---
title: "Phenolic Machining | Canvas, Linen & Paper Laminate Parts | OpenSpindle"
description: "Get quotes for custom phenolic parts from independent machine shops. Canvas (C/CE), linen (LE), and paper (XX) laminate grades machined and turned for bushings, gears, and insulators. Upload a drawing."
canonical: https://openspindle.com/materials/phenolic
---

# Custom phenolic parts from independent machine shops

Phenolic is a cured fabric-and-resin laminate that runs quiet as a bearing, insulates as a terminal board, and holds its shape under load. Upload a drawing and hear back from shops that machine canvas, linen, and paper grades every day.

## Phenolic shops on OpenSpindle

Real shops that machine and turn phenolic laminate. See their equipment and talk to the person making your part.

[Browse all phenolic shops](https://openspindle.com/manufacturers?material=Phenolic)

## Phenolic grades shops run most

Phenolic is graded by its reinforcement (paper, canvas, or linen) under the NEMA LI-1 system. The fabric sets mechanical strength, machined detail, and electrical behavior. Garolite and Micarta are common trade names for these laminates.

### Grade C / CE (canvas)

Coarse cotton canvas reinforcement for high mechanical strength and impact resistance. CE is the same weave graded for both mechanical and electrical duty. The workhorse grade for gears, bearings, and wear parts.

**Best for:** Gears, bearings, bushings, wear pads, structural parts

### Grade LE (fine-weave linen)

Fine linen fabric that machines to the cleanest detail and finish of any phenolic grade. Holds threads and small features well and runs smooth as a bearing surface. Costs more than canvas grades.

**Best for:** Precision bushings, small gears, finely detailed parts

### Grade L (linen)

Medium-weave linen reinforcement, a step coarser than LE. Good balance of strength and machinability where LE-level surface finish is not required.

**Best for:** Bearings, rollers, general machined parts

### Grade XX / X (paper)

Paper reinforcement built for electrical insulation at low cost. Good dielectric strength and easy to punch and machine, but lower mechanical strength than fabric grades. XX is the general-purpose electrical grade.

**Best for:** Terminal boards, insulators, spacers, washers

### Grade XXX / XXXP (paper, electrical)

Higher-grade paper laminate with better electrical performance and low moisture absorption. XXXP is punch grade for cold-punched insulating parts. Common in electronics and switchgear.

**Best for:** High-performance insulators, punched electrical parts

## Material Properties

Representative values for Grade CE canvas phenolic, the most common machining grade. Exact numbers vary by grade, reinforcement, and supplier.

| Property | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Density | ~1.36 g/cm³ (0.049 lb/in³) |
| Tensile strength (Grade CE) | ~10-15 ksi (69-103 MPa) |
| Max continuous service temp | ~120-150 °C (250-300 °F) |
| Friction & wear | Low friction, good wear; bearing grades run quiet and self-lubricate |
| Electrical | Insulator; paper grades (XX, XXX) are dielectric |
| Moisture absorption | Low; dimensionally stable |
| Machinability | Machines and turns well; dulls tooling and makes irritant dust |

Phenolic is lighter than aluminum yet stiff and self-lubricating, which is why it replaces metal in gears and bearings that must run quiet without oil. Cut it with dust extraction: the resin and fabric dust is abrasive and an irritant.

## Stock Forms

- **Round bar & rod** -- Turned bushings, rollers, and cylindrical bearing parts.
- **Sheet & plate** -- Machined gears, insulators, wear pads, and structural panels.

## Processes That Run This Material

- [CNC Machining](https://openspindle.com/capabilities/cnc-machining.md) -- Milled gears, wear pads, and insulator boards from sheet and plate.
- [CNC Turning](https://openspindle.com/capabilities/cnc-turning.md) -- Turned bushings, rollers, and bearings from phenolic bar.
- [CNC Routing](https://openspindle.com/capabilities/cnc-routing.md) -- Flat-cut panels, insulators, and profiles from large phenolic sheet.
- [Waterjet Cutting](https://openspindle.com/capabilities/waterjet-cutting.md) -- Cold cutting of thick phenolic plate with no heat or delamination.

## Finishes

Phenolic is almost always run as-machined; the resin gives a hard, self-finished surface. There is no plating or anodizing on a laminate.

- **As-machined** -- The default. The cured resin surface is hard and stable, so most parts ship straight off the machine. Natural color is brown (canvas/linen) to tan or black.
- **Sealed edges** -- Machined edges expose the fabric weave and can wick moisture. Sealing or lacquering the edges keeps paper and canvas grades dimensionally stable in humid or wet service.
- **Fine surface finish (LE)** -- Where a smooth bearing or cosmetic face matters, Grade LE linen machines to the finest finish. Specify the surface on your drawing and the shop picks the grade.

No plating, anodize, or paint applies to phenolic. Choose the grade for the finish and function you need rather than a coating.

## Applications

- Bushings & bearings
- Gears & rollers
- Electrical insulators & terminal boards
- Wear pads & guides
- Pump components
- Structural panels

Phenolic shows up wherever a part must run quiet, insulate, and hold its shape without metal or lubrication.

## How It Compares

How phenolic stacks up against the other machinable composites and plastics shops quote.

### [G10 / FR4](https://openspindle.com/materials/g10-fr4.md)

- G10 is stronger, stiffer, and handles higher temperatures thanks to its glass-fabric reinforcement
- Phenolic machines far easier and is much kinder to tooling; G10 glass dust is highly abrasive
- Phenolic wears better as a bearing surface and self-lubricates; G10 is chosen for structural and high-voltage duty

**Verdict:** Choose phenolic for bearings, gears, and easy machining. Choose G10 for maximum strength, stiffness, and high-temperature electrical parts.

### [Nylon](https://openspindle.com/materials/nylon.md)

- Phenolic is stiffer, more dimensionally stable, and handles higher continuous temperatures
- Nylon is tougher, more impact resistant, and cheaper
- Nylon absorbs moisture and swells; phenolic stays put, which matters for tight-tolerance bearings

**Verdict:** Choose phenolic for stiff, stable, higher-temperature wear parts. Choose nylon for tough, low-cost parts where some moisture movement is acceptable.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is phenolic and what are Garolite and Micarta?

Phenolic is an industrial laminate made by bonding layers of paper, canvas, or linen fabric with phenolic resin and curing them under heat and pressure. Garolite and Micarta are common trade names for the same class of laminate. The result is a strong, lightweight, self-lubricating material that insulates electrically and stays dimensionally stable.

### Which phenolic grade should I use for gears and bearings?

Grade C or CE canvas phenolic is the standard for gears, bearings, and wear parts because of its high mechanical strength and impact resistance. For small gears or bearings that need the finest finish and detail, Grade LE fine-weave linen machines cleaner. Paper grades (XX, XXX) are for electrical insulation, not mechanical load.

### Is phenolic a good electrical insulator?

Yes, especially the paper grades. Grade XX is the general-purpose electrical laminate and XXX or XXXP offers better dielectric performance and lower moisture absorption. Canvas and linen grades still insulate but are chosen for mechanical strength; pick a paper grade when the primary job is insulation.

### How well does phenolic machine?

Phenolic machines and turns well, better than glass-reinforced G10 and much less abrasive on tooling. It still dulls cutting edges over time and produces a fine, irritant dust, so shops run it with dust extraction and carbide tooling. Grade LE gives the cleanest machined finish of the phenolic grades.

### Why choose phenolic over metal for a bearing or gear?

Phenolic is lighter than aluminum, runs quiet, and is self-lubricating, so it works as a bearing or gear without oil and with less noise than metal on metal. It also insulates electrically and resists corrosion. It gives up absolute strength and high-temperature capability to metal, so it suits moderate-load, moderate-temperature service.

### Does phenolic absorb moisture or swell?

Phenolic has low moisture absorption and is dimensionally stable compared with materials like nylon. Machined edges expose the fabric weave and can wick some moisture, so paper and canvas grades in wet or humid service are often sealed at the edges. For tight-tolerance bearings this stability is a key reason to choose phenolic.

### What file formats should I send for a phenolic part?

STEP, IGES, X_T, DWG, DXF, or a dimensioned PDF. Include the grade (for example CE canvas, LE linen, or XX paper), critical dimensions and tolerances, quantity, and note whether the part is a bearing, gear, or electrical insulator so the shop confirms the right grade.

## Related Materials

- [G10 / FR4](https://openspindle.com/materials/g10-fr4.md)
- [Carbon Fiber](https://openspindle.com/carbon-fiber-cutting.md)
- [PEEK](https://openspindle.com/materials/peek.md)
- [Delrin](https://openspindle.com/materials/delrin.md)
- [Nylon](https://openspindle.com/materials/nylon.md)
- [Aluminum](https://openspindle.com/materials/aluminum.md)

## Get phenolic part quotes

Upload a drawing once and compare quotes from independent shops that machine and turn phenolic laminate.