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Phenolic, a type of industrial laminate, is a robust and compact material that is developed using a reinforcement and resin system. Industrial laminates like phenolic are commonly reinforced using a variety of materials like paper, cotton, or glass fabric. The resin system typically uses epoxy resin, phenolic resin, melamine resin, or silicone resin. These newly transformed layers add extra strength and stiffness to the material, and the unique construction makes phenolic a more cost-effective option than most thermoplastics used in the same application.

Benefits and Properties of Phenolic Plastic

Industrial laminates provide many benefits, but selecting a laminate with the right reinforcement and resin system is crucial. When choosing phenolic, one of its key advantages is its weight, which is about half as much as aluminum. Remarkably, even though phenolic weighs less than aluminum, it’s still able to maintain its exceptional physical toughness and offer resistance against abrasion, friction, impacts, and material fatigue.
Apart from their ease of machining, phenolics possess advantageous properties such as low water absorption and dissipation factors, corrosion resistance to various chemicals, and superior electrical characteristics across a wide range of temperatures and humidity levels. These material attributes make phenolics highly suitable for a diverse range of fabricated parts. Additionally, when treated with special flame-retardant epoxy resins, phenolic can acquire exceptional flame resistance.

Phenolic Product Options

With a variety of reinforcement and resin system options, industrial phenolic laminates can be produced in special grades to meet the needs of a variety of applications.

X, XX, and XXX Grade Phenolic – NEMA Grades X, XX, and XXX are paper-based phenolic. It is strong, stiff, and offers excellent dimensional stability. It is also very lightweight and economical. Paper reinforced phenolic is used for mechanical and electrical applications like washers, spacers, terminal boards, tabletops, insulators, panel boards, backer panels and other electrical components.
C and CE Cotton Phenolic – C and CE grade phenolic is a high-strength electrical grade composite comprised of cotton-cloth and phenolic resin. It is lightweight compared to the glass grades of material, easy to machine, and can be non-sparking. This grade of material possesses remarkable strength, and dimensional stability, and finds extensive use in industrial applications like gears, pulls, jigs, bearing and wear guides, wedges, shim-spacers, and electromechanical devices.
L and LE Grade Phenolic – The linen L and LE grade phenolic sheet is designed for applications that require enhanced machining capabilities. This product is comprised of a fine-weave linen fabric combined with a phenolic resin. LE phenolic is strong, easy to machine, and operates at reduced noise levels compared to metal. It is well suited for smaller and intricately shaped components like fine-tooth gears, pulleys, rollers, guides, and other precision parts.

Industrial Laminate Product Options

G-10 and FR4 – G-10 and FR4 are both made with woven glass fabric and an epoxy resin system. This grade offers consistent quality and excellent electrical properties in both dry and humid conditions. With its remarkable strength, impact resistance, and low water absorption, G-10 is well-suited for terminal boards, washers, sleeves, structural components, high temperature applications and more. Other epoxy grade of industrial laminates include G11 and FR5.
GPO-3 - Known for its exceptional thermal and electrical insulation properties, GPO-3 is ideal for a wide range of applications in industries such as electrical engineering and aerospace. Its high resistance to heat and flame, coupled with excellent mechanical strength, ensures reliable performance in demanding environments.

Common Applications of Phenolic Sheet

Phenolics can be found in many different industries and applications. Their versatility is highly regarded, especially for use in applications that require precision and electrical properties. As a result, phenolic is used across countless markets, including the electrical, construction, automotive, marine, and oil and gas industries.
Phenolic plastics are commonly used in applications such as:

On top of these, terminal boards, antenna insulators, spacers, cams, inserts, gaskets, rings, collars, and switch gears are also common applications made out of phenolic.

Additionally, phenolics are highly valued for their ability to provide protection against violent storms or ballistic forces. They are also utilized in textile bobbins, lap spools, and structural parts that demand excellent impact strength or where the size-to-strength ratio is of utmost importance.

Phenolic Standard Sizes and Custom Cut Services

Piedmont Plastics supplies industrial laminates in varying gauges and sizes. Although gauges vary based on grade of material, sheets can be produced as thin as .007” and as thick as 10”. For sheet sizes, industrial laminates are produced in 36” x 48” sheets up to 48” x 120” sheets. We also carry phenolic rod and tubing with varying diameters and wall thicknesses and in lengths up to 48”.
We also offer CNC-cutting services to meet your exact specifications. Have your phenolic sheet cut to size when you order from Piedmont Plastics today! We are prepared to meet your phenolic needs for nearly every application.

Learn More About Phenolic

At Piedmont Plastics, our team of experienced industry professionals is committed to delivering tailored solutions for your specific applications. Our focus on the industrial market is evident with our array of available materials and team of experts who are fully prepared to provide comprehensive solutions to those needing materials like phenolic.