Canvas Grades C and CE, also known as NEMA C or CE are Canvas Cotton-Cloth Reinforced Phenolics.  Canvas Phenolic grades are composed of a continuous cotton woven cloth, impregnated with a phenolic resin binder.  They are commonly used for electrical insulators and printed circuit boards, among other uses.  Some common trade names for Canvas Phenolic are Bakelite® and Micarta.

  • Color: Light tan to brown
  • Grade C certifies to Mil-I-24768/16 FBM and MIL-P-15035 FBM
  • Grade CE certifies to Mil-I-24768/14 FBG and MIL-P-15035 FBG
MechanicalASTM Test MethodGrade C PhenolicGrade CE PhenolicUnits
Strength to Weight Ratio---ksi
Specific Gravity @73 FD7921.351.35-
Tensile Strength @73 F, (ult)/(yld)D6389,500 (ult)9,500 (ult)psi
Tensile Modulus of Elasticity @73 FD638--psi
Tensile Elongation at Break @73 FD638--%
Flexural Strength @73 FD79017,00017,000psi
Flexural Modulus of Elasticity @73 FD790950,000950,000psi
Shear Strength @73 FD73211,50011,500psi
Comprehensive Strength, (% Deformation) @73 FD69537,000 (10)37,000 (10)psi
Comprehensive Modulus of Elasticity @73 FD695--psi
Hardness, Rockwell, Scale as noted @73 FD785(M104)(M104)-
Hardness, Durometer, Shore D @73 FD2240---
Izod Impact, (Notched) @73 FD256 Type A3.22.3ft-lb/in of notch
Coefficient of Friction, (Dry vs Steel) Dynamic----
Limiting PV, (with 4 to 1 factor of safety applied)---psi-ft/min
ThermalASTM Test MethodGrade C PhenolicGrade CE PhenolicUnits
Coefficient of Linear Thermal Expansion @73 FE-831 (TMA)--in/in/F
Heat Deflection Temperature @264 psiD648--F
Tg-Glass transition termperature, (Amorphous)D3418--F
Melting Point, (VS=Vicat Softening Temp.)D3418--F
Continuous Service Temperature in Air, (Max.)-265265F
Thermal Conductivity---BTU-in/hr-ft2-F
ElectricASTM Test MethodGrade C PhenolicGrade CE PhenolicUnits
Dielectric Strength, Short TermD149150360Volts/mil
Volume ResistivityD257--ohm-cm
Dielectric Constant @10E6 HzD150-5.8-
Dissipation Factor @10E6 HzD1500.10.055-
Flammability @3.1 mm unless notedUL94HBHB-
H2OASTM Test MethodGrade C PhenolicGrade CE PhenolicUnits
Water Absorption, Immersion, 24 hoursD570(7)1.20.75% by weight
Water Absorption, SaturationD570(7)--% by weight