How Much Do V-0 Compounds Differ in Price? PA6 V-0, Reinforced PC and PC/ABS V-0 Compared

What drives the price

The price of a V-0 compound is built from four parts: base resin, flame-retardant package (FR plus synergist plus anti-drip), reinforcing or toughening fillers, and processing aids plus colour masterbatch. Resin price movement matters less than you think; the FR package often accounts for over half of the incremental cost.

Halogenated systems use less additive and work more efficiently, so they cost clearly less than halogen-free. Halogen-free electrical applications add stabilisers and stricter dispersion requirements, pushing the quote higher.

Cost structure across the three routes

PA6 V-0: nylon itself is mid-priced, but the flame retardant must survive nylon processing temperatures above 250 °C, normally requiring brominated polystyrene or red phosphorus systems — narrow processing windows and higher cost.

Reinforced PC V-0: PC resin is already expensive, glass fibre then demands additional flame retardant to counter the wick effect plus anti-drip additive, making this usually the most expensive of the three.

PC/ABS V-0: the ABS phase lowers overall resin cost and FR loading stays moderate, typically giving the best cost-performance of the three — provided the part does not need heat resistance above 115 °C.

Hidden costs beyond the tonne price

PA6 must be dried before moulding and degrades quickly after moisture uptake, limiting regrind ratios. PC families need higher mould temperatures and longer cooling, extending cycle time and raising piece cost directly.

Flame retardants can also release corrosive gases during long residence times, so venting and corrosion protection on the tool are needed — an overlooked maintenance cost.