What is F2 Fabric Bakelite?

F2 Fabric Bakelite is a phenolic composite reinforced with woven cotton fabric. It provides high mechanical strength, excellent wear resistance, and good electrical insulation under dry conditions.

What is the difference between F2 and paper-based Bakelite grades?

Paper-based phenolics (e.g., X or XP grades) offer superior dielectric strength but lower mechanical toughness. F2’s fabric reinforcement delivers higher impact, wear, and load-bearing performance.

Is F2 suitable for electrical insulation?

Yes — it maintains strong dielectric properties in dry environments and is widely used in switchboards, motors, and control systems.

Can F2 Fabric Bakelite be machined?

Absolutely. It machines cleanly on CNC or manual equipment using carbide tooling. It’s ideal for precision parts such as gears, bushes, spacers, and mounting plates.

What are the colour and surface finish options?

Standard F2 is brown with a satin-machined finish. Custom ground or polished surfaces can be supplied for tighter tolerances or cosmetic requirements.

What temperature can it withstand?

It performs continuously up to 130 °C (Class B) and can tolerate short-term peaks up to 150 °C without significant loss of strength or insulation.

Is F2 resistant to oils and solvents?

Yes — it shows excellent resistance to lubricants, coolants, and most industrial fluids. Avoid continuous exposure to strong acids, alkalis, or aromatic solvents.

Can F2 replace metal or thermoplastic components?

In many applications, yes. It provides high strength with reduced weight, electrical insulation, and non-sparking performance — ideal where metal parts create safety or conductivity issues.

F2 FABRIC BAKELITE

F2 Fabric Bakelite is a high-strength phenolic composite manufactured from woven cotton fabric impregnated with thermosetting phenolic resin and hot-pressed into rigid sheets.

This material combines excellent mechanical strength, low moisture absorption, and good electrical insulating performance with outstanding machinability.

Its fabric reinforcement provides toughness and dimensional stability, making it ideal for heavy-duty mechanical and electrical applications requiring wear resistance and durability under load.

SPECIFICATIONS

Product Form

Sheets, rods, tubes, machined components,

and custom profiles

Standard Colours

Brown

Sheet Sizes

2440 × 1220 (Nominal size)

Thickness Range

0.8 mm – 25 mm

(up to ~50 mm – Larger thickness are to order)

Compliance

NEMA LI-1 Grade F2
IEC 60893 PFCC 203.
MIL-I-24768/18 (PF CC)
UL 94 HB
IEC 60085 Thermal Class B (130 °C)
ISO 9001:2015
ISO 14001:2015
RoHS 3 (Directive 2015/863/EU)
REACH (Regulation EC 1907/2006)
WEEE (Directive 2012/19/EU)
Halogen-Free / Asbestos-Free
DFARS 252.225-7014 (Alt I)
AS/NZS 61439
AS/NZS 4020
Defence Supplier Environmental Management Requirements (DSEMR)
IATA / IMDG / ADR
Work Health and Safety (WHS) Compliance
Safe for workplace handling and machining under Australian WHS Regulations 2011.
EPA and Local Environmental Guidelines
Production and waste management conform with Australian environmental protection and industrial disposal standards.

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES

ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES

THERMAL PROPERTIES

High Mechanical and Impact Strength
Engineered for heavy-duty use, F2 Fabric Bakelite combines woven cotton reinforcement with phenolic resin to deliver exceptional strength, toughness, and fatigue resistance under load and vibration.
Excellent Dimensional Stability Under Load
Maintains precise tolerances and structural integrity even under compressive or dynamic stress, making it suitable for mechanical bearings, spacers, and load-bearing insulation parts.
Reliable Electrical Insulation (Dry Conditions)
Provides strong dielectric strength and insulation resistance for switch gear, transformers, and industrial electrical applications where mechanical and electrical properties must coexist.
Superior Machinability and Threading Capability
Cuts cleanly with standard or CNC tooling. Allows accurate drilling, turning, and threading without delamination, chipping, or tool wear typical of glass-reinforced materials.
Low Moisture Absorption and Thermal Expansion
Retains dimensional accuracy and performance in humid or thermally fluctuating environments, ensuring long-term stability in electrical and mechanical assemblies.
High Resistance to Oils, Greases, Solvents, and Coolants
Designed for industrial use where contact with lubricants and cutting fluids is common—maintains integrity without softening, swelling, or degradation.
Noise-Dampening and Non-Sparking
Naturally absorbs vibration and prevents sparking, reducing noise and improving safety in electrical machinery, automotive, and defence-related equipment.
Excellent Wear and Friction Resistance
Offers smooth bearing surfaces with low friction coefficients, ideal for gears, bushes, and mechanical linkages subject to repeated motion.
Thermal and Dimensional Reliability
Performs consistently across a wide service temperature range up to approximately 130 °C, maintaining mechanical and electrical performance under continuous operation.
Precision Machining Compatibility
Supports tight tolerances and repeatable accuracy for critical industrial parts—perfect for components requiring fine threads, smooth finishes, or press-fit assemblies.
Asbestos-Free and Environmentally Compliant
Manufactured in accordance with RoHS 3 and REACH regulations. Contains no halogens or hazardous fibers and meets current industry and defence environmental standards.
Long Service Life and Proven Reliability
Offers outstanding durability and low maintenance in both mechanical and electrical systems, reducing downtime and lifecycle costs.

Transformer and Motor Components
Used for slot wedges, coil supports, terminal boards, and insulation barriers requiring mechanical strength and electrical reliability.
Switchboard and Control Equipment
Ideal for insulating panels, arc barriers, spacers, and hardware within low- to medium-voltage assemblies.
Bearings, Bushes, and Gears
Provides excellent wear resistance and low friction performance in moving parts operating under dry or lubricated conditions.
Machined Mechanical Components
Suitable for precision-machined parts such as clamps, jigs, fixtures, and guide blocks where dimensional stability is critical.
Tooling and Industrial Fixtures
Commonly used for jigs, mounting plates, and non-sparking tool components in workshop and production environments.
Rail and Automotive Equipment
Applied in vibration-damping brackets, insulating mounts, and heavy-duty mechanical parts exposed to oils and mechanical stress.
Aerospace and Defence Systems
Preferred for its non-sparking properties, reliability under thermal cycling, and compatibility with precision CNC machining.
Renewable Energy and Power Generation
Used in turbine insulation components, electrical housings, and generator support assemblies.
Oil, Gas, and Mining Equipment
Performs reliably in electrically insulated mechanical supports and protective housings exposed to oil and heat.
General Industrial Machinery
Selected for mechanical insulators, wear-resistant spacers, and thermal isolation components in heavy machinery.

Switchboard Builders & Panel Assemblers
Used for insulation barriers, mounting plates, terminal supports, and mechanical hardware within low- and medium-voltage assemblies.
Motor Rewinds & Transformer Manufacturers
Ideal for slot wedges, coil supports, spacers, and mechanical end-rings requiring dimensional accuracy and strength under load.
Electrical & Electronics Manufacturing
Provides reliable insulation for power distribution, relay bases, terminal boards, and precision electrical components operating in dry conditions.
Industrial Machinery & Equipment
Commonly used for jigs, fixtures, bushes, bearings, gears, and wear-resistant spacers where mechanical toughness and machinability are essential.
Automotive & Rail Transport
Suited to vibration-damping brackets, isolating mounts, and non-sparking support components exposed to oil, heat, and mechanical stress.
Power Generation & Renewable Energy
Supports turbine insulation structures, generator housings, switch gear panels, and structural insulating elements within renewable energy systems.
Oil, Gas & Mining
Reliable in electrically insulated support structures, protective housings, and load-bearing parts exposed to aggressive oils, coolants, and vibration.
Aerospace & Defence
Selected for precision insulating parts, non-sparking mechanical components, and durable support structures meeting defence grade reliability expectations.
Construction & Infrastructure
Used in electrical isolation panels, control housings, and non-conductive fittings for building and power infrastructure.
Renewable Energy & Environmental Technology
Suitable for inverter assemblies, solar switch gear, and composite insulation panels within environmentally responsible systems.
General Manufacturing & Fabrication
Widely applied for tooling plates, machine bases, mechanical insulators, and prototype components requiring robust performance and ease of machining.

High Mechanical Reliability
Exceptional toughness and compressive strength make it suitable for mechanical components under load or vibration.
Excellent Machinability
Cotton-fabric reinforcement ensures smooth cutting, drilling, and threading with minimal tool wear — ideal for CNC and conventional machining.
Electrical and Mechanical Versatility
Performs reliably as both a structural and insulating material, eliminating the need for multiple component types in assemblies.
Dimensional Stability
Maintains tight tolerances under thermal and mechanical stress, ensuring consistent fit and long-term performance.
Resistance to Oils, Grease, and Coolants
Stable in industrial environments exposed to lubricants and fluids — perfect for electromechanical applications.
Reduced Maintenance & Downtime
Long service life and excellent wear resistance extend component lifespan and lower replacement costs.
Lightweight Alternative to Metal
Offers strong mechanical properties with significant weight reduction, improving efficiency in moving assemblies.
Thermal and Electrical Safety
Provides insulation and temperature resistance up to 130 °C continuous, enhancing operational safety.
Environmentally Compliant
Halogen-free, asbestos-free, and RoHS 3 / REACH compliant for modern industrial and defence use.
Australian Stock & Local Support
MISCO Australia provides material traceability, machining expertise, and fast delivery for production and maintenance operations nationwide.

Downloads

All supporting documents for this material are available for download, including the latest technical data sheet, safety data sheet, machining and processing guidance, compliance information, and relevant product brochures.

These controlled documents provide specifications, performance data, handling requirements, and application notes to assist with design, material selection, and fabrication.

Each file is maintained by MISCO Australia to ensure current, reliable information for switchboard, transformer, industrial, and defence grade applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Discover the MISCO Australia Advantage

Experience the confidence of partnering with an Australian-owned manufacturer committed to quality, precision, and reliability. MISCO Australia combines hands-on expertise, advanced CNC machining, and decades of industry knowledge to deliver high-performance insulation materials and engineered components that meet the toughest electrical and mechanical demands.