PF
ASTM D700 · GB GB/T 34483
PF is a phenol-formaldehyde thermoset molding compound and laminate resin covered by ASTM D700 and GB/T 34483, available wood-flour, cotton, mineral, glass, graphite and friction filled, plus cast, paper-, cotton- and glass-cloth laminate grades.
Reference datasheet — PF 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.
Values for the WF condition
PF grades and fills
PF is supplied in 10 conditions, soft to hard. WF is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 10 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Friction/brake compound | Binder-based friction formulation for brake pads, linings and clutch facings — designed for stable µ at 300–400 °C flash temperatures. | 18 | 0.3 | 110 HRR | |
Graphite / PTFE / MoS₂ lubricated bearing grade | Choose for dry-running bushings, thrust washers and water-lubricated marine bearings. | 40 | 0.5 | 105 HRM | |
Mineral filled heat-resistant grade | Use for continuous 170–180 °C electrical service and better arc/heat resistance than wood-flour grades. | 42 | 0.4 | 115 HRM | |
WFDefault Wood-flour / cellulose filled general purpose | The default low-cost black/brown molding compound for knobs, handles, switch bodies and closures. | 52 | 0.6 | 108 HRM | |
As cast | Choose when a translucent/coloured, void-free polishable phenolic is needed (billiard balls, decorative rod, dominoes). | 55 | 1.2 | 100 HRM | |
Cotton/rag (cellulose fabric) filled impact grade | Pick where phenolic must survive assembly shock or threaded/insert loading — 3–5× the notched impact of GP. | 55 | 1 | 100 HRM | |
Glass-fiber filled (25–55 %) structural/electrical grade | Highest strength, stiffness and HDT phenolic — commutators, pump housings, ignition and under-hood parts. | 85 | 0.7 | 118 HRM | |
Paper-base phenolic laminate | Cheapest insulating sheet/rod stock; punchable at room or warm temperature for low-cost electrical panels and single-sided PCB base. | 85 | |||
Cotton-fabric phenolic laminate | Tough, machinable laminate for gears, bushings, wear strips and structural insulators where paper base is too brittle. | 95 | |||
Glass-fabric phenolic laminate | Highest-strength phenolic sheet for hot, humid structural-insulation duty where epoxy G-10 cost is not justified. | 220 |
What is PF?
PF is a phenol-formaldehyde thermoset molding compound and laminate resin covered by ASTM D700 and GB/T 34483, available wood-flour, cotton, mineral, glass, graphite and friction filled, plus cast, paper-, cotton- and glass-cloth laminate grades. Engineers use it for heat and dimensional stability at low cost — 150 °C service temperature, 52 MPa tensile strength, 0.6% elongation, 0.3 W/m·K conductivity and 1.4 g/cm³ density — in compression-molded electrical parts and machined laminate stock. It is brittle, available only in dark colors, and abrasive and dusty to machine (machinability 60); UF is cheaper for cooler duty, BMI or polyimide serve above 150 °C. PF has a density of 1.4 g/cm³ (0.0506 lb/in³), heavier than 79% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 160°C (320 °F). PF has a tensile strength of 52 MPa (7.54 ksi), stronger than 56% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 0.6% and the elastic modulus is 7 GPa (1.02 Msi).
What is PF used for?
- Electrical switchgear
- Brake pads/friction parts
- Cookware handles
- Bakelite housings
Advantages
- Stiff — 7 GPa (1.02 Msi), better than 90% of polymer grades
- Conducts heat well — 0.3 W/m·K (0.173 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 83% of polymer grades
- High service temperature — 150°C (302 °F), better than 79% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 0.6%, worse than 99% of polymer grades
- Difficult to weld — 0/100, worse than 98% of polymer grades
- Limited formability — 5/100, worse than 95% of polymer grades
- Low fracture toughness — 1 MPa·√m (0.91 ksi·√in), worse than 87% of polymer grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 68/100, worse than 85% of polymer grades
PF properties
Typical room-temperature values for PF-WF; bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical4
PF has a density of 1.4 g/cm³ (0.0506 lb/in³), heavier than 79% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 160°C (320 °F).
Mechanical14
PF has a tensile strength of 52 MPa (7.54 ksi), stronger than 56% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 0.6% and the elastic modulus is 7 GPa (1.02 Msi).
Thermal10
PF is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 0.3 W/m·K (0.173 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 83% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 35 µm/m·K (19.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
PF 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 (68/100), worse than 85% of polymer grades. UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PF takes about 87 MJ of energy and emits 4 kg of CO₂ — less than 77% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability7
PF's machinability is good (60/100, better than 51% of polymer grades); weldability not recommended (0/100); formability not recommended (5/100).
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 polymer family
Yield strength against density for every polymer grade FabDigit runs. PF is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with PF
Is PF easy to machine?
Machines easily but is abrasive and dusty — use carbide or PCD tools, positive rake, sharp edges, high speed with light feed and vacuum dust extraction; no coolant needed on laminates.
Can PF be welded?
Not weldable (thermoset); join by fasteners, molded-in inserts, or structural adhesives (epoxy) after abrading and degreasing.
Can PF be formed, bent or molded?
Compression and transfer molding at 150–190 °C mold with 15–35 MPa and 15–30 s/mm cure; preheat (RF or IR) to 90–110 °C to shorten cure; vent to release condensation water and ammonia.
PF 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 resin (novolac/resolmatrix binder | 35 – 55 | 45 |
| wood flour / cellulose fillerdefault GP filler; replaced by mineral, cotton or glass in other variants | 35 – 55 | 45 |
| hexamethylenetetramine (hexa) curing ageon resin basis for novolac systems | 5 – 12 | 8 |
| lime / magnesium oxideacid scavenger, cure accelerator | 0.5 – 3 | 1.5 |
| stearate lubricant / mold release | 0.5 – 2 | 1 |
| carbon black / pigmentphenolics are only available in dark colors | 0.5 – 3 | 1.5 |
What surface finishes work on PF?
Molded parts release with a glossy skin; deflash by tumbling or media blast, then buff/wax-polish for cast grades; paint or plate only after alkaline etch and a primer — plating adhesion is fair at best.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to PF in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- D700
- GB (China)
- GB/T 34483
How much does PF cost?
PF is a standard-cost polymer ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
PF — frequently asked
What is PF used for?
PF is typically used for electrical switchgear, brake pads/friction parts, cookware handles and bakelite housings. In short: lowest-cost high-heat thermoset; 150 °C continuous service; machinable laminate stock.
What is the tensile strength of PF?
PF has a typical tensile strength of 52 MPa (7.54 ksi) — stronger than 56% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 10 listed tempers.
Is PF easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (60/100, better than 51% of polymer grades). Machines easily but is abrasive and dusty — use carbide or PCD tools, positive rake, sharp edges, high speed with light feed and vacuum dust extraction; no coolant needed on laminates.
Can PF be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (0/100). Not weldable (thermoset); join by fasteners, molded-in inserts, or structural adhesives (epoxy) after abrading and degreasing.
What surface finishes work on PF?
Molded parts release with a glossy skin; deflash by tumbling or media blast, then buff/wax-polish for cast grades; paint or plate only after alkaline etch and a primer — plating adhesion is fair at best.
Can PF be formed, bent or molded?
Compression and transfer molding at 150–190 °C mold with 15–35 MPa and 15–30 s/mm cure; preheat (RF or IR) to 90–110 °C to shorten cure; vent to release condensation water and ammonia.
What is the maximum service temperature of PF?
PF is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F), and briefly to 190°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does PF cost?
PF is a standard-cost polymer ($$), 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 D700 — Standard Specification for Phenolic Molding Compounds — ASTM International (2021)
- ISO 14526 Plastics — Phenolic powder moulding compounds (PF-PMCs) — ISO (2020)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol.2: Engineering Plastics — Phenolics — ASM International (1988)
- NEMA LI 1 — Industrial Laminated Thermosetting Products (grades X, XX, XPC, C, CE, L, LE, G-3) — NEMA (1998)
- Phenolic molding compound and laminate technical datasheets — Hexion / Sumitomo Bakelite / Ensinger (2023)
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.