G7 · matrix · default condition
G7 Silicone Matrix
Properties of the Silicone Matrix condition, compared with the other G7 grades.
Standard hot-pressed silicone/glass-cloth sheet — pick it when 200–220 °C continuous service plus high dielectric strength and arc/track resistance are required.
What is G7 Silicone Matrix?
G7 Silicone Matrix is G7 in the Silicone Matrix condition — standard hot-pressed silicone/glass-cloth sheet — pick it when 200–220 °C continuous service plus high dielectric strength and arc/track resistance are required. G7 Silicone Matrix has a tensile strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi), weaker than 59% of composite grades. The elastic modulus is 14 GPa (2.03 Msi). G7 Silicone Matrix has a density of 1.8 g/cm³ (0.065 lb/in³), heavier than 58% of composite grades.
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 25/100, worse than 76% of composite grades
G7 Silicone Matrix properties
Typical room-temperature values for G7 Silicone Matrix — 9 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every G7 grade. Each bar shows where the value sits among the composite grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical2
G7 Silicone Matrix has a density of 1.8 g/cm³ (0.065 lb/in³), heavier than 58% of composite grades.
Mechanical10
G7 Silicone Matrix has a tensile strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi), weaker than 59% of composite grades. The elastic modulus is 14 GPa (2.03 Msi).
Thermal8
G7 Silicone Matrix is rated for continuous service to 220°C (428 °F). It conducts heat at 0.3 W/m·K (0.173 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 62% of composite grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
G7 Silicone Matrix is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 15 kV/mm (381 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹¹ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (80/100), better than 54% of composite grades. UV resistance is very good.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of G7 Silicone Matrix takes about 110 MJ of energy and emits 7 kg of CO₂ — less than 61% of composite grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability2
G7 Silicone Matrix's machinability is fair (35/100, better than 50% of composite grades).
Common Calculations4
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other G7 grades and fills
G7 is also supplied in 1 other condition. The full side-by-side table is on the G7 overview.
- Silicone MatrixDefaultStandard hot-pressed silicone/glass-cloth sheet — pick it when 200–220 °C continuous service plus high dielectric strength and arc/track resistance are required.170 MPa tensile
Working with G7 Silicone Matrix
Is G7 easy to machine?
Machines like other glass laminates but is abrasive and dust-forming — use carbide or PCD tooling, sharp positive rake, high speed/low feed, vacuum extraction and respiratory protection; back up thin sheet to avoid edge chipping/delamination.
Can G7 be welded?
Not weldable (thermoset); join mechanically or with high-temperature silicone/epoxy adhesives after abrasion and primer, since cured silicone surfaces bond poorly.
Can G7 be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as fully cured flat sheet, rod and tube; no post-forming — cut, drill, punch (thin sheet, warm) or machine to shape.
What surface finishes work on G7?
Edges deburred/sanded; surface can be sealed or coated only with silicone-compatible primers — paint and most adhesives release poorly from the low-energy silicone surface.
G7 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| E-glass woven fabriccontinuous-filament woven glass cloth reinforcement | 60 – 75 | 68 |
| silicone (polysiloxane) resinthermoset matrix, fully cured | ≥ 25 (balance) | — |
G7 Silicone Matrix — frequently asked
What is G7 Silicone Matrix used for?
G7 Silicone Matrix is typically used for arc barriers in switchgear, high-temperature electrical insulators, industrial spacers and washers, bus bar supports, coil forms and terminal blocks and heater and oven insulation components. In short: silicone-glass thermal laminate.
What is the tensile strength of G7 Silicone Matrix?
G7 Silicone Matrix has a typical tensile strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) — weaker than 59% of composite grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.
Is G7 Silicone Matrix easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, better than 50% of composite grades). Machines like other glass laminates but is abrasive and dust-forming — use carbide or PCD tooling, sharp positive rake, high speed/low feed, vacuum extraction and respiratory protection; back up thin sheet to avoid edge chipping/delamination.
Can G7 Silicone Matrix be welded?
Not weldable (thermoset); join mechanically or with high-temperature silicone/epoxy adhesives after abrasion and primer, since cured silicone surfaces bond poorly.
What surface finishes work on G7 Silicone Matrix?
Edges deburred/sanded; surface can be sealed or coated only with silicone-compatible primers — paint and most adhesives release poorly from the low-energy silicone surface.
Can G7 Silicone Matrix be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as fully cured flat sheet, rod and tube; no post-forming — cut, drill, punch (thin sheet, warm) or machine to shape.
What is the maximum service temperature of G7 Silicone Matrix?
G7 Silicone Matrix is rated for continuous use to about 220°C (428 °F), and briefly to 260°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in G7 Silicone Matrix?
Yes — G7 Silicone Matrix is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- NEMA LI 1 — Industrial Laminating Thermosetting Products (grade G7) — NEMA (1998)
- ASTM D709 — Standard Specification for Laminated Thermosetting Materials — ASTM (2017)
- Silicone glass laminate G7 technical data — Norplex-Micarta (2022)
- Garolite G-7 sheet/rod properties — Professional Plastics / McMaster-Carr (2024)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.