Lexan 503R: specs and equivalent grades
NexPoint Materials (formerly SABIC) 10% glass-reinforced, flame retardant, UV-stabilized polycarbonate (PC) with internal mold release. Published data, grades from other producers to ask about, and how to request a quote from one gaylord.
Request a QuoteThe short answer
Lexan 503R is a 10% glass-reinforced polycarbonate (PC) that is flame retardant, UV stabilized and contains internal mold release, aimed at parts that need more stiffness and heat resistance with good impact. Lexan was a SABIC brand; since August 2026 it is sold by NexPoint Materials in the Americas and Europe, and SABIC still sells Lexan elsewhere. Published specific gravity is 1.25 (ASTM D792), flexural modulus is 3,450 MPa (ASTM D790), HDT is 142°C at 1.8 MPa (ASTM D648), and the sheet lists UL 94 V-0 at 1.52 mm and 5VA at 3.0 mm. The ISO sheet gives a melt volume rate of 8 cm³/10 min at 300°C / 572°F, 1.2 kg (ISO 1133). Grades from other producers to ask about include Makrolon 9415 and Panlite G-3410R. They are not identical, so compare the data sheets and run a trial before switching.
Also written as: LEXAN 503R resin. A distributor listing shows LEXAN 503RS (SABIC Europe) as a separate grade. Quote the full code and color from your drawing or bag label; color and additive suffixes change the grade.
Buying Lexan 503R: one gaylord to a railcar · supplier COA on every prime lot · ships from 22+ partner warehouse locations · a polymer chemist checks the grade code before we quote · we aim to quote within one to three business days
Have a part number or drawing callout?
Paste it as written. A polymer chemist will tell you which grade it calls for, suggest equivalents and quote it by email.
Lexan 503R specs from the data sheet
Typical values from SABIC data sheets for Lexan 503R (distributor copies of the ASTM sheet and the ISO sheet; NexPoint says existing SABIC documents stay valid until they are reissued under its name). The ASTM sheet does not list a melt flow, so the flow value below comes from the ISO sheet. Typical values are not specifications; the lot COA shows what you actually receive. Values only compare at the same test method and condition.
| Property | Value | Test method or note |
|---|---|---|
| Producer (brand owner) | NexPoint Materials in the Americas and Europe (formerly SABIC); SABIC elsewhere | Sheets show SABIC Innovative Plastics; SABIC closed the sale of its Americas and Europe engineering thermoplastics business on Aug 3, 2026 |
| Polymer | Polycarbonate (PC), 10 % glass fiber by weight, flame retardant, UV stabilized, internal mold release | ISO sheet: medium viscosity |
| Process | Injection molding | |
| Melt flow | MVR 8 cm³/10 min | 300°C / 572°F, 1.2 kg, ISO 1133 (ISO sheet) |
| Density | Specific gravity 1.25 (ASTM D792); 1.25 g/cm³ (ISO 1183) | |
| Mold shrinkage, flow, 3.2 mm | 0.20–0.40 % (ASTM sheet); 0.20–0.60 % (ISO sheet) | Producer internal method |
| Water absorption, 24 h / equilibrium, 23°C | 0.12 % / 0.31 % | ASTM D570 |
| Tensile strength at yield / break | 66.2 MPa / 55.2 MPa | ASTM D638, 5 mm/min |
| Tensile elongation at yield / break | 8 % / 15 % | ASTM D638 |
| Tensile modulus | 3,300 MPa | ISO 527 (ISO sheet) |
| Flexural modulus / strength | 3,450 MPa (500,000 psi) / 103 MPa | ASTM D790, 50 mm span |
| Notched Izod impact, 23°C | 110 J/m (ASTM D256); 10 kJ/m² (ISO 180/1A) | |
| Unnotched Izod impact, 23°C | 2,100 J/m | ASTM D4812 |
| HDT 0.45 MPa / 1.8 MPa, unannealed, 6.4 mm | 146°C / 295°F; 142°C / 288°F | ASTM D648 (ISO 75 at 1.8 MPa: 132°C) |
| Vicat softening temperature | 154°C | ASTM D1525, rate B, 50 N |
| CLTE, flow, -40 to 95°C | 0.000032 cm/cm/°C | ASTM E831 |
| Relative temperature index | 120°C electrical; 110°C impact; 125°C strength | UL 746 |
| Flammability | UL 94 V-0 at 1.52 mm; 5VA at 3.0 mm | UL 94 |
| Glow wire flammability index | 960°C at 1.0 mm | IEC 60695-2-12 (ISO sheet) |
| Oxygen index | 36 % | ASTM D2863 |
| Outdoor suitability | f1 | UL 746C |
| Drying | 121°C / 250°F for 3–4 h; max moisture 0.020 %; max drying time 48 h | Producer processing data (ASTM sheet) |
| Melt / mold temperature | 310–332°C (590–630°F) / 82–116°C (180–241°F) | Producer processing data (ASTM sheet); the ISO sheet gives 290–320°C and 80–120°C |
| Food contact | The data sheets make no food-contact statement. Ask for the producer’s regulatory letter for the exact grade and color. |
Source data sheets are listed at the bottom of this page. Confirm against the current sheet for your exact grade code and color.
Grades to ask about instead of Lexan 503R
These grades from other producers have similar published specs. None is a drop-in replacement: glass content and sizing, flame retardant packages, UL listings, UV stabilization and color differ. If your part, drawing or customer approval names Lexan 503R, any change needs your approval and usually a trial.
| Grade | Producer | Melt flow | Density | Key property | How it compares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Makrolon 9415 | Covestro | MVR 6.0 cm³/10 min; MFR 7.0 g/10 min (300°C / 572°F, 1.2 kg, ISO 1133) | 1.27 g/cm³ (ISO 1183) | 10 % glass fiber; UL 94 V-0 at 1.5 mm, 5VA at 3.0 mm; tensile modulus 3,800 MPa (ISO 527); notched Izod 10 kJ/m² (ISO 180, 3 mm); HDT 136°C at 1.8 MPa (ISO 75) | Closest match. Same glass level and the same UL 94 pattern on the sheet (V-0 at 1.5 mm, 5VA at 3.0 mm), with easy release. Higher viscosity than 503R (MVR 6 vs 8), opaque colors only, and the sheet does not list UV stabilization. Quote this alternative › |
| Panlite G-3410R | Teijin | Not published on the sheet copy | 1.27 g/cm³ (ISO 1183) | 10 % glass fiber; tensile modulus 3,700 MPa (ISO 527); notched Charpy 10 kJ/m² (ISO 179); HDT 144°C at 1.8 MPa (ISO 75); UL 94 V-2 at 0.8 mm, V-1 at 3.0 mm | Partial match. Same glass level, stiffness and heat class, but it is not V-0 or 5VA rated on the sheet and does not list UV stabilization or flame retardant. Use only where the drawing does not call for 503R’s flame rating. Expect imported supply; confirm origin. Quote this alternative › |
From each producer's published data. Brand owners and grade names change; confirm on the current data sheet.
Typical uses for Lexan 503R
SABIC describes 503R for applications that need high rigidity together with high heat resistance and impact performance. Its published data point to:
- Electrical housings, covers and components that need UL 94 V-0 at 1.5 mm or 5VA at 3 mm
- Stiff, dimensionally stable parts: flexural modulus 3,450 MPa and mold shrinkage of 0.20–0.40 % on the ASTM sheet
- Parts used outdoors: UL 746C f1 rating on the sheet
What to check before you switch
- Brand owner change: in the Americas and Europe, Lexan 503R now comes from NexPoint Materials. NexPoint says product formulations and specifications are unchanged and that existing SABIC data sheets and certificates remain valid while documents are reissued. Ask for the current sheet and UL file under the new name if your approval references the producer.
- Check the flame rating at your wall thickness and color. 503R lists V-0 at 1.52 mm and 5VA at 3.0 mm, and Makrolon 9415 matches that on its sheet; Panlite G-3410R does not. See UL 94 flame ratings explained.
- Glass-filled PC shrinks less and differently along and across flow than unfilled PC. Check warp and critical dimensions in a trial; see glass-filled plastics.
- Polycarbonate must be dry. The 503R sheet asks for 121°C / 250°F for 3–4 hours and 0.020 % maximum moisture; wet PC splays and loses impact strength. See our resin drying guide.
- Compare melt flow, density and impact only at the same test condition and method (ASTM vs. ISO results differ).
- Ask for the producer’s food-contact or regulatory letter for the exact grade if the part needs one.
- Run a trial lot and check shrinkage, cycle time, surface (glass at the surface) and flame performance before you switch production.
Buying Lexan 503R: price, lead time and lot size
- Lot size. From one gaylord to a railcar. See gaylord, LTL and truckload for typical weights per box.
- Where it ships from. 22+ partner warehouse locations. Material already in a partner warehouse usually moves sooner than a grade that has to come from the producer; your quote says which applies.
- Price. We do not publish prices because they move with feedstock, freight and order size. What moves your price most: lot size, color, ship-to region, and whether you need Lexan 503R itself or can accept a matched alternative. See how resin is priced (and our PC price per pound page) and the monthly market update.
- Paperwork. Supplier COA on every prime lot (what a COA shows). Ask for the producer’s regulatory letter or UL file if your part needs them.
- Trying an alternative? Start with one gaylord as a trial lot, molded and checked before you commit a full release.
- If Lexan 503R itself is not available. Some branded grades are sold only through the producer’s own channels or go on allocation. If we cannot source it, we tell you, then quote a matched alternative with a side-by-side comparison.
Send the grade code, your annual volume and ship-to location. A polymer chemist checks it before we quote; we have been in the resin business for 30+ years. For several grades at once, use the resin RFQ template.
Trade names belong to their owners. ResinBridge is not affiliated with these producers; grade names are used only to identify the material. Data reflects published sheets as of October 2026.
Sources
- SABIC LEXAN 503R ASTM data sheet (distributor copy)
- SABIC LEXAN 503R ISO data sheet (distributor copy)
- Distributor grade listing showing LEXAN 503RS
- NexPoint Materials transition hub
- SABIC: completion of Americas and Europe ETP divestment (Aug 2026)
- Covestro Makrolon 9415 product data
- Teijin Panlite G-3410R data sheet (distributor copy)
Common questions
What is Lexan 503R?
Lexan 503R is a 10% glass-reinforced polycarbonate that is flame retardant, UV stabilized and contains internal mold release. In the Americas and Europe it now comes from NexPoint Materials, the former SABIC engineering thermoplastics business.
What is the melt flow of Lexan 503R?
The ISO sheet lists a melt volume rate of 8 cm³/10 min at 300°C / 572°F, 1.2 kg (ISO 1133). The ASTM sheet does not list a melt flow.
What UL 94 rating does Lexan 503R have?
The data sheet lists UL 94 V-0 at 1.52 mm and 5VA at 3.0 mm. Check the UL Yellow Card for your exact color.
What is equivalent to Lexan 503R?
Grades from other producers to ask about include Makrolon 9415 and Panlite G-3410R. None is identical; Panlite G-3410R is not V-0 rated. Compare data sheets and run a trial, and get approval if your part names Lexan 503R.
Can ResinBridge supply Lexan 503R?
We quote Lexan 503R when our supply partners can source it. If they cannot, we say so up front and quote a matched alternative, named on the quote with its data sheet, so you can decide whether to trial it.
If your grade is not listed, tell us what you run. We source commodity, engineering and specialty resins.
Need Lexan 503R or an equivalent?
A polymer chemist reviews every request, then matches your grade or finds a matched alternative and prices it.
What to send for an accurate quote
- The grade name, from any supplier, or a data sheet
- Color (natural, black or a custom match)
- Fill type and percentage, if any
- Melt flow, if you know it
- Quantity for this order and what you use in a year
- Ship-to city and state or province
Quote Lexan 503R or a matched alternative
A polymer chemist checks the data sheet and tells you exactly what you would get before you order.
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