NEMA G10
NEMA G10 is the standard woven-glass-cloth epoxy laminate — woven E-glass fabric bonded with epoxy resin, defined by NEMA LI 1, and the baseline glass-epoxy grade against which G11, FR4, FR5, and GPO-3 are compared.
Two G10 pages exist on this site. This page focuses on the NEMA G10 specification — what NEMA LI 1 requires, how G10 is distinguished from FR4 and G11, and what the standard tests measure. For practical buying information (sizes, pricing, stock, machining, applications), see the G10 Material Hub.
NEMA G10 at a Glance
| Property | NEMA G10 spec value |
|---|---|
| Parent material | G10 material family |
| Reinforcement | Woven E-glass cloth |
| Resin | Epoxy (non-brominated, non-flame-retardant) |
| Flame retardant | No — G10 does NOT carry UL94 V-0 |
| NEMA standard | NEMA LI 1, Grade G10 |
| Flexural strength (flatwise, min) | 55,000 psi |
| Dielectric strength (min, 1/8 in.) | 400 V/mil |
| Continuous operating temp | 266°F (130°C) |
| Tg | ~130°C |
| MIL spec | MIL-I-24768 (verify current type designation) |
How NEMA LI 1 Defines G10
NEMA LI 1 defines Grade G10 by minimum property requirements, not by specific resin formulation. To be sold as "NEMA G10," a laminate must meet:
- Flexural strength (flatwise): ≥ 55,000 psi (ASTM D790)
- Flexural strength (edgewise): ≥ 45,000 psi
- Compressive strength (flatwise): ≥ 55,000 psi
- Tensile strength (flatwise): ≥ 40,000 psi
- Izod impact (flatwise): ≥ 14 ft·lb/in
- Dielectric strength (short-time, 1/8 in.): ≥ 400 V/mil
- Insulation resistance (after conditioning): ≥ 10⁹ Ω
- Water absorption (24h, 1/8 in.): ≤ 0.10%
NEMA G10 does not require UL94 V-0 flame retardancy — this is the single most important distinction between G10 and FR4.
G10 vs. FR4 — The Critical Distinction
G10 and FR4 are NOT the same material. Both use woven E-glass and epoxy resin, but:
| G10 | FR4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Flame retardant | No | Yes (UL94 V-0) |
| Brominated resin | No | Yes (typically TBBPA) |
| Tg | ~130°C | ~130–140°C |
| NEMA designation | G10 | FR4 |
| PCB standard | No (PCB market uses FR4) | Yes — dominant PCB substrate |
| Industrial laminate | Yes — primary use | Less common in thick industrial form |
For the full comparison, see G10 vs. FR4.
G10 vs. G11 — Temperature Performance
G11 uses the same glass reinforcement as G10 but a higher-Tg epoxy (~170°C vs. ~130°C). G11 retains more mechanical strength above 100°C. Neither G10 nor G11 is flame-retardant.
See the G11 grade page for a full property comparison.
Standards
- NEMA LI 1 (Grade G10) — primary US specification
- ASTM D709 — test methods for laminated thermosetting materials
- IEC 60893 — IEC equivalent: HGW 2372 / EP WF 31 (glass-woven-fabric epoxy base)
- MIL-I-24768 — military equivalent; verify current type designation with your contracting officer
Where to Go from Here
This spec page answers "what does NEMA G10 mean?" For everything about buying, machining, sizing, and applications, go to the G10 Material Hub.
Get a quote on [G10 sheet](/line-card/thermoset-laminates-phenolics/glass-epoxy/g10/sheet/), rod, or tube — wide stock, cut to size
Request a Quote →More related grades
- NEMA FR4 Spec Page
- NEMA G11 High-Temp Glass Epoxy
- NEMA FR5 Flame-Retardant High-Temp
- GPO-3 Arc-Resistant Polyester Glass Mat
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