Phenolic CE · matrix · default condition
Phenolic CE Phenolic Matrix
Properties of the Phenolic Matrix condition, compared with the other Phenolic CE grades.
Standard commercial CE sheet/rod/tube: pick for gears, bushings, jigs and mechanical spacers needing good machined finish and impact strength.
What is Phenolic CE Phenolic Matrix?
Phenolic CE Phenolic Matrix is Phenolic CE in the Phenolic Matrix condition — standard commercial CE sheet/rod/tube: pick for gears, bushings, jigs and mechanical spacers needing good machined finish and impact strength. Phenolic CE Phenolic Matrix has a tensile strength of 75 MPa (10.9 ksi), weaker than 84% of composite grades. Elongation at break is 1.5% and the elastic modulus is 7 GPa (1.02 Msi). Phenolic CE Phenolic Matrix has a density of 1.37 g/cm³ (0.0495 lb/in³), lighter than 68% of composite grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 160°C (320 °F).
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 4.2 kg CO₂/kg, better than 88% of composite grades
- Easy to machine — 80/100, better than 85% of composite grades
Limitations
- Low stiffness — 7 GPa (1.02 Msi), worse than 79% of composite grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 60/100, worse than 79% of composite grades
Phenolic CE Phenolic Matrix properties
Typical room-temperature values for Phenolic CE Phenolic Matrix — 8 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every Phenolic CE grade. Each bar shows where the value sits among the composite grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical4
Phenolic CE Phenolic Matrix has a density of 1.37 g/cm³ (0.0495 lb/in³), lighter than 68% of composite grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 160°C (320 °F).
Mechanical12
Phenolic CE Phenolic Matrix has a tensile strength of 75 MPa (10.9 ksi), weaker than 84% of composite grades. Elongation at break is 1.5% and the elastic modulus is 7 GPa (1.02 Msi).
Thermal9
Phenolic CE Phenolic Matrix is rated for continuous service to 125°C (257 °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 25 µm/m·K (13.9 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
Phenolic CE Phenolic Matrix is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 8 kV/mm (203.2 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10⁹ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (60/100), worse than 79% of composite grades. UV resistance is fair.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Phenolic CE Phenolic Matrix takes about 80 MJ of energy and emits 4.2 kg of CO₂ — less than 84% of composite grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability2
Phenolic CE Phenolic Matrix's machinability is very good (80/100, better than 85% 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 Phenolic CE grades and fills
Phenolic CE is also supplied in 2 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the Phenolic CE overview.
- Phenolic MatrixDefaultStandard commercial CE sheet/rod/tube: pick for gears, bushings, jigs and mechanical spacers needing good machined finish and impact strength.75 MPa tensile
- C-COARSEChoose the coarse-weave C grade for thick, heavily loaded mechanical parts where maximum impact strength matters more than machined surface finish.70 MPa tensile
- BEARING-GRPick for water-lubricated or marginally lubricated bushings, roll-neck bearings and wear pads where a low-friction, self-lubricating surface is needed.65 MPa tensile
Working with Phenolic CE Phenolic Matrix
Is Phenolic CE easy to machine?
Machines and taps cleanly with carbide or PCD tools at high speed and low feed; dust is abrasive and irritant, so use extraction and expect tool wear rather than gumming.
Can Phenolic CE be welded?
Thermoset laminate cannot be welded or heat-formed; join by bolting, riveting or epoxy adhesive bonding after abrading the surface.
Can Phenolic CE be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied only as press-cured sheet, rod and tube; thin sheet (<1.6 mm) can be punched warm (~90–120 °C), thicker stock must be machined to shape.
What surface finishes work on Phenolic CE?
Sand and seal cut edges (varnish/epoxy) to limit moisture pickup; can be painted after abrasion, but not platable and only moderately polishable due to fabric texture.
Phenolic CE 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 |
|---|---|---|
| phenol-formaldehyde resinresole/novolac phenolic binder, fully cured | 35 – 48 | 42 |
| cotton fabric (fine weave)plain-weave cotton cloth, ~4 oz/yd² class for CE | ≥ 52 (balance) | — |
Phenolic CE Phenolic Matrix — frequently asked
What is Phenolic CE Phenolic Matrix used for?
Phenolic CE Phenolic Matrix is typically used for precision gears and pinions, bushings and plain bearings, electrical insulators and terminal boards, wear pads and guide strips, cam followers and timing gears and machine tool slides and soft jaws. In short: cotton phenolic gear stock.
What is the tensile strength of Phenolic CE Phenolic Matrix?
Phenolic CE Phenolic Matrix has a typical tensile strength of 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) — weaker than 84% of composite grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is Phenolic CE Phenolic Matrix easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (80/100, better than 85% of composite grades). Machines and taps cleanly with carbide or PCD tools at high speed and low feed; dust is abrasive and irritant, so use extraction and expect tool wear rather than gumming.
Can Phenolic CE Phenolic Matrix be welded?
Thermoset laminate cannot be welded or heat-formed; join by bolting, riveting or epoxy adhesive bonding after abrading the surface.
What surface finishes work on Phenolic CE Phenolic Matrix?
Sand and seal cut edges (varnish/epoxy) to limit moisture pickup; can be painted after abrasion, but not platable and only moderately polishable due to fabric texture.
Can Phenolic CE Phenolic Matrix be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied only as press-cured sheet, rod and tube; thin sheet (<1.6 mm) can be punched warm (~90–120 °C), thicker stock must be machined to shape.
What is the maximum service temperature of Phenolic CE Phenolic Matrix?
Phenolic CE Phenolic Matrix is rated for continuous use to about 125°C (257 °F), and briefly to 175°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in Phenolic CE Phenolic Matrix?
Yes — Phenolic CE Phenolic 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
- ASTM D709 — Standard Specification for Laminated Thermosetting Materials — ASTM International (2017)
- NEMA LI 1 — Industrial Laminated Thermosetting Products — NEMA (1998)
- ASM Engineered Materials Handbook, Vol. 2: Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
- Canvas phenolic (Grade C/CE) laminate datasheets — Norplex-Micarta / Franklin Fibre-Lamitex (2023)
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.