CE Phenolic Rod — Diameters, Lengths & Tolerances
CE phenolic rod is round bar stock compression-molded from NEMA Grade CE canvas phenolic: a coarse cotton-fabric reinforcement impregnated with phenolic resin and cured under heat and pressure into a rigid thermoset laminate. Ready Plastics stocks CE phenolic rod as the standard starting stock for machined insulators, bushings, standoffs, and bearing sleeves where balanced electrical insulation and mechanical toughness are required. NEMA LI-1 governs the grade.
At a glance:
- Diameter range: 0.125" to 6.0"
- Standard length: 48" (4 ft) per piece
- OD tolerance: typically ±0.010" on stock rod; closer tolerances available on precision-turned blanks
- Material: NEMA Grade CE — coarse cotton-fabric phenolic laminate (NEMA LI-1)
- Production method: Compression-molded thermoset
- Color: Natural tan
Standard Diameter Table
CE phenolic rod is stocked in the following standard diameters:
| Diameter | Standard Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0.125" (1/8") | 48" | Small-diameter insulator stock |
| 0.250" (1/4") | 48" | Standoff and spacer stock |
| 0.500" (1/2") | 48" | Bushing and bearing stock |
| 0.750" (3/4") | 48" | General machined parts |
| 1.000" (1") | 48" | Terminal post stock |
| 1.500" (1-1/2") | 48" | Larger insulator blanks |
| 2.000" (2") | 48" | Heavy-duty bushing blanks |
| 3.000" (3") | 48" | Large-diameter insulator stock |
Cut-to-length is available on all diameters; minimum order is one piece.
Mechanical & Electrical Properties
CE phenolic rod carries the full published NEMA Grade CE property set per NEMA LI-1:
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 36,000 psi (245 MPa) |
| Flexural strength (LW, 0.125") | 17,000 psi (115 MPa) |
| Compressive strength | 10,000 psi (68 MPa) |
| Shear strength | 14,000 psi (96 MPa) |
| Bond strength | 1,900 psi (13 MPa) |
| Rockwell hardness (M-scale) | 100 |
| Izod impact strength at 49 °C (LW) | 1.70 ft·lb/in |
| Specific gravity | 1.37 |
| Water absorption (24 hr) | 2.00% |
| Flammability | UL 94HB |
| Max. operating temperature | 255 °F (125 °C) |
All values reflect compression-molded NEMA CE stock; actual rod properties vary slightly by diameter due to compression geometry.
Typical Applications
- Electrical bushings and sleeves — CE phenolic rod turns into smooth-bore insulators for conductor pass-throughs in switchgear and transformer housings
- Standoffs and spacers — Standard rod diameters machine cleanly to precise lengths and can be tapped for threaded hardware
- Bearing sleeves — Moderate compressive strength (10,000 psi) and good wear resistance support light-load journal bearing applications
- Terminal posts and connectors — Reliable dielectric performance keeps live conductors isolated in panel-board and relay assemblies
- Sheaves and pulleys — Lightweight specific gravity (1.37) and hardness (Rockwell M 100) suit low-speed pulley and sheave applications
- Structural insulators — Defense and industrial applications reference MIL-I-24768/14 Type FBG, which NEMA CE meets
Machining CE Phenolic Rod
CE phenolic rod machines on conventional lathes, mills, and drill presses using standard carbide-tipped tooling. Use sharp tooling and moderate feed rates to avoid delamination at cut exits; phenolic dust is abrasive and a dust-extraction system is recommended. Tapped holes hold thread reliably without inserts for #6 through 1/2"-13 thread sizes. Moderate relief angles and light finishing passes produce smooth surfaces suitable for close-tolerance insulator fits.
Related
- CE Phenolic Grade Line Card
- CE Phenolic Sheet — flat plate stock for panels, gaskets, and machined planar parts
- CE Phenolic Tube — hollow section stock for sleeves and conduit applications
- LE Phenolic Rod — fine-linen electrical grade for tighter dielectric requirements