Hei-Cast 8960 Vacuum Casting Material
When safety regulations demand fire resistance, Hei-Cast 8960 is the industry-standard solution for vacuum casting. This specialized polyurethane resin is formulated to meet the stringent UL94 V-0 flammability rating, meaning it is self-extinguishing and will not sustain a flame. At JUCHENG, we utilize Hei-Cast 8960 to manufacture safety-critical prototypes that simulate the mechanical properties of Flame-Retardant ABS (FR-ABS). It is the essential material choice for pre-compliance testing in the aerospace, medical device, and consumer electronics sectors where fire safety is mandatory.
Hei-Cast 8960

Basic Characteristics & Composition

Hei-Cast 8960 is a high-performance system incorporating flame-retardant additives without compromising structural integrity.
  • UL94 V-0 Rating: The material is designed to stop burning within 10 seconds on a vertical specimen, preventing the spread of fire.
  • ABS Simulation: Apart from its fire properties, it behaves mechanically like a standard rigid ABS, offering good stiffness and durability.
  • Safety Compliance: Enables engineers to perform functional tests on prototypes that closely mimic the safety profile of the final injection-molded FR product.
  • Surface Finish: Cures to a solid, paintable surface similar to standard engineering plastics.
Hei-Cast 8960 prototype

Color Options

  • Standard: Beige / Off-White (Opaque).
  • Coloring: Can be pigmented, but heavy pigmentation might slightly affect the flame-retardant chemistry. We usually recommend painting the surface with FR-grade paints if specific colors are needed.
  • Finishing: Excellent adhesion for EMI/RFI shielding paints often used in conjunction with FR materials for electronics.

Key Technical Parameters

1.Mechanical Properties (Typical values):
Property Value Unit Standard
Hardness 78 - 82 Shore D JIS K 7215
Flexural Modulus 2,000 - 2,200 MPa JIS K 7171
Tensile Strength 55 - 6565 - 75 MPa JIS K 7113
Elongation at Break 5 - 10 % JIS K 7113
Heat Deflection Temp (HDT) 85 - 90 °C JIS K 7191
Flammability UL94 V-0 - UL Standard
Linear Shrinkage 0.3 - 0.4 % -
2. PROCESSING 
  • Mixing: The flame-retardant fillers can settle. Components must be stirred thoroughly before mixing to ensure V-0 performance.
  • Vacuum Casting: Standard vacuum casting process applies.
  • Pot Life: Approx. 6-8 minutes.
  • Demolding: 60-90 minutes at 60-70°C.
3. PRECAUTIONS:
  • Filler Sedimentation: If the material sits for a long time, the FR additives settle. JUCHENG technicians ensure re-homogenization before every cast.
  • Thickness: The V-0 rating is typically certified at specific thicknesses (e.g., 3mm). Thin walls may burn differently.
4. STORAGE:
  • Conditions: Store in a cool, dry place (15°C - 25°C).

Application Scenarios & Fields

Hei-Cast 8960 is strictly for applications requiring fire safety:
  • Aerospace Interiors: Seat parts, overhead bin latches, air vents requiring FAR compliance testing.
  • Medical Devices: Housings for electrical medical equipment, monitoring devices, cart components.
  • Electronics: Casings for power supplies, routers, servers, and high-voltage enclosures.
  • Public Transit: Interior panels for trains or buses where smoke/fire toxicity is a concern.

Vacuum Casting Process Compatibility

  • Silicone Tooling: Compatible with standard silicone. The FR fillers are non-abrasive to the soft mold.
  • Machining: Can be drilled and tapped for assembly.
  • Inserts: Frequently used with threaded brass inserts for assembling electronic enclosures.

Advantages vs. Limitations

Advantages Limitations
Fire Safety: Meets UL94 V-0 criteria (Self-extinguishing). Cost: Specialized FR resin is more expensive than standard ABS simulants.
Rigid & Durable: Good mechanical strength like ABS. Color: Harder to achieve vibrant custom colors due to FR additives; usually painted.
Compliance: Helps in early-stage safety certification. Density: Slightly denser/heavier than standard non-FR resins.
Paintability: Compatible with fire-retardant coatings.

Manufacturers & Alternatives

  • Manufacturer: Hei-Cast (H&K Ltd., Japan).
  • Alternatives at JUCHENG:
For high heat (but not V-0): We recommend Hei-Cast 8752.
For standard ABS (non-FR): We recommend Hei-Cast 3012.
For a European alternative: Check with us for Axson PX 225 availability.
Learn more about ABS type materials
Jucheng Precision Factory
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