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G11 vs Phenolic CE

Composite · grade comparison

G11 and Phenolic CE are both composite grades. G11 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) against 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) for Phenolic CE, about 4.5 times as much. G11 is the more ductile: elongation 1.8% versus 1.5% for Phenolic CE. Phenolic CE is lighter (1.37 g/cm³ vs 1.85 g/cm³ for G11) and G11 is stiffer (22 GPa vs 7 GPa). On the shop floor, Phenolic CE machines more easily (very good vs fair).

G11Choose 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.

G11 vs Phenolic CE: properties

G11Phenolic CE

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

22 GPa3.2 Msi
7 GPa1 Msi

Shear Modulus

5.5 GPa0.8 Msi
2.6 GPa0.38 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.13
0.25

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

340 MPa49.3 ksi
75 MPa10.9 ksi

Elongation at Break

1.8%
1.5%

Compressive Strength

450 MPa65.3 ksi
255 MPa37 ksi

Compressive Modulus

20 GPa2.9 Msi
6.5 GPa0.94 Msi

Flexural Strength

450 MPa65.3 ksi
120 MPa17.4 ksi

Flexural Modulus

22 GPa3.2 Msi
7.5 GPa1.1 Msi

Shear Strength

140 MPa20.3 ksi
95 MPa13.8 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

20 MPa·√m18.2 ksi·√in
2.5 MPa·√m2.3 ksi·√in

Izod Impact, Notched

400 J/m7.5 ft·lbf/in
130 J/m2.4 ft·lbf/in

Hardness, Shore D

88 Shore D
90 Shore D

Hardness, Rockwell M

110 HRM
105 HRM

Hardness, Rockwell R

—
120 HRR

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Glass Transition (Tg)

150°C302 °F
160°C320 °F

Water Absorption (24 h)

0.1%
1.1%

Water Absorption (Saturation)

0.35%
3.5%

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

0.33 W/m·K0.19 BTU/hr·ft·°F
0.3 W/m·K0.17 BTU/hr·ft·°F

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)

180°C356 °F
125°C257 °F

Min Service Temperature

-196°C-321 °F
-60°C-76 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa

200°C392 °F
165°C329 °F

Limiting Oxygen Index

22%
32%

Max Service Temperature (short-term)

220°C428 °F
175°C347 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa

—
180°C356 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

1×10¹² Ω·m3.94×10¹⁹ µΩ·in
1×10⁹ Ω·m3.94×10¹⁶ µΩ·in

Dielectric Strength

16 kV/mm406 V/mil
8 kV/mm203 V/mil

Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)

5.2
5.5

Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)

0.02
0.05

Volume Resistivity

1×10¹⁴ Ω·cm
1×10¹¹ Ω·cm

Surface Resistivity

1×10¹³ Ω
1×10¹¹ Ω

Comparative Tracking Index (CTI)

200 V
125 V

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

88 / 100
60 / 100

UV / Weathering Resistance

45 / 100
40 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

45 / 100
80 / 100

Formability (cold)

3 / 100
8 / 100

Polishability

30 / 100
45 / 100

Same in both: Weldability 0 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

110 MJ/kg47,292 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)

184 kN·m/kg
55 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

11.9 MN·m/kg
5.1 MN·m/kg

Same in both: Thermal Diffusivity 0.2 mm²/s · 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 scaleG11Phenolic CE

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityG11Phenolic 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.

G11 vs Phenolic CE — frequently asked

Is G11 stronger than Phenolic CE?

Yes. G11 has a typical tensile strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) against 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) for Phenolic CE — about 4.5 times as much.

Which is cheaper, G11 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, G11 or Phenolic CE?

Phenolic CE. Its machinability rates very good (80/100) against fair (45/100) for G11.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in G11 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.