page, cited not reproduced"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "moisture_absorption",
      "label": "Water absorption of LCP, upper bound quoted in the paper",
      "value": 0.04,
      "bound": "upper",
      "unit": "%",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "basis": "low and stable water absorption, quoted as below 0.04 %"
      },
      "method": "Stated in the introduction of an LCP microwave paper",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "vyas-aps07",
      "where": "Introduction, paragraph 1",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP): The Ultimate Solution for Low-Loss RF Packaging (APS 2007, Georgia Tech)",
        "id": "APS 2007, Vyas, Tentzeris group, Georgia Tech",
        "url": "https://tentzeris.ece.gatech.edu/APS07_Vyas.pdf",
        "year": 2007,
        "kind": "paper",
        "license": "author-hosted copy, cited not reproduced"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "limiting_oxygen_index",
      "label": "Limiting oxygen index, Vectra A950 rod",
      "value": 35,
      "bound": "exact",
      "unit": "%",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "grade": "Vectra A950 rod, unfilled",
        "test": "not stated"
      },
      "method": "Value printed in the distributor physical table; test standard not named",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "goodfellow-vectra-a950",
      "where": "Physical Properties table, Limiting oxygen index row",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "Vectra A950 LCP rod, Goodfellow product page with property table",
        "id": "Goodfellow Metals, Vectra A950 LCP rod (Vectra A grade, unfilled, 18 mm rod)",
        "url": "https://www.goodfellow.com/eu/vectra-a950-lcp-rod-group",
        "year": 2026,
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "distributor product page, cited not reproduced"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "thermal_conductivity",
      "label": "Thermal conductivity, Vectra A950 rod",
      "value": 0.18,
      "bound": "exact",
      "unit": "W/(m·K)",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "temperature": "23 °C",
        "grade": "Vectra A950 rod, unfilled"
      },
      "method": "Value printed in the distributor thermal table at 23 °C",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "goodfellow-vectra-a950",
      "where": "Thermal Properties table, Thermal conductivity row",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "Vectra A950 LCP rod, Goodfellow product page with property table",
        "id": "Goodfellow Metals, Vectra A950 LCP rod (Vectra A grade, unfilled, 18 mm rod)",
        "url": "https://www.goodfellow.com/eu/vectra-a950-lcp-rod-group",
        "year": 2026,
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "distributor product page, cited not reproduced"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "specific_heat",
      "label": "Specific heat, Vectra A950 rod",
      "value": 1000,
      "bound": "exact",
      "unit": "J/(kg·K)",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "grade": "Vectra A950 rod, unfilled",
        "temperature": "not stated"
      },
      "method": "Value printed in the distributor thermal table; test conditions not stated",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "goodfellow-vectra-a950",
      "where": "Thermal Properties table, Specific heat row",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "Vectra A950 LCP rod, Goodfellow product page with property table",
        "id": "Goodfellow Metals, Vectra A950 LCP rod (Vectra A grade, unfilled, 18 mm rod)",
        "url": "https://www.goodfellow.com/eu/vectra-a950-lcp-rod-group",
        "year": 2026,
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "distributor product page, cited not reproduced"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "cte",
      "label": "Coefficient of thermal expansion, Vectra A950 rod, as printed",
      "value": -80,
      "bound": "exact",
      "unit": "ppm/K",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "grade": "Vectra A950 rod, unfilled",
        "direction": "not stated"
      },
      "method": "Value printed as negative in the distributor thermal table (x10 to the power -6 per kelvin); direction and test not stated",
      "status": "ground",
      "note": "Printed as negative; the sign and direction are unconfirmed, and it is not compared with the film range on the IEEE overview.",
      "source": "goodfellow-vectra-a950",
      "where": "Thermal Properties table, Coefficient of thermal expansion row",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "Vectra A950 LCP rod, Goodfellow product page with property table",
        "id": "Goodfellow Metals, Vectra A950 LCP rod (Vectra A grade, unfilled, 18 mm rod)",
        "url": "https://www.goodfellow.com/eu/vectra-a950-lcp-rod-group",
        "year": 2026,
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "distributor product page, cited not reproduced"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "melting_point",
      "label": "Melting range of commercial LCP grades (class range, not one grade)",
      "value": 280,
      "value_high": 350,
      "bound": "range",
      "unit": "°C",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "basis": "class range across commercial LCP grades, not one grade"
      },
      "method": "Range stated in the numerical property table of the IEEE Technology Navigator LCP overview",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "ieee-technav-lcp",
      "where": "Numerical property table, Melting point row",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "Liquid crystal polymers, IEEE Technology Navigator overview",
        "id": "IEEE Technology Navigator topic page",
        "url": "https://technav.ieee.org/topic/liquid-crystal-polymers/",
        "year": 2026,
        "kind": "web",
        "license": "IEEE overview page, cited not reproduced"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "transmission_line_loss_increase",
      "label": "Increase in transmission-line loss at 75 °C, 3- and 5-mil LCP",
      "value": 20,
      "bound": "exact",
      "unit": "%",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "temperature": "75 °C",
        "reference": "25 °C baseline",
        "substrate": "3- and 5-mil LCP",
        "frequency": "10 to 110 GHz"
      },
      "method": "Measured on hot-chuck test structures in the paper, quoted as approximately 20%",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "thompson-mwcl",
      "where": "Abstract; Results (loss increases)",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "High Temperature Dielectric Stability of Liquid Crystal Polymer at mm-Wave Frequencies (IEEE MWCL)",
        "id": "IEEE Microwave and Wireless Components Letters, Thompson, Papapolymerou, Tentzeris, 2005",
        "url": "https://tentzeris.ece.gatech.edu/MWCL_Dane_ThermalLCP_4_2005.pdf",
        "year": 2005,
        "kind": "paper",
        "license": "author-hosted copy, cited not reproduced"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "transmission_line_loss_increase",
      "label": "Increase in transmission-line loss at 125 °C, 3- and 5-mil LCP",
      "value": 50,
      "bound": "lower",
      "unit": "%",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "temperature": "125 °C",
        "reference": "25 °C baseline",
        "substrate": "3- and 5-mil LCP",
        "frequency": "10 to 110 GHz"
      },
      "method": "Measured on hot-chuck test structures in the paper, quoted as 50% or more",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "thompson-mwcl",
      "where": "Abstract; Results (loss increases)",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "High Temperature Dielectric Stability of Liquid Crystal Polymer at mm-Wave Frequencies (IEEE MWCL)",
        "id": "IEEE Microwave and Wireless Components Letters, Thompson, Papapolymerou, Tentzeris, 2005",
        "url": "https://tentzeris.ece.gatech.edu/MWCL_Dane_ThermalLCP_4_2005.pdf",
        "year": 2005,
        "kind": "paper",
        "license": "author-hosted copy, cited not reproduced"
      }
    }
  ],
  "corrosion": [
    {
      "environment": "Humid air, moisture uptake",
      "headline": "Water uptake stays very low, so the dielectric properties hold up with humidity.",
      "effect": "Goodfellow lists 0.03 % equilibrium water absorption and 0.02 % after 24 hours. The IEEE Technology Navigator says LCP typically absorbs below 0.02 % by weight, and that polyimide, by comparison, can absorb up to 3 % by weight, which shifts its high-frequency behaviour.",
      "rating": "low",
      "conditions": {
        "basis": "distributor and overview values; test conditions not stated",
        "grade": "Vectra A950 rod for the Goodfellow values"
      },
      "source": "goodfellow-vectra-a950",
      "where": "Physical Properties table (water absorption rows)"
    },
    {
      "environment": "Humid air, LCP compared with polyimide",
      "headline": "The IEEE overview says LCP stays near hermetic under humidity, unlike polyimide.",
      "effect": "The IEEE Technology Navigator describes LCP as near-hermetic in moisture and says its dielectric constant stays stable with humidity, unlike polyimide, which can absorb up to 3 % by weight.",
      "rating": "low",
      "conditions": {
        "basis": "qualitative overview statement with typical values"
      },
      "source": "ieee-technav-lcp",
      "where": "Moisture absorption entry"
    },
    {
      "environment": "Heat in operation, 75 °C to 125 °C",
      "headline": "Heat raises the RF loss of LCP lines, and the rise is larger at 125 °C.",
      "effect": "On 3- and 5-mil LCP substrates, insertion loss rose about 20% at 75 °C and 50% or more at 125 °C, measured from 10 to 110 GHz. The authors say these figures can be used as a design guide for LCP circuits exposed to elevated operating temperatures.",
      "rating": "moderate",
      "conditions": {
        "reference": "25 °C baseline",
        "substrate": "3- and 5-mil LCP",
        "frequency": "10 to 110 GHz"
      },
      "source": "thompson-mwcl",
      "where": "Abstract"
    },
    {
      "environment": "Continuous heat, upper working temperature",
      "headline": "The distributor lists an upper working temperature of 200 to 220 °C, but no ageing data at that temperature were found.",
      "effect": "The printed figure is a working limit, not a test result. No long-term heat-ageing, mechanical retention or hydrolysis study for an LCP grade was found in the sources read.",
      "rating": "unknown",
      "conditions": {
        "exposure": "not stated",
        "grade": "Vectra A950 rod, unfilled"
      },
      "source": "goodfellow-vectra-a950",
      "where": "Thermal Properties table, Upper working temperature row"
    },
    {
      "environment": "Ultraviolet light",
      "headline": "UV resistance is rated good on the datasheets read, but without test data, and a fibre form of LCP warns of UV degradation.",
      "effect": "The Goodfellow page rates UV resistance as Good with no exposure figures. The Vectran LCP fibre datasheet states that Vectran suffers from UV degradation. Vectran is a melt-spun fibre, not the Vectra moulding grade, so the warning is about a different product form.",
      "rating": "unknown",
      "conditions": {
        "exposure": "not stated",
        "product_form": "Vectra A950 rod for the Goodfellow rating; Vectran fibre for the warning"
      },
      "source": "vectran-lcp-fibre",
      "where": "Why Vectran page, bullet on UV degradation"
    },
    {
      "environment": "Chemical exposure, qualitative ratings",
      "headline": "Most solvents, oils and alkalis are rated good or fair, but concentrated acids are rated good to poor.",
      "effect": "Goodfellow rates concentrated acids as Good-Poor, dilute acids as Good, alkalis as Good-Fair, aromatic hydrocarbons, greases and oils as Good, and ketones as Good. These are qualitative ratings with no exposure times.",
      "rating": "moderate",
      "conditions": {
        "basis": "qualitative rating table, no exposure times or concentrations stated"
      },
      "source": "goodfellow-vectra-a950",
      "where": "Chemical Resistance section"
    },
    {
      "environment": "Low Earth orbit, atomic oxygen and vacuum ultraviolet",
      "headline": "Zenite was flown on the ISS exterior, but no erosion or outgassing result for LCP was found.",
      "effect": "MISSE-FF, launched July 2022, carried 14 materials including LCP (Zenite). The MISSE-16 paper names Zenite as a focus material, but the results it reports are for Kapton CS and Mylar MO21.",
      "rating": "unknown",
      "conditions": {
        "exposure": "ISS exterior, MISSE-FF flight duplicate and space-aged samples",
        "result": "not reported for LCP in the paper read"
      },
      "source": "nasa-misse-16",
      "where": "Section 2.1 Materials"
    }
  ],
  "risks": {
    "hazards": [
      {
        "text": "The Goodfellow page lists a V0 flammability rating at 0.8 mm and a limiting oxygen index of 35 %. It is a flame-retardant grade, but the page gives no decomposition products and no GHS classification.",
        "ghs": [],
        "source": "goodfellow-vectra-a950",
        "where": "Physical Properties table, Flammability and Limiting oxygen index rows"
      }
    ],
    "failure_risks": [
      {
        "mode": "Insertion-loss rise at elevated temperature",
        "trigger": "Operating RF lines at 75 °C to 125 °C",
        "consequence": "On 3- and 5-mil LCP substrates, transmission-line loss rose about 20% at 75 °C and 50% or more at 125 °C.",
        "severity": "moderate",
        "source": "thompson-mwcl",
        "where": "Abstract"
      },
      {
        "mode": "Brittleness under strain",
        "trigger": "Bending or straining the rod stock beyond its elongation at break",
        "consequence": "The distributor gives an elongation at break of 3 %, so the rod grade does not stretch far before it breaks.",
        "severity": "moderate",
        "source": "goodfellow-vectra-a950",
        "where": "Mechanical Properties table, Elongation at break row"
      }
    ],
    "side_effects": [],
    "handling": [
      {
        "text": "Thermotropic LCPs can only be processed when the melting temperature is far below the decomposition temperature, so they are melt processed on conventional equipment.",
        "source": "wikipedia-lcp",
        "where": "Processing section"
      }
    ],
    "mitigations": [
      {
        "text": "Design RF circuits for about 20% more line loss at 75 °C, as the paper suggests for circuits that will run hot.",
        "source": "thompson-mwcl",
        "where": "Abstract (design guide statement)"
      }
    ]
  },
  "uses": [
    {
      "application": "electronics-and-chips",
      "device": "Flexible RF and microwave circuit substrates",
      "example": "LCP keeps a nearly constant dielectric constant of 3.1 across the RF range up to 110 GHz, and its loss tangent rises only from 0.002 to 0.0045 at 110 GHz. The paper calls LCP very suitable for mm-wave applications.",
      "source": "vyas-aps07",
      "where": "Introduction, paragraph 2"
    },
    {
      "application": "electronics-and-chips",
      "device": "Automotive radar modules",
      "example": "The IEEE Technology Navigator lists 77 GHz and 79 GHz as automotive radar frequencies that use LCP circuits.",
      "source": "ieee-technav-lcp",
      "where": "Application frequencies entry"
    }
  ],
  "supply": [],
  "media": [],
  "documents": [
    {
      "title": "Vectra A950 LCP rod, Goodfellow property table (distributor product page)",
      "type": "datasheet",
      "url": "https://www.goodfellow.com/eu/vectra-a950-lcp-rod-group",
      "year": 2026
    },
    {
      "title": "Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP): The Ultimate Solution for Low-Loss RF Packaging (Georgia Tech, APS 2007)",
      "type": "paper",
      "url": "https://tentzeris.ece.gatech.edu/APS07_Vyas.pdf",
      "year": 2007
    },
    {
      "title": "High Temperature Dielectric Stability of Liquid Crystal Polymer at mm-Wave Frequencies (IEEE Microwave and Wireless Components Letters, 2005)",
      "type": "paper",
      "url": "https://tentzeris.ece.gatech.edu/MWCL_Dane_ThermalLCP_4_2005.pdf",
      "year": 2005
    },
    {
      "title": "MISSE 16 Mission IOC II (NASA, MISSE-FF Zenite and Kapton CS)",
      "type": "report",
      "url": "https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/20230014252/downloads/JShah_MISSE-16%20Mission_IOC%20II_final.pdf",
      "year": 2023
    },
    {
      "title": "Vectran liquid crystal polymer fibers datasheet (melt-spun LCP fibre, a different product form)",
      "type": "datasheet",
      "url": "https://colormatrix.polyone.com/sites/default/files/2021-06/fl.us-.datasheet-vectranr-lcp.pdf",
      "year": 2021
    }
  ],
  "gaps": [
    "No melting point, density or heat deflection value for Zenite or for a named Vectra B grade was found. The Celanese, Material Data Center and SpecialChem pages are behind a login or returned an error, and the UL Prospector page returned HTTP 403.",
    "No safety data sheet or GHS classification for an LCP grade was found. The hazard entry rests on the Goodfellow flammability rating only, and no decomposition products are documented.",
    "No atomic-oxygen erosion yield, outgassing (TML/CVCM) or radiation result for LCP was found. MISSE-16 names Zenite but reports results only for Kapton CS and Mylar MO21.",
    "Supply: no producer shares by country, feedstock abundance or critical-mineral listing were found for LCP. The supply entry is a placeholder and carries no share.",
    "limiting_oxygen_index is not a canonical name in spores/property-canon.yaml; it is used here as a snake_case name.",
    "Dielectric values are at different test frequencies: 3 and 0.02 at 1 MHz from the distributor, against 3.1, 0.002 and 0.0045 at RF and 110 GHz from the Georgia Tech paper. They are not directly comparable.",
    "The Goodfellow CTE of -80 ppm/K is printed without a direction or test; the IEEE overview gives 6 to 17 ppm/°C for LCP films, which is a film range and is not entered here.",
    "The Vectran datasheet gives a melt point of 350 °C in its table and 330 °C in its text. Neither is used, because Vectran is a fibre and not the Vectra moulding grade.",
    "No long-term heat-ageing, humid-ageing or hydrolysis study for an LCP grade was found. UV and chemical resistance are qualitative ratings with no exposure times.",
    "No Vectra B or Zenite property value was found. Vectra A950 is the only grade with a datasheet-level property table in the sources read."
  ],
  "story": {
    "why": "LCP is a melt-processed aromatic polyester chosen where high-frequency electrical behaviour and low moisture uptake matter. Its water absorption stays below 0.04 %, and its dielectric constant stays near 3.1 from RF up to 110 GHz. Commercial grades melt in a range of 280 to 350 °C, and the distributor rates the rod for upper working temperatures of 200 to 220 °C.",
    "uses": [
      {
        "where": "Radio-frequency circuits",
        "line": "Georgia Tech papers use LCP as a flexible RF substrate. One reports a dielectric constant of 3.1 that is nearly flat from RF to 110 GHz, with a loss tangent of 0.002 rising to 0.0045 at 110 GHz."
      },
      {
        "where": "Automotive radar",
        "line": "The IEEE Technology Navigator lists 77 GHz and 79 GHz as application frequencies for LCP circuits in automotive radar."
      },
      {
        "where": "Space flight test",
        "line": "Zenite, an LCP, was flown on the outside of the ISS in the MISSE-FF experiment from July 2022. The paper reports flight results for other materials, not for Zenite."
      }
    ],
    "can_do": [
      {
        "label": "Stable dielectric",
        "line": "The dielectric constant stays nearly flat across the RF range up to 110 GHz, as the paper states.",
        "benchmark": "dielectric_constant",
        "scope": "material",
        "value": "3.1"
      },
      {
        "label": "Heat tolerance",
        "line": "The distributor prints a heat deflection temperature of 220 °C at 0.45 MPa and 180 °C at 1.8 MPa for the Vectra A950 rod.",
        "benchmark": "heat_deflection_temperature",
        "scope": "material",
        "value": "220 °C"
      },
      {
        "label": "Low moisture uptake",
        "line": "Equilibrium water absorption is 0.03 % and the 24-hour value is 0.02 %, both as printed for the Vectra A950 rod.",
        "benchmark": "moisture_absorption",
        "scope": "material",
        "value": "0.03 %"
      },
      {
        "label": "Melting range",
        "line": "Commercial LCP grades melt in a class range of 280 to 350 °C, according to the IEEE overview. This range is not one grade's value.",
        "benchmark": "melting_point",
        "scope": "material",
        "value": "280 to 350 °C"
      }
    ],
    "compare": "LCP is a high-performance thermoplastic. The IEEE Technology Navigator contrasts it with polyimide, which can absorb up to 3 % of its weight in water and so shifts its high-frequency behaviour. LCP stays under 0.02 % in typical grades and keeps a stable dielectric constant. The comparison table below sets LCP against the same benchmarks used for the other polymers.",
    "compare_rows": [
      {
        "label": "Heat deflection temperature at 0.45 MPa",
        "benchmark": "heat_deflection_temperature",
        "scope": "material"
      },
      {
        "label": "Water absorption at equilibrium",
        "benchmark": "moisture_absorption",
        "scope": "material"
      },
      {
        "label": "Dielectric constant",
        "benchmark": "dielectric_constant",
        "scope": "material"
      }
    ],
    "handling": [
      "No safety data sheet was found for an LCP grade, so check the supplier's safety data sheet before handling.",
      "Keep the process below the decomposition temperature. Thermotropic LCPs are melt processed on conventional equipment.",
      "Design RF lines for extra loss at high temperature. Loss rose about 20% at 75 °C on the tested substrates."
    ],
    "good_for": [
      "Stable high-frequency behaviour. The dielectric constant stays near 3.1 from RF to 110 GHz.",
      "Low moisture uptake. Equilibrium water absorption is 0.03 % on the distributor's rod."
    ],
    "watch_out": [
      "Loss rises with temperature, about 20% more at 75 °C and 50% or more at 125 °C on the tested substrates.",
      "Space performance is unproven in the sources read. Zenite flew on MISSE-FF, but no LCP erosion or outgassing result was found.",
      "The rod grade has a low elongation at break of 3 % as printed, so it is not a flexible material in bulk form."
    ],
    "verdict": "LCP is the stable choice for low-loss, low-moisture RF substrates that stay within about 75 °C. Its space performance and grade-by-grade data remain open.",
    "recipe": {
      "line": "LCP is a partially crystalline aromatic polyester made from p-hydroxybenzoic acid and related aromatic monomers. Its rigid aromatic units keep the chains ordered in the melt, so the polymer is processed above its melting range.",
      "parts": [
        {
          "name": "p-Hydroxybenzoic acid",
          "role": "Main rigid monomer named in the composition description; it builds the rod-like backbone of the chain."
        },
        {
          "name": "Related aromatic monomers",
          "role": "Other aromatic acids or diols used with it. The exact mix is proprietary and is not given in the sources read."
        }
      ]
    },
    "risk_groups": [
      {
        "title": "For people",
        "lead": "No safety data sheet for an LCP grade was found. The only hazard data read is a flammability rating, so check the supplier's safety data sheet before handling.",
        "points": [
          {
            "label": "Burning",
            "line": "The distributor rates the Vectra A950 rod V0 at 0.8 mm, with a limiting oxygen index of 35 %. It resists flame, but the sources give no decomposition products for a fire."
          }
        ],
        "level": 0,
        "verdict": "No hazard classification found"
      },
      {
        "title": "If the part overheats",
        "lead": "These figures come from measured test structures, not from field incidents.",
        "points": [
          {
            "label": "Line loss",
            "line": "On 3- and 5-mil LCP substrates, transmission-line loss rose about 20% at 75 °C and 50% or more at 125 °C, relative to 25 °C."
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        "title": "Handling and processing",
        "points": [
          {
            "label": "Melt processing",
            "line": "LCP melts well below its decomposition temperature, so it can be melt processed on conventional equipment."
          }
        ]
      }
    ]
  },
  "updated": "2026-10-26",
  "review": {
    "status": "draft",
    "method": "assistant",
    "checked_values": 22,
    "unreachable": 3,
    "caveats": 2,
    "note": "Written by an AI assistant on 2026-10-26 from fetched pages. Values come from a distributor table, two Georgia Tech papers and an IEEE overview. Celanese, SpecialChem and UL Prospector pages were behind a login or returned an error, so no Vectra B or Zenite property value is included."
  },
  "sources": {
    "goodfellow-vectra-a950": {
      "title": "Vectra A950 LCP rod, Goodfellow product page with property table",
      "id": "Goodfellow Metals, Vectra A950 LCP rod (Vectra A grade, unfilled, 18 mm rod)",
      "url": "https://www.goodfellow.com/eu/vectra-a950-lcp-rod-group",
      "year": 2026,
      "kind": "datasheet",
      "license": "distributor product page, cited not reproduced"
    },
    "ieee-technav-lcp": {
      "title": "Liquid crystal polymers, IEEE Technology Navigator overview",
      "id": "IEEE Technology Navigator topic page",
      "url": "https://technav.ieee.org/topic/liquid-crystal-polymers/",
      "year": 2026,
      "kind": "web",
      "license": "IEEE overview page, cited not reproduced"
    },
    "wikipedia-lcp": {
      "title": "Liquid-crystal polymer, Wikipedia",
      "id": "Wikipedia article: Liquid-crystal polymer",
      "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquid-crystal_polymer",
      "year": 2026,
      "kind": "web",
      "license": "CC BY-SA (Wikipedia)"
    },
    "wikipedia-vectra": {
      "title": "Vectra (plastic), Wikipedia",
      "id": "Wikipedia article: Vectra (plastic)",
      "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vectra_(plastic)",
      "year": 2026,
      "kind": "web",
      "license": "CC BY-SA (Wikipedia)"
    },
    "vyas-aps07": {
      "title": "Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP): The Ultimate Solution for Low-Loss RF Packaging (APS 2007, Georgia Tech)",
      "id": "APS 2007, Vyas, Tentzeris group, Georgia Tech",
      "url": "https://tentzeris.ece.gatech.edu/APS07_Vyas.pdf",
      "year": 2007,
      "kind": "paper",
      "license": "author-hosted copy, cited not reproduced"
    },
    "thompson-mwcl": {
      "title": "High Temperature Dielectric Stability of Liquid Crystal Polymer at mm-Wave Frequencies (IEEE MWCL)",
      "id": "IEEE Microwave and Wireless Components Letters, Thompson, Papapolymerou, Tentzeris, 2005",
      "url": "https://tentzeris.ece.gatech.edu/MWCL_Dane_ThermalLCP_4_2005.pdf",
      "year": 2005,
      "kind": "paper",
      "license": "author-hosted copy, cited not reproduced"
    },
    "nasa-misse-16": {
      "title": "MISSE 16 Mission IOC II, NASA NTRS report on Kapton CS, Mylar MO21 and Zenite LCP",
      "id": "NASA NTRS 20230014252",
      "url": "https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/20230014252/downloads/JShah_MISSE-16%20Mission_IOC%20II_final.pdf",
      "year": 2023,
      "kind": "report",
      "license": "public domain (NASA)"
    },
    "vectran-lcp-fibre": {
      "title": "Vectran liquid crystal polymer fibers datasheet (melt-spun LCP fibre)",
      "id": "Vectran LCP fibre datasheet, ColorMatrix PDF",
      "url": "https://colormatrix.polyone.com/sites/default/files/2021-06/fl.us-.datasheet-vectranr-lcp.pdf",
      "year": 2021,
      "kind": "datasheet",
      "license": "supplier document, linked not reproduced"
    }
  },
  "license": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "url": "https://spacemushroom.com/profiles/lcp/"
}