MATERIAL COMPARISON

Polycarbonate (PCB) vs. Polybutylene Terephthalate (PBT) vs. Urea

Properties

Urea

PCB
Injection molded
(Thermoplastic)

PBT
Injection molded
(Thermoplastic )

Resistance to
corrosives

Lowest Resistant

Moderately
Resistant

Most Resistant

Resistance to
Flame

Depends on grade

Depends on grade

*Most resistance

Heat
Resistance

Depends on grade

Depends on grade

**Generic rating

Flexible vs.
Rigid

Highly flexible

Moderately flexible

Least flexible

Up to140C

Up to 150C

Moisture
Absorption

High

Low

Low

IEC
Acceptance

Acceptable

Acceptable

Not acceptable

UL Listed

Yes

Yes

Yes

Molding Type

Relative
Thermal Index
(RTI)

Compression Molded
(Thermoset)

**100C

Please Note - all Leviton linear fluorescent sockets are PBT or Urea. CFL's are Polycarbonate.
* UL accepts Urea for all lampholder application despite the reduced flame rating.
**Although the temperature rating of Urea is 100 C it has performed at higher ratings.

Leviton Mfg. Co., Inc. Lighting & Energy Solutions

201 N.Service Rd., Melville, NY 11747-3138 Tech Line: 1-800-824-3005 Fax: 1-800-832-9538 www.leviton.com/les
2011 Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. All rights reserved. Subject to change without notice.

MATERIAL COMPARISON
Significance:
Molding Type
Different plastics can have different molding processes. Thermoplastic materials are molded by
heating the raw material to its melting point and injecting it into a mold, while thermoset materials are
molded by adding solid pellets to a mold and subjecting the material to a high level of compression.
Resistance to Corrosives
Industrial environments often contain airborne corrosive materials such as chemical solvents and
cleaners. These chemicals attack all three forms of plastic material indicated above, however some
materials are more resistant than others. Polycarbonate exhibits the least amount of resistance to
attack. In some cases, exposure to corrosive airborne chemicals can result in severe degradation of
properties leading to lampholder failure. Urea lampholders have been used in extreme corrosive
environments for over 50 years without reported failures. PBT has been used over the past 10
years with no reported failures.
Resistance to Flame
UL requires that all thermoplastic fluorescent lampholders be rated at least 94V-2. For use in
instant-start applications, thermoplastics must be rated at least 94V-0. The vertical flame
performance of the two thermoplastic materials indicated above is dependent upon the amount of
flame retardant added to the material. Thermoset materials are accepted by UL for use in both
applications based on their history of performance, despite the fact that they do not carry 94V-2 or
94V-0 flame ratings. IEC standards do not recognize thermoset materials as being acceptable
without passing the vertical flame tests.
Heat Resistance
UL requires that materials used in the body of a fluorescent lampholder be suitable to withstand
temperatures of at least 90 degrees C. Urea carries a generic rating of 100 degrees C, making it
acceptable from a heat resistance standpoint. Heat resistance of PCB and PBT materials are
dependent upon their formulations and can range from 80C to 140C for PCB, and 80C to 150C for
PBT.
Flexible vs. Rigid
Depending on formulation, all three materials will exhibit varying degrees of flexibility or rigid. Urea
is the least flexible of the materials above and generally not suitable for lampholders employing
snap-in legs and other movable or spring-like features. PCB and PBT may be quite flexible; however
the addition of glass in many formulations (used to enhance heat resistance and other properties)
may cause the material to become more brittle.
Relative Thermal Index
This is a specific maximum temperature rating assigned to a material by UL. See Heat Resistance
above.

Leviton Mfg. Co., Inc. Lighting & Energy Solutions

201 N.Service Rd., Melville, NY 11747-3138 Tech Line: 1-800-824-3005 Fax: 1-800-832-9538 www.leviton.com/les
2011 Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. All rights reserved. Subject to change without notice.

MATERIAL COMPARISON
Moisture Absorption
PBT and Urea exhibit little, if any sensitivity to moisture. PCB materials may absorb water in high
humidity conditions or become dry in low humidity conditions. Both conditions can affect the
mechanical and electrical properties of the material.

Leviton Mfg. Co., Inc. Lighting & Energy Solutions

201 N.Service Rd., Melville, NY 11747-3138 Tech Line: 1-800-824-3005 Fax: 1-800-832-9538 www.leviton.com/les
2011 Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. All rights reserved. Subject to change without notice.