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G10 FR5

Flame-retardant grade

ASTM D709

Choose for hot electrical apparatus that must also meet UL 94 V-0.

CNC machiningSheet metalPremium cost $$$

Values for the FR5 condition

Other G10 grades and fills

G10 is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at G10.

Compare all 4 grades and fillsHide
Grade · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %Hardness
flame-retardant (brominated) glass/epoxy, UL 94 V-0
Pick when a UL 94 V-0 rating or PCB-compatible laminate is required; mechanical properties are essentially G10-like.—3001.7110 HRM
FR5This page
flame-retardant high-temperature glass/epoxy (G11 + V-0)
Choose for hot electrical apparatus that must also meet UL 94 V-0.—3001.6112 HRM
standard G-10 continuous-filament glass cloth / epoxy laminate
Default choice for structural/insulating machined parts where flame rating is not required and service stays below ~130 °C.—3101.8110 HRM
cryogenic-grade glass/epoxy laminate
Specify for superconducting-magnet and LHe/LN2 hardware: controlled resin system and lay-up qualified down to 4 K.—4151.9110 HRM

What is G10 FR5?

G10 FR5 is G10 in the FR5 grade — choose for hot electrical apparatus that must also meet UL 94 V-0. G10 FR5 has a tensile strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi), stronger than 53% of composite grades. Elongation at break is 1.6% and the elastic modulus is 22 GPa (3.19 Msi). G10 FR5 has a density of 1.8 g/cm³ (0.065 lb/in³), heavier than 59% of composite grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 170°C (338 °F). Epoxy Matrix is the default condition FabDigit quotes; FR5 is available on request or by drawing note.

Limitations

  • Hard to polish — 25/100, worse than 76% of composite grades

G10 FR5 properties

Typical room-temperature values for G10 FR5; 19 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are G10 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among composite grades.

Physical4

G10 FR5 has a density of 1.8 g/cm³ (0.065 lb/in³), heavier than 59% of composite grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 170°C (338 °F).

Density1.8 g/cm³0.07 lb/in³
Glass Transition (Tg)170°C338 °F
Water Absorption (24 h)0.15%
Water Absorption (Saturation)0.6%

Mechanical13

G10 FR5 has a tensile strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi), stronger than 53% of composite grades. Elongation at break is 1.6% and the elastic modulus is 22 GPa (3.19 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus22 GPa3.2 Msi
Shear Modulus5 GPa0.73 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.14
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)300 MPa43.5 ksi
Elongation at Break1.6%
Compressive Strength460 MPa66.7 ksi
Compressive Modulus18 GPa2.6 Msi
Flexural Strength460 MPa66.7 ksi
Flexural Modulus21 GPa3 Msi
Shear Strength145 MPa21 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)15 MPa·√m13.7 ksi·√in
Izod Impact, Notched400 J/m7.5 ft·lbf/in
Hardness, Rockwell M112 HRM

Thermal8

G10 FR5 is rated for continuous service to 155°C (311 °F). It conducts heat at 0.33 W/m·K (0.191 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 53% of composite grades. Thermal expansion is 14 µm/m·K (7.78 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity0.33 W/m·K0.19 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity1,100 J/kg·K0.26 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)14 µm/m·K7.8 µin/in·°F
Max Service Temperature (continuous)155°C311 °F
Min Service Temperature-60°C-76 °F
Flammability (UL 94)V-0
Limiting Oxygen Index33%
Max Service Temperature (short-term)180°C356 °F

Electrical7

G10 FR5 is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 20 kV/mm (508 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹² Ω·m.

Electrical Resistivity1×10¹² Ω·m3.94×10¹⁹ µΩ·in
Dielectric Strength20 kV/mm508 V/mil
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)5
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)0.022
Volume Resistivity1×10¹⁴ Ω·cm
Surface Resistivity1×10¹³ Ω
Comparative Tracking Index (CTI)200 V

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is excellent (85/100), better than 65% of composite grades. UV resistance is fair.

Corrosion ResistanceExcellent85/100
UV / Weathering ResistanceFair35/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryGood against water, dilute acids, salts, oils, fuels and most solvents; attacked by hot concentrated acids/alkalis and swelled by strong polar solvents (ketones, chlorinated); surface resin degrades under prolonged UV.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of G10 FR5 takes about 110 MJ of energy and emits 7 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of composite grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)110 MJ/kg47,292 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)7 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water200 L/kg24 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content0%

Manufacturability4

G10 FR5's machinability is fair (42/100, better than 58% of composite grades); weldability not recommended (0/100); formability not recommended (0/100).

MachinabilityFair42/100
WeldabilityNot recommended0/100
Formability (cold)Not recommended0/100
PolishabilityPoor25/100

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with G10 FR5

Is G10 easy to machine?

Very abrasive — use sharp carbide or PCD/diamond tooling, high speed, low feed, climb-mill and back the exit side to prevent delamination; dust extraction and respiratory protection are mandatory.

Can G10 be welded?

Not weldable (thermoset); join by bonding with epoxy/acrylic structural adhesives or by bolting with washers to spread load.

Can G10 be formed, bent or molded?

Supplied fully cured; cannot be thermoformed or post-formed — parts are produced by cutting, milling, drilling, waterjet or laser (laser leaves charring).

What surface finishes work on G10?

Sanding/sealing with epoxy or polyurethane topcoat improves moisture and UV performance; deburr holes and seal cut edges to limit wicking; no plating without special activation.

G10 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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
E-glass woven clothcontinuous-filament glass fabric (e.g. 7628/2116 style)50 – 6558
epoxy resin (DGEBA + hardener)non-flame-retarded for G10; brominated for FR-4≥ 35 (balance)—

G10 FR5 — frequently asked

What is G10 FR5 used for?

G10 FR5 is typically used for electrical insulators and standoffs, knife handles and scales, transformer and coil spacers, switchgear barriers and terminal strips, cryogenic structural supports (G10-CR) and machine guards and non-conductive fixture plates. In short: premium electrical glass laminate.

What is the tensile strength of G10 FR5?

G10 FR5 has a typical tensile strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) — stronger than 53% of composite grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.

Is G10 FR5 easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated fair (42/100, better than 58% of composite grades). Very abrasive — use sharp carbide or PCD/diamond tooling, high speed, low feed, climb-mill and back the exit side to prevent delamination; dust extraction and respiratory protection are mandatory.

Can G10 FR5 be welded?

Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (0/100). Not weldable (thermoset); join by bonding with epoxy/acrylic structural adhesives or by bolting with washers to spread load.

What surface finishes work on G10 FR5?

Sanding/sealing with epoxy or polyurethane topcoat improves moisture and UV performance; deburr holes and seal cut edges to limit wicking; no plating without special activation.

Can G10 FR5 be formed, bent or molded?

Supplied fully cured; cannot be thermoformed or post-formed — parts are produced by cutting, milling, drilling, waterjet or laser (laser leaves charring).

What is the maximum service temperature of G10 FR5?

G10 FR5 is rated for continuous use to about 155°C (311 °F), and briefly to 180°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

Can FabDigit make parts in G10 FR5?

Yes — G10 FR5 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

  1. NEMA LI 1 — Industrial Laminated Thermosetting Products — NEMA (1998)
  2. MIL-I-24768/2 (GEE) Plastic Sheet, Laminated, Glass Cloth, Epoxy — U.S. DoD (1994)
  3. Garolite G10/FR4 laminate datasheets — Professional Plastics / Current Inc. (2023)
  4. Handbook on Materials for Superconducting Machinery (G-10CR data) — NIST/Battelle (1977)

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.