XXP
ASTM D709 Grade XXP, D709 Type XXP
XXP is the punching condition of the paper-base phenolic family to ASTM D709 Grade XXP, formulated for clean blanked edges with improved moisture resistance and dielectric strength compared with Grade XX.
Reference datasheet — XXP is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
XXP grades and fills
XXP is supplied in 2 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 2 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Flame-retardant paper-phenolic | Pick when a UL 94 V-0 rating is mandatory in appliance or consumer-electronics enclosures; slightly lower punchability and impact than natural XXP. | 76 | 1.1 | 102 HRM | |
Hot-punch stock | Same laminate specified for thicker sections (>1.6 mm) that must be warmed before punching to avoid edge cracking and delamination. | 80 | 1.3 | 100 HRM |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways XXP is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
XPC | Copper-clad punching-grade paper phenolic | Surface finish |
STDDefault | Standard unclad XXP sheet | Standard supply |
What is XXP?
XXP is the punching condition of the paper-base phenolic family to ASTM D709 Grade XXP, formulated for clean blanked edges with improved moisture resistance and dielectric strength compared with Grade XX. It is bought as pressed flat sheet for high-volume punched insulation, with flame-retardant, XPC and high-pressure conditions on file. Tensile strength is about 83 MPa — below Grade XX — with service to roughly 120 °C and a machinability score of 75. It is neither weldable nor thermoformable; where mechanical load or higher temperature dominates, move to cotton phenolic (L/LE) or glass-epoxy G10. XXP has a density of 1.35 g/cm³ (0.0488 lb/in³), lighter than 75% of composite grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 155°C (311 °F). XXP has a tensile strength of 83 MPa (12 ksi), weaker than 76% of composite grades. The elastic modulus is 8 GPa (1.16 Msi).
What is XXP used for?
- precision punched insulators
- terminal boards
- relay bases
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 3.2 kg CO₂/kg, better than 95% of composite grades
- Easy to machine — 75/100, better than 79% of composite grades
- Lightweight — 1.35 g/cm³ (0.0488 lb/in³), better than 75% of composite grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 55/100, worse than 87% of composite grades
- Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 78% of composite grades
- Poor heat conductor — 0.25 W/m·K (0.144 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 76% of composite grades
- Hard to polish — 25/100, worse than 76% of composite grades
XXP properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among composite grades.
Physical4
XXP has a density of 1.35 g/cm³ (0.0488 lb/in³), lighter than 75% of composite grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 155°C (311 °F).
Mechanical10
XXP has a tensile strength of 83 MPa (12 ksi), weaker than 76% of composite grades. The elastic modulus is 8 GPa (1.16 Msi).
Thermal8
XXP is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 0.25 W/m·K (0.144 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 76% of composite grades. Thermal expansion is 25 µm/m·K (13.9 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
XXP is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 20 kV/mm (508 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10⁹ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 87% of composite grades. UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of XXP takes about 62 MJ of energy and emits 3.2 kg of CO₂ — less than 95% of composite grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability2
XXP's machinability is very good (75/100, better than 79% of composite grades).
Common Calculations4
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the composite family
Yield strength against density for every composite grade FabDigit runs. XXP is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with XXP
Is XXP easy to machine?
Drills, saws and turns easily with carbide tooling and high rake; dust is abrasive and irritating, so vacuum extraction is required and coolant is avoided to keep the paper core dry.
Can XXP be welded?
Not weldable — thermoset laminate; join by bonding (epoxy), riveting or mechanical fastening.
Can XXP be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as pressed flat sheet; it is not thermoformable but is designed to be blanked/punched cold in thin gauges and at 60–110 °C above roughly 1.6 mm.
XXP 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.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| phenol-formaldehyde (phenolic) resinresole/novolac binder, moisture-resistant modified type for XXP | 38 – 52 | 45 |
| cellulose kraft paperimpregnated paper web substrate | ≥ 48 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on XXP?
Edges should be deburred and sealed (varnish or epoxy) to limit moisture wicking; surface can be silk-screened or varnished but not plated or anodized.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to XXP in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- D709 Grade XXPD709 Type XXP
- Also called
- NEMA XXP
How much does XXP cost?
XXP is a standard-cost composite ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
XXP — frequently asked
What is XXP used for?
XXP is typically used for precision punched insulators, terminal boards and relay bases. In short: punching-grade paper phenolic; better moisture resistance than XX; high-volume blanked insulation.
What is the tensile strength of XXP?
XXP has a typical tensile strength of 83 MPa (12 ksi) — weaker than 76% of composite grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.
Is XXP easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (75/100, better than 79% of composite grades). Drills, saws and turns easily with carbide tooling and high rake; dust is abrasive and irritating, so vacuum extraction is required and coolant is avoided to keep the paper core dry.
Can XXP be welded?
Not weldable — thermoset laminate; join by bonding (epoxy), riveting or mechanical fastening.
What surface finishes work on XXP?
Edges should be deburred and sealed (varnish or epoxy) to limit moisture wicking; surface can be silk-screened or varnished but not plated or anodized.
Can XXP be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as pressed flat sheet; it is not thermoformable but is designed to be blanked/punched cold in thin gauges and at 60–110 °C above roughly 1.6 mm.
What is the maximum service temperature of XXP?
XXP is rated for continuous use to about 120°C (248 °F), and briefly to 155°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does XXP cost?
XXP is a standard-cost composite ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- ASTM D709 — Standard Specification for Laminated Thermosetting Materials — ASTM International (2017)
- NEMA LI 1 — Industrial Laminated Thermosetting Products — NEMA (1998)
- Paper-phenolic industrial laminate (XX/XXP/XXX/XXXP) datasheets — industrial laminate producers (2023)
- Engineered Materials Handbook, Vol. 2: Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.