Oct 14, 2019 | News, Paper Phenolic, Phenolic Machining, Phenolics
If you had to make a list of some of the most trusted organizations operating anywhere in the electrical equipment space today, the National Electrical Manufacturers Association would undoubtedly be right at the top.
Also called NEMA for short, it was founded all the way back in 1926 and consists of approximately 350 different member companies. By association, NEMA grade laminates and other phenolic materials are those that are defined and graded based on the various resin systems they use, the woven glass weave they feature (if applicable), and their unique electrical, mechanical and chemical performance qualities.
All phenolic materials have different uses based on which grade they fall into, and among the most important to know about are X-Grade NEMA phenolics. By taking the time to learn as much about these materials as possible, you can therefore act with the confidence of knowing that this is truly the material you need for your next big job.
X-Grade NEMA Phenolics: Breaking Things Down
In terms of this particular category, there are three main types of X-Grade NEMA phenolics to be aware of. These include:
- X-Grade, which is a mechanical grade paper phenolic resin.
- XX-Grade, which is a general purpose grade paper phenolic.
- XXX-Grade, which is an electrical grade paper phenolic resin.
There are a few others – like XP (which is a hot punchable grade) and XPC (which is a gold punchable grade), but for the purposes of this discussion we’ll limit things to the three listed above.
All NEMA X-Grade phenolics are known for not only being lightweight, but also incredibly strong. This makes them ideal for applications in some of the harshest conditions you can think of, which is why they’re commonly used in industries like aerospace and electronics manufacturing.
In addition, NEMA X-Grade phenolics are also characterized by their excellent moisture resistance, as well as their general ability to stand up against even the toughest impacts.
NEMA X-Grade phenolics absolutely excel when it comes to their tensile, compressive and flexural strengths… but they’re not necessarily the best selection if electrical properties are going to be your top concern. In those situations, you would want to consider something like CE or LE phenolics.
NEMA X-Grade phenolics have a continuous operating temperature of up to 250 degrees Fahrenheit (ca. 121 °C), which is why you commonly find them in printed circuit boards in the electronics industry. Overall, it’s also important to note that they handedly meet MIL-I-24768/11 compliance. They also meet UL 94HB specifications for their flame retardant qualities, too.
JMJ Profile: Your Partner in X-Grade NEMA Phenolics
At JMJ Profile, we’ve been working with X-Grade NEMA phenolics – and other phenolic materials, for that matter – for decades. Above all else, we always want to make sure that our clients have access to not only our expertise, but to the most complete and accurate information possible at all times. Only then will you be able to act confidently, knowing not only that you’ve selected the right material for your next important job, but that you’ve also chosen the right partner to go along with it.
If you’d like to find out more information about X-Grade NEMA phenolics, or if you have any additional questions you’d like to discuss with someone in a bit more detail, please don’t delay – contact JMJ Profile today.
