Phenolic Laminate
A paper or cotton laminate in phenolic resin
Typical values for the temper in the title
Phenolic laminate is one of the oldest shop materials: layers of paper, cotton canvas or linen, impregnated with phenolic resin and pressed with heat. It is stiff, very easy to machine, quiet in operation and cheap, and electrically insulating.
The paper grades (X, XX, XXX) are used mainly for insulation and flat parts. The fabric grades (C/CE canvas, L/LE linen) are tougher and suit quiet gears, bushings and pulleys. Linen, with its fine weave, allows smaller details. The weakness: it absorbs more moisture than G-10, so its dimensions are less stable in humid environments.
Mechanical and physical properties
| Property | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength Rm | 65–140 MPa (by grade) | |
| Machinability | Good — dust, extraction | relative rating in the site database |
Structure: fiber and matrix
| Feature | Value | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Reinforcement | paper / cotton canvas / linen | by grade |
| Resin | phenolic | stiffness and insulation |
| Moisture absorption | higher than G-10 | dimensional change |
Typical values per producer data.
Constructions and versions
In laminates the choice is by reinforcement (glass cloth, paper, cotton) and resin. Each NEMA grade is also defined in a separate MIL-I-24768 slash sheet.
| Version | Properties | When to choose it |
|---|---|---|
| X / XX / XXX (paper) | insulation and flat parts; XXX for electrical insulation | insulators, plates |
| C / CE (canvas) | tough, impact resistant | gears, bushings |
| L / LE (linen) | fine weave, small details | small gears |
Applications
- Quiet gears
- Bushings and pulleys
- Electrical insulators
- Base plates and templates
- Wear strips and slides
Fabrication
Machining
Machines easily with ordinary tools. The dust is fine, so work with extraction.
Moisture
Absorbs moisture and swells slightly. For a precision part in humidity, G-10 is better.
E grades
The letter E (CE, LE, XXX) marks an electrical grade, with better insulation properties.
Compared with similar materials
| Material | Rm / Rp0.2 | Welding | When it is the better choice |
|---|---|---|---|
| G-10 / FR-4 | ≈275 MPa (lengthwise) | No | G-10 / FR-4: stronger, stable in humidity · material page |
| POM (Acetal) | 70 MPa | Ultrasonic | POM: an engineering plastic for gears · material page |
| PA6 (Nylon 6) | 75–80 MPa | Ultrasonic | PA6: nylon for gears · material page |
Common mistakes
Using it for a precision part in a humid environment
It absorbs moisture and changes dimensions.
Choosing a paper grade for a gear
The fabric grades (CE, LE) are tougher.
Choosing it for insulation at high heat
For heat, G-10, G-11 or G-7.
Equivalents, standards and supply
| NEMA | X, XX, XXX, C, CE, L, LE |
|---|---|
| MIL | MIL-I-24768/10–16 |
| Standards | NEMA LI 1 / MIL-I-24768/10–16 |
| Forms | sheet · rod · tube |
| Producers | Tufnol · Röchling · Norplex-Micarta |
Learn more
Values are typical and for comparison only. In composites, properties depend strongly on fiber direction, fiber content, layup and process. For design, rely on data for the specific laminate and tests. The standards mentioned are mainly test methods (ASTM D3039, D3410, D2344 and others). Sources: producer data and the METAL HUB materials database.
Updated: October 31, 2026