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G7 vs Phenolic CE

Composite · grade comparison

G7 and Phenolic CE are both composite grades. G7 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) against 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) for Phenolic CE, about 127% more. Phenolic CE is lighter (1.37 g/cm³ vs 1.8 g/cm³ for G7) and G7 is stiffer (14 GPa vs 7 GPa). On the shop floor, Phenolic CE machines more easily (very good vs fair).

G7Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.

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

G7 vs Phenolic CE: properties

G7Phenolic CE

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

14 GPa2 Msi
7 GPa1 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.17
0.25

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

170 MPa24.7 ksi
75 MPa10.9 ksi

Compressive Strength

240 MPa34.8 ksi
255 MPa37 ksi

Compressive Modulus

12 GPa1.7 Msi
6.5 GPa0.94 Msi

Flexural Strength

172 MPa24.9 ksi
120 MPa17.4 ksi

Flexural Modulus

13 GPa1.9 Msi
7.5 GPa1.1 Msi

Izod Impact, Notched

320 J/m6 ft·lbf/in
130 J/m2.4 ft·lbf/in

Hardness, Rockwell M

100 HRM
105 HRM

Shear Modulus

—
2.6 GPa0.38 Msi

Elongation at Break

—
1.5%

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

—
2.5 MPa·√m2.3 ksi·√in

Hardness, Shore D

—
90 Shore D

Hardness, Rockwell R

—
120 HRR

Same in both: Shear Strength 95 MPa13.8 ksi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Water Absorption (24 h)

0.2%
1.1%

Glass Transition (Tg)

—
160°C320 °F

Water Absorption (Saturation)

—
3.5%

Thermal

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

Specific Heat Capacity

1,000 J/kg·K0.24 BTU/lb·°F
1,400 J/kg·K0.33 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

12 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F
25 µm/m·K13.9 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

220°C428 °F
125°C257 °F

Limiting Oxygen Index

40%
32%

Max Service Temperature (short-term)

260°C500 °F
175°C347 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa

—
180°C356 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa

—
165°C329 °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

1×10¹¹ Ω·m3.94×10¹⁸ µΩ·in
1×10⁹ Ω·m3.94×10¹⁶ µΩ·in

Dielectric Strength

15 kV/mm381 V/mil
8 kV/mm203 V/mil

Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)

4.2
5.5

Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)

0.003
0.05

Volume Resistivity

1×10¹³ Ω·cm
1×10¹¹ Ω·cm

Surface Resistivity

1×10¹² Ω
1×10¹¹ Ω

Comparative Tracking Index (CTI)

600 V
125 V

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

80 / 100
60 / 100

UV / Weathering Resistance

75 / 100
40 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

35 / 100
80 / 100

Polishability

25 / 100
45 / 100

Weldability

—
0 / 100

Formability (cold)

—
8 / 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

—
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)

94 kN·m/kg
55 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

7.8 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 scaleG7Phenolic CE

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityG7Phenolic CE
Default conditionSilicone 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.

G7 vs Phenolic CE — frequently asked

Is G7 stronger than Phenolic CE?

Yes. G7 has a typical tensile strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) against 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) for Phenolic CE — about 127% more.

Which is cheaper, G7 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, G7 or Phenolic CE?

Phenolic CE. Its machinability rates very good (80/100) against fair (35/100) for G7.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in G7 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.