MF GF (Glass-fibre reinforced MF)
Reinforced grade
Use the glass-fibre reinforced type (ISO 183/184) for structural electrical parts and commutators needing the highest strength (80 MPa), stiffness and 170 °C service; machinability is the lowest.
Values for the GF condition
Other MF grades and fills
MF is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at MF.
Compare all 6 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mineral-filled MF | Choose the mineral-filled type (ISO 180/181/182) when heat resistance to 140 °C, arc resistance and dimensional stability lead, as in commutators, lampholders and terminal blocks; machining is harder. | — | 50 | — | 120 HRM |
Wood-flour / organic-filled MF | Choose the wood-flour filled economy compound for handles and covers where appearance is uncritical; service tops out at 110 °C and tensile strength at 55 MPa. | — | 55 | 0.7 | 112 HRM |
Impregnating / laminating resin | Use the unfilled impregnating resin for saturating HPL decor papers, crosslinking amino stoving enamels and formulating wood adhesives rather than for molded components. | — | 55 | 0.6 | 125 HRM |
Melamine-phenolic (MF/PF) molding compound | Pick the melamine-phenolic blend for lower cost, easier flow and better wet electrical performance in switch and socket bodies, accepting that only dark colours are available. | — | 60 | 0.6 | 115 HRM |
CELDefault Α-cellulose filled molding compound | Pick the α-cellulose filled compound (ISO type 152/153) as the standard commercial form for light-coloured, high-gloss, colourable tableware, switch plates and knobs up to 120 °C. | — | 70 | — | 118 HRM |
GFThis page Glass-fibre reinforced MF | Use the glass-fibre reinforced type (ISO 183/184) for structural electrical parts and commutators needing the highest strength (80 MPa), stiffness and 170 °C service; machinability is the lowest. | — | 80 | — | — |
What is MF GF?
MF GF is MF in the GF grade — use the glass-fibre reinforced type (ISO 183/184) for structural electrical parts and commutators needing the highest strength (80 MPa), stiffness and 170 °C service; machinability is the lowest. MF GF has a tensile strength of 80 MPa (11.6 ksi), stronger than 83% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 0.8% and the elastic modulus is 9 GPa (1.31 Msi). MF GF has a density of 1.95 g/cm³ (0.0704 lb/in³), heavier than 97% of polymer grades. CEL is the default condition FabDigit quotes; GF is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Stiff — 9 GPa (1.31 Msi), better than 93% of polymer grades
- Conducts heat well — 0.4 W/m·K (0.231 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 93% of polymer grades
- Low, predictable mold shrinkage — 0.3%, better than 90% of polymer grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 75/100, better than 86% of polymer grades
- High service temperature — 170°C (338 °F), better than 83% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 0.8%, worse than 98% of polymer grades
- Difficult to weld — 0/100, worse than 98% of polymer grades
- Heavy — 1.95 g/cm³ (0.0704 lb/in³), worse than 97% of polymer grades
- Difficult to machine — 22/100, worse than 95% of polymer grades
- Limited formability — 5/100, worse than 95% of polymer grades
MF GF properties
Typical room-temperature values for MF GF; 11 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are MF reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical3
MF GF has a density of 1.95 g/cm³ (0.0704 lb/in³), heavier than 97% of polymer grades.
Mechanical9
MF GF has a tensile strength of 80 MPa (11.6 ksi), stronger than 83% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 0.8% and the elastic modulus is 9 GPa (1.31 Msi).
Thermal10
MF GF is rated for continuous service to 170°C (338 °F). It conducts heat at 0.4 W/m·K (0.231 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 93% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 20 µm/m·K (11.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
MF GF is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 14 kV/mm (355.6 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹⁰ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (60/100), worse than 89% of polymer grades. UV resistance is good.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of MF GF takes about 100 MJ of energy and emits 5 kg of CO₂ — less than 61% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability6
MF GF's machinability is poor (22/100, worse than 95% of polymer grades); weldability not recommended (0/100); formability not recommended (5/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with MF GF
Is MF easy to machine?
Cured stock can be turned, milled and drilled, but it is brittle and the fillers wear tooling — use carbide or diamond tools at high speed and low feed, with a backing plate on the exit face to prevent edge chipping.
Can MF be welded?
The cross-linked structure cannot be heat welded. Use epoxy or cyanoacrylate adhesives, or mechanical joints.
Can MF be formed, bent or molded?
Mainly compression and transfer moulding, with dedicated thermoset injection screws also available: mould temperature about 145–175 °C, pressure 20–40 MPa, hold 30–60 s/mm. Condensation water must be vented by breathing the tool; preheating or high-frequency preheating shortens the cycle.
What surface finishes work on MF?
A polished tool gives a high-gloss surface that can be buffed further. Printed decor paper can be overlaid and surfaced in a second moulding step. Plating is not suitable; sand off release agent before painting.
MF 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 |
|---|---|---|
| melamineresin backbone from condensation with formaldehyde, F/M 1.5-2.5 | 30 – 55 | 45 |
| formaldehydecrosslinks as methylene/ether bridges | 15 – 30 | 22 |
| alpha-cellulose fillerdefault cellulose-filled molding powder; mineral/glass grades differ | 25 – 45 | 35 |
| pigments, mould release, catalyst (hardepigments, stearate release agent, latent acid hardener | 1 – 5 | 3 |
MF GF — frequently asked
What is MF GF used for?
MF GF is typically used for decorative laminate surfaces, wood adhesives, coatings binders and paper impregnation. In short: hardest amino thermoset; scratch-resistant laminate resin; low-cost thermoset binder.
What is the tensile strength of MF GF?
MF GF has a typical tensile strength of 80 MPa (11.6 ksi) — stronger than 83% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is MF GF easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (22/100, worse than 95% of polymer grades). Cured stock can be turned, milled and drilled, but it is brittle and the fillers wear tooling — use carbide or diamond tools at high speed and low feed, with a backing plate on the exit face to prevent edge chipping.
Can MF GF be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (0/100). The cross-linked structure cannot be heat welded. Use epoxy or cyanoacrylate adhesives, or mechanical joints.
What surface finishes work on MF GF?
A polished tool gives a high-gloss surface that can be buffed further. Printed decor paper can be overlaid and surfaced in a second moulding step. Plating is not suitable; sand off release agent before painting.
Can MF GF be formed, bent or molded?
Mainly compression and transfer moulding, with dedicated thermoset injection screws also available: mould temperature about 145–175 °C, pressure 20–40 MPa, hold 30–60 s/mm. Condensation water must be vented by breathing the tool; preheating or high-frequency preheating shortens the cycle.
What is the maximum service temperature of MF GF?
MF GF is rated for continuous use to about 170°C (338 °F), and briefly to 150°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- ISO 14526 — Plastics: Phenolic and amino (MF/MP) moulding compounds, designation and specification — ISO (2017)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol.2 — Engineering Plastics (amino resins) — ASM International (1988)
- Melamine and melamine-phenolic moulding compound datasheets — Bakelite/Hexion, Sumitomo Bakelite, / (2023)
- CAMPUS / UL Prospector thermoset moulding compound entries — CWFG / UL (2023)
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.