Cotton Phenolic Sheet

Cotton phenolic is a thermoset composite laminate made from cotton fabric (canvas or linen weave) impregnated with phenolic resin and cured under heat and pressure. The result is a rigid, machinable material with good mechanical strength, moderate electrical insulation, and reliable dimensional stability. It is governed by NEMA LI-1 and is widely used for gears, bearings, bushings, terminal boards, and structural components in industrial and electrical applications.

Canvas grades (C and CE) use a heavier, coarser cotton weave that provides higher impact strength and toughness — best for mechanical components under load or shock. Linen grades (L and LE) use a finer weave that delivers a smoother surface finish, better machinability, and lower tooling wear — best for precision components requiring tight tolerances and fine detail. Electrical grades (CE, LE) add dielectric performance suitable for insulating applications.

Ready Plastics stocks cotton phenolic phenolic sheet in a wide range of thicknesses and sheet sizes, and rod in standard diameters. Cut-to-size is available on every SKU with a minimum order of one piece. See individual grade pages for specific size ranges, or contact us for current inventory.

Micarta and Garolite are brand names for phenolic laminates that can include cotton, linen, canvas, paper, or glass reinforcements. Cotton phenolic refers specifically to the cotton-fabric reinforced grades within that broader family. When a drawing or spec calls for Micarta or Garolite with a cotton or canvas designation, NEMA grades C, CE, L, or LE are the direct equivalents.

Yes, selectively. Canvas Grade CE and linen Grade LE are both rated for electrical applications and provide reliable dielectric insulation for terminal boards, switchgear, bushings, and similar components. General mechanical grades C and L also offer moderate electrical insulation but are not optimized for dielectric performance. For high-voltage or precision electrical work requiring superior dielectric strength, glass-epoxy (G-10/FR-4) is the appropriate upgrade.