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G10-ESD vs Phenolic CE

Composite · grade comparison

G10-ESD and Phenolic CE are both composite grades. G10-ESD is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) against 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) for Phenolic CE, about 4.0 times as much. G10-ESD is the more ductile: elongation 2% versus 1.5% for Phenolic CE. Phenolic CE is lighter (1.37 g/cm³ vs 1.85 g/cm³ for G10-ESD) and G10-ESD is stiffer (20 GPa vs 7 GPa). On the shop floor, Phenolic CE machines more easily (very good vs fair).

G10-ESDChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

Phenolic CEChoose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part is machined in volume.

G10-ESD vs Phenolic CE: properties

G10-ESDPhenolic CE

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

20 GPa2.9 Msi
7 GPa1 Msi

Shear Modulus

5.5 GPa0.8 Msi
2.6 GPa0.38 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.15
0.25

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

300 MPa43.5 ksi
75 MPa10.9 ksi

Elongation at Break

2%
1.5%

Compressive Strength

450 MPa65.3 ksi
255 MPa37 ksi

Compressive Modulus

18 GPa2.6 Msi
6.5 GPa0.94 Msi

Flexural Strength

440 MPa63.8 ksi
120 MPa17.4 ksi

Flexural Modulus

19 GPa2.8 Msi
7.5 GPa1.1 Msi

Shear Strength

130 MPa18.9 ksi
95 MPa13.8 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

25 MPa·√m22.8 ksi·√in
2.5 MPa·√m2.3 ksi·√in

Izod Impact, Notched

480 J/m9 ft·lbf/in
130 J/m2.4 ft·lbf/in

Hardness, Rockwell M

110 HRM
105 HRM

Hardness, Rockwell R

125 HRR
120 HRR

Hardness, Shore D

—
90 Shore D

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

1.85 g/cm³0.07 lb/in³
1.37 g/cm³0.05 lb/in³

Glass Transition (Tg)

120°C248 °F
160°C320 °F

Water Absorption (24 h)

0.12%
1.1%

Water Absorption (Saturation)

0.5%
3.5%

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Specific Heat Capacity

1,100 J/kg·K0.26 BTU/lb·°F
1,400 J/kg·K0.33 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

14 µm/m·K7.8 µin/in·°F
25 µm/m·K13.9 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

130°C266 °F
125°C257 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa

215°C419 °F
180°C356 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa

200°C392 °F
165°C329 °F

Limiting Oxygen Index

23%
32%

Max Service Temperature (short-term)

155°C311 °F
175°C347 °F

Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 0.3 W/m·K0.17 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Min Service Temperature -60°C-76 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

1×10⁸ Ω·m3.94×10¹⁵ µΩ·in
1×10⁹ Ω·m3.94×10¹⁶ µΩ·in

Volume Resistivity

1×10¹⁰ Ω·cm
1×10¹¹ Ω·cm

Surface Resistivity

1×10⁷ Ω
1×10¹¹ Ω

Dielectric Strength

—
8 kV/mm203 V/mil

Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)

—
5.5

Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)

—
0.05

Comparative Tracking Index (CTI)

—
125 V

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

85 / 100
60 / 100

Same in both: UV / Weathering Resistance 40 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

38 / 100
80 / 100

Formability (cold)

3 / 100
8 / 100

Polishability

25 / 100
45 / 100

Same in both: Weldability 0 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

120 MJ/kg51,591 BTU/lb
80 MJ/kg34,394 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

7 kg CO₂/kg
4.2 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

200 L/kg24 gal/lb
3,000 L/kg359 gal/lb

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 0%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

162 kN·m/kg
55 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

10.8 MN·m/kg
5.1 MN·m/kg

Thermal Diffusivity

0.1 mm²/s
0.2 mm²/s

Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 0

Strength versus weight

Yield strength against density for every composite grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.

1101001,000510Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scalePhenolic CEG10-ESD

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityG10-ESDPhenolic CE
Default conditionEpoxy MatrixPhenolic Matrix
Relative cost$$$ Premium$$$ Premium
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Both are offered for CNC machining and Sheet metal. Both take the same 1 finish: Painting.

G10-ESD vs Phenolic CE — frequently asked

Is G10-ESD stronger than Phenolic CE?

Yes. G10-ESD has a typical tensile strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) against 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) for Phenolic CE — about 4.0 times as much.

Which is cheaper, G10-ESD or Phenolic CE?

Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$, premium); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.

Which is easier to machine, G10-ESD or Phenolic CE?

Phenolic CE. Its machinability rates very good (80/100) against fair (38/100) for G10-ESD.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in G10-ESD and Phenolic CE side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.

Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.