Phenolic/Laminate

Industry Tradenames: Acculam Epoxyglas G-10/FR-4, Acculam Epoxyglas G-ll/FR-5 Acculam Phenolfab L/LE, Acculam Phenolkraft, Acculam Phenolfab C/CE Acculam Phenolon Nl, Acculam Polymat, Acculam Polymat HT, Acculam Siliglas G7, Bakelite, Industrial Laminate, Fila Wound, Franklin Fibre Micarta, Nevamar, Norplex, Pennite, Spauldite, Synthane, Thermosets C, CE, L, LE, G-5, G-7, G-9, G-10, G-11, FR-4, XXX, XX, Paper

Material Description

Phenolics are a laminated plastic created by the impregnation of layers of a substrate with a resin then formed utilizing heat and pressure. The resins are generally Phenolic, silicone, melamine or epoxies while the substrate materials range from paper and cotton to glass. The resulting material is extremely versatile and used in a variety of applications. The notable properties of laminates include impressive resistance to shock, heat, stress, and corrosive chemicals. Phenolics are able to be machined, drilled, punched, sanded, tapped, turned, milled, sheared and cut. The dielectric properties make this an excellent insulator which is used in applications from electrical transformers to circuit boards.

Unlike other groups of plastic materials, thermoset plastic industrial laminates have their own standards which are published by NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association). In concert with member manufacturers, NEMA standards are set and “minimum values” published.

The most commonly used NEMA thermoset laminate grades are as follows:

• C, CE (Canvas Cotton-Cloth Reinforced Phenolic) Medium weave cloth
• G-10 / FR-4 (Glass-Cloth Reinforced Epoxy) . G-11 / FR-5 (like G-10 but higher temp)
• G-5 / G-9 (Glass-Cloth Reinforced Melamine) . G-7 (Glass Cloth Reinforced Silicone)
• GPO-1, GPO-2, GPO-3 (Glass-Mat Reinforced Polyester)
• L, LE (Linen Cotton-Cloth Reinforced Phenolic) Fine weave cloth
• X, XX, XXX (Paper Reinforced Phenolic / the number of X’s the better the electrical properties.)