Coarse Cotton-Fabric Reinforced Phenolic, Electrical Grade (NEMA CE)
Canvas Phenolic (CE) is a highly durable, lightweight, and cost-effective material ideal for a range of applications - including electrical - and featuring high-dimensional stability and excellent creep resistance.
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High-strength canvas phenolic panels offering excellent impact resistance for structural wear plates, insulators, and heavy-duty mounting boards.
| Short Description | Color | Diameter | Length | Stock | Price | Add to quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CE - 0.062" dia x 48" Natural Rod | Natural | 0.062″ | 48″ | In stock550 | $5.03per rod | |
| CE - 0.093" dia x 48" Black Rod | Black | 0.093″ | 48″ | In stock195 | $4.28per rod | |
| CE - 0.093" dia x 48" Natural Rod | Natural | 0.093″ | 48″ | In stock207 | $5.03per rod | |
| CE - 0.125" dia x 48" Black Rod | Black | 0.125″ | 48″ | In stock268 | $5.71per rod | |
| CE - 0.125" dia x 48" Natural Rod | Natural | 0.125″ | 48″ | In stock420 | $5.10per rod | |
| CE - 0.156" dia x 48" Black Rod | Black | 0.156″ | 48″ | In stock40 | $0.44per rod | |
| CE - 0.156" dia x 48" Natural Rod | Natural | 0.156″ | 48″ | In stock723 | $5.24per rod | |
| CE - 0.187" dia x 48" Black Rod | Black | 0.187″ | 48″ | In stock228 | $6.32per rod | |
| CE - 0.187" dia x 48" Natural Rod | Natural | 0.187″ | 48″ | In stock7 | $5.37per rod | |
| CE - 0.25" dia x 48" Black Rod | Black | 0.250″ | 48″ | In stock115 | $7.96per rod |
Material Overview
CE rod is a solid round bar form of CE grade phenolic — a thermoset laminate reinforced with coarse cotton fabric and bound with phenolic resin, then cured under heat and pressure into dense, machinable stock. CE rod belongs to the NEMA LI-1 cotton-phenolic family and is widely used wherever a combination of electrical insulation, impact resistance, and easy machinability is required in a cylindrical form.
Key mechanical properties of CE rod include a tensile strength of 36,000 psi, flexural strength of 17,000 psi, compressive strength of 10,000 psi, and Rockwell M100 hardness. Shear strength reaches 14,000 psi. The material carries a UL 94HB flammability rating and operates continuously up to 255°F (125°C). Water absorption over 24 hours is just 2.00%, reflecting stable performance in humid environments. These properties make CE rod a reliable choice for turned bushings, spacers, rollers, and electrical standoffs machined on a lathe or screw machine.
Standards & compliance. CE rod is governed by NEMA LI-1 and meets defense specification MIL-I-24768/14 (Type FBG). Test methods follow ASTM D709 for laminated thermosetting materials. Ready Plastics stocks CE rod in standard diameters available as cut-to-length pieces; contact us for size availability and custom lengths.
Sister grades. If cost is the primary driver and electrical performance is secondary, Grade C phenolic rod offers similar machinability at a lower price point. For applications demanding higher dielectric strength, step up to Grade LE phenolic rod, which uses a finer linen weave for better dielectric properties. When the application requires significantly higher mechanical strength and lower moisture absorption, consider glass-epoxy G-10 rod.
Applications
The workhorse choice for impact-resistant, mechanically loaded parts.
Switchgear standoffs, terminal boards, transformer wedges, motor washers, brush holders.
Cam followers, pulleys, low-speed bushings, gears, slide blocks running against steel.
Shipboard fixtures meeting MIL-I-24768/14 Type FBG; ordnance fixtures and tooling.
Pump vanes, valve seats, packing rings — humidity-stable and impact tolerant.
Drill jigs, wear strips, press platens, soft-jaw inserts for CNC and bench work.
Test stand insulators, structural shims, instrument backing plates.
Related Materials & Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
CE rod is a solid cylindrical bar made from CE grade cotton phenolic — a thermoset composite of coarse cotton fabric impregnated with phenolic resin and cured under heat and pressure. It provides electrical insulation, impact resistance, and excellent machinability, and is governed by NEMA LI-1 with a maximum operating temperature of 255°F (125°C).
Ready Plastics stocks CE phenolic rod in standard diameters available as cut-to-length pieces. Contact us directly for current diameter and length availability, as inventory varies.
CE rod machines readily on conventional lathes and screw machines. The coarse cotton weave gives the material good impact resistance during interrupted cuts. Standard HSS or carbide tooling works well; sharp tools and moderate feed rates produce clean, burr-free surfaces. Dust extraction is recommended when sawing or drilling.
Both are made from the same CE cotton phenolic grade, but rod is a solid cylindrical form suited to turned parts such as bushings, spacers, and rollers, while sheet is a flat form used for milled panels, brackets, and washers. The base material properties — tensile strength, operating temperature, and electrical characteristics — are the same.
Common applications include electrical insulating bushings, terminal spacers, bearing sleeves, cam followers, and mechanical standoffs. Its combination of Rockwell M100 hardness, 36,000 psi tensile strength, and good dielectric performance makes it a workhorse material in electrical switchgear, industrial machinery, and maintenance-and-repair operations.
Get a quote on cut-to-size sheets and rods, request a full data sheet, or talk to a plastics engineer. We answer in under two hours, M–F 8am–6pm ET.
