Transform Your Design Into Precision Reality
Custom plastic machining with Swiss precision
Custom Bakelite & Garolite Fabrication
Custom Bakelite & Garolite Phenolic Laminate CNC Machining Services
Transform high-performance phenolic resin laminates into precision-engineered components. From electrical insulators and terminal boards to mechanical gears and PCB test fixtures, we deliver ±0.03mm tolerances with NO minimum order quantity.
Expert Phenolic Laminate Fabrication: Bakelite & Garolite Custom Parts Manufacturing
BeePlastic specializes in precision CNC machining of phenolic laminates, transforming raw Bakelite sheets, Garolite rods, and phenolic boards into high-performance custom components. Our advanced manufacturing capabilities serve industries requiring exceptional electrical insulation, dimensional stability, and mechanical durability.
We work with all grades of thermoset phenolic materials including paper-based phenolic (NEMA XX, XXX grades), cotton canvas phenolic (NEMA C, CE grades), and linen phenolic (NEMA L, LE grades). Each material is selected based on your application requirements—whether you need maximum dielectric strength for electrical applications or superior impact resistance for mechanical components.
Our comprehensive fabrication services include precision CNC milling, CNC turning, drilling and tapping, cut-to-size services, laser cutting, and complete custom jig and fixture manufacturing.
Laboratory Certified Material Quality
Our phenolic laminate materials undergo rigorous third-party testing at accredited laboratories. We provide full traceability and certification documentation for quality-critical applications.
Tested by Guilin CEMI Technology Co., Ltd. (CNAS L2021 Accredited) per GB/T 1303.2-2009 national standard for electrical-grade thermoset resin industrial laminates.
Tested by SGS Taiwan Ltd. per EU RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU and amending Directive (EU) 2015/863. All restricted substances below detection limits.
N.D. = Not Detected. Testing per IEC 62321 standards using ICP-OES, GC/MS, UV-VIS methods.
Phenolic Material Stock Forms: Sheets, Rods & Custom Shapes
We supply high-quality phenolic laminate sheets, solid rods, and tubes in both Bakelite (paper-based) and Garolite (cloth-based) grades. All materials are sourced for excellent consistency, flatness, and dimensional stability—the ideal foundation for precision machining.
Phenolic Laminate Sheets & Plates
Our flat, rigid phenolic sheets serve as the ideal substrate for machining high-performance components. Available in paper phenolic (NEMA XX) for electrical insulation and cotton phenolic (NEMA CE) for mechanical strength applications.
- Thickness Range: 0.5mm to 100mm+
- Standard Sizes: Various industrial dimensions
- Custom Cut-to-Size: Available on request
Insulating base plates, PCB test fixtures, terminal boards, transformer components, switchgear panels, mounting plates.
Solid Phenolic Rods & Bars
Our solid thermoset phenolic rods offer excellent strength and rigidity for CNC turning operations. Perfect for producing durable cylindrical parts like bushings, bearings, and insulating spacers.
- Diameter Range: 5mm to 200mm+
- Excellent Concentricity: For precision turning
- Custom Lengths: Cut to your specifications
Custom insulating spacers, bushings and bearings, wear-resistant rollers, standoffs, dowels, tool handles, pulleys, gears.
Precision CNC Machining Capabilities
Our specialized phenolic machining expertise overcomes the unique challenges of thermoset laminate materials—abrasive fibers, brittleness, and fine dust generation—to deliver consistently precise components.
- Tolerances: ±0.03mm (±0.0012") standard
- Surface Finish: Ra 0.8-3.2μm achievable
- Complex Geometries: 3-axis to 5-axis capability
- Specialized Tooling: Carbide and diamond-coated tools
- Dust Extraction: Clean machining environment
Understanding Phenolic Laminates: Bakelite vs. Garolite Material Comparison
Selecting the right phenolic laminate grade is critical for your application's success. The fundamental difference lies in their reinforcement material—paper-based for electrical properties vs. fabric-based for mechanical strength.
| Property / Grade | Bakelite (Paper) NEMA X, XX, XXX |
Canvas Phenolic NEMA C, CE |
Linen Phenolic NEMA L, LE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Reinforcement | Kraft Paper Layers | Cotton Canvas Cloth | Fine Linen Fabric |
| Electrical Insulation | ★★★★★ Excellent | ★★★☆☆ Good | ★★★★☆ Very Good |
| Dielectric Strength | 9.5 kV/mm | 8-12 kV/mm | 10-15 kV/mm |
| Flexural Strength | 133 MPa | ≥100 MPa | ≥90 MPa |
| Compressive Strength | 254 MPa | ≥200 MPa | ≥180 MPa |
| Impact Resistance | 7.14 kJ/m² | ★★★★★ 10-15 kJ/m² | ★★★★☆ 8-12 kJ/m² |
| Machinability | ★★★★☆ Good | ★★★★★ Excellent | ★★★★★ Best |
| Max Operating Temp | 120°C (248°F) | 140°C (284°F) | 140°C (284°F) |
| Relative Cost | $ Economical | $$ Moderate | $$$ Premium |
| Best Applications | Electrical insulators, terminal boards, switch panels | Gears, bearings, bushings, heavy-duty jigs | Fine gears, precision bushings, intricate parts |
💡 Material Selection Tip: Not sure which grade is right for your application? Our engineering team provides free Design for Manufacturing (DFM) analysis with every quote request. Simply upload your drawings and describe your operating conditions, and we'll recommend the optimal material with technical justification.
Bakelite (Paper Phenolic): The Industry Standard for Electrical Insulation
What is Bakelite?
Bakelite (also known as paper phenolic, phenolic paper laminate, or NEMA grades X/XX/XXX) is the world's first synthetic plastic, invented by Leo Baekeland in 1907. It's manufactured by layering kraft paper sheets impregnated with phenol-formaldehyde resin, then curing under high heat and pressure to create a dense, thermoset laminate.
2025 CNAS Lab Test Results (Type 3021A):
- Flexural Strength: 133 MPa
- Compressive Strength: 254 MPa
- Tensile Strength: 111 MPa
- Dielectric Strength: 9.5 kV/mm (90°C in transformer oil)
- Breakdown Voltage: 68.3 kV
- Insulation Resistance: 8.6×10⁸ Ω (after water immersion)
- Bond Strength: 3332 N
- Water Absorption: 107 mg
Bakelite Applications in Your Industry
Bakelite Fabrication Services
| Service | Capabilities | Learn More |
|---|---|---|
| CNC Milling | Complex 3D shapes, pockets, slots, ±0.03mm tolerance | View Milling → |
| CNC Turning | Bushings, spacers, cylindrical insulators | View Turning → |
| Cut-to-Size | Sheet cutting, panel sizing, precision blanks | View Cutting → |
| Drilling & Tapping | Precision holes, threaded inserts, counterbores | View All CNC → |
| Surface Finishing | Polishing, sandblasting, edge chamfering | View Finishing → |
Garolite (Cloth Phenolic): Superior Mechanical Strength for Demanding Applications
What is Garolite?
Garolite is a trademark of McMaster-Carr that has become a generic term for fabric-reinforced phenolic laminates. It includes both cotton canvas phenolic (NEMA C/CE grades) and linen phenolic (NEMA L/LE grades). The fabric reinforcement provides significantly higher impact resistance, tensile strength, and machinability compared to paper-based Bakelite.
Canvas vs. Linen Phenolic:
- Canvas Phenolic (NEMA C/CE): Coarser weave cotton fabric provides maximum impact resistance and mechanical strength. Best for heavy-duty gears, structural parts, and shock-absorbing components.
- Linen Phenolic (NEMA L/LE): Finer linen weave offers superior machinability for intricate features. Ideal for precision gears, fine bushings, and complex machined parts requiring tight tolerances.
Garolite Applications in Your Industry
Custom Garolite assembly jig delivering years of reliable service on high-volume production lines
Quick Material Selection Guide: Choose the Right Phenolic Grade
Choose Bakelite (Paper Phenolic) When:
- Electrical insulation is your primary requirement
- Working with high-voltage applications (switchgear, transformers)
- Budget is a key consideration
- Mechanical loads are moderate to low
- Parts will operate in dry environments
- Applications: Terminal boards, insulating panels, electrical spacers
Choose Garolite (Cloth Phenolic) When:
- Mechanical strength and impact resistance are critical
- Parts will experience dynamic loads or vibration
- Complex machined features with tight tolerances needed
- Operating temperatures up to 140°C required
- Thread tapping or threaded inserts are needed
- Applications: Gears, bearings, jigs, fixtures, structural parts
Our engineers help you select the optimal material for your specific application requirements
Get Expert Material Recommendation →Custom Phenolic Parts Gallery: Precision CNC Machined Components
Electrical Insulation Components
Precision machined Bakelite parts for switchgear applications
Mixed Phenolic Components
Variety of Bakelite and Garolite parts for industrial use
Precision Turned & Milled Parts
Custom bushings, spacers, and complex components
See more examples of our phenolic machining capabilities in our case studies.
View Case Studies →Advanced 5-Axis CNC Machining
For complex phenolic components requiring intricate geometries, undercuts, or multi-angle features, our 5-axis CNC machining centers deliver exceptional precision in a single setup—reducing handling, improving accuracy, and shortening lead times.
- Complex Contours: 3D surfaces and compound angles
- Single Setup: Reduced handling and improved accuracy
- Undercuts: Features impossible with 3-axis machining
- Prototype to Production: Consistent quality at any volume
Why Choose BeePlastic for Phenolic Laminate Fabrication?
Precision Manufacturing
CNC machining with tolerances as tight as ±0.03mm. Our specialized tooling and expertise ensure consistent accuracy.
Material Expertise
Deep knowledge of all phenolic grades from NEMA XX paper phenolic to CE canvas and LE linen.
No Minimum Order
From single prototypes to production runs of thousands, we handle orders of any size.
Fast Turnaround
Standard delivery in 7-15 business days. Expedited options available for urgent needs.
Quality Assured
CNAS lab certified and SGS RoHS compliant materials. Full dimensional reports available.
Free DFM Analysis
Every quote includes complimentary Design for Manufacturing review and optimization.
Explore Our Complete Material Range
Beyond phenolic laminates, BeePlastic offers precision CNC machining for over 50 engineering plastics. Browse our material pages to find the perfect solution for your application.
Frequently Asked Questions About Phenolic Laminate Machining
What's the difference between Bakelite and Garolite?
Bakelite refers specifically to paper-reinforced phenolic laminate (NEMA XX grades), offering excellent electrical insulation at an economical price. Garolite is a McMaster-Carr trademark that encompasses fabric-reinforced phenolic grades including cotton canvas (NEMA C/CE) and linen (NEMA L/LE), which provide superior mechanical strength and impact resistance. Choose Bakelite when electrical insulation is primary; choose Garolite when mechanical performance matters most.
What certifications do your phenolic materials have?
Our phenolic materials are backed by multiple third-party certifications. We have a 2025 CNAS-accredited test report (No. 202503057) from Guilin CEMI Technology verifying mechanical and electrical properties per GB/T 1303.2-2009 national standard. Additionally, SGS Taiwan has certified our materials as RoHS compliant (Report KA/2020/42176R1) per EU Directive 2011/65/EU.
What tolerances can you achieve with phenolic machining?
We routinely achieve tolerances of ±0.03mm (±0.0012") on phenolic laminate components. The actual achievable tolerance depends on part geometry, material grade (cloth phenolics machine more predictably than paper), and feature size. For critical dimensions, please specify tolerance requirements in your drawing.
Can phenolic parts be threaded?
Yes, phenolic materials can be directly tapped, but thread strength is limited compared to metals. Garolite (cloth phenolic) holds threads significantly better than Bakelite due to fabric reinforcement. For applications requiring repeated assembly/disassembly, we recommend heat-set brass threaded inserts.
What causes delamination in phenolic parts?
Delamination occurs when machining forces exceed the bond strength between laminated layers. Our lab-tested materials show bond strengths of 3332 N. We prevent delamination through proper tool selection, optimized machining parameters, adequate edge clearance, and using backup materials during drilling.
What's the maximum operating temperature?
Paper phenolic (Bakelite/NEMA XX) is rated to 120°C (248°F), while cloth phenolics (Garolite/NEMA CE, LE) can operate continuously at 140°C (284°F). For high-temperature applications above 200°C, consider PEEK, PPS, or polyimide.
Bakelite insulation sheets installed in electrical control panel - protecting critical components in high-voltage environments
Ready to Start Your Phenolic Machining Project?
Upload your drawings for a free quote with DFM analysis. Our engineers will recommend the optimal phenolic grade for your application and provide pricing within 24 hours.
Questions? Contact us directly: beeplastic@beeplastic.com
Precision Plastic Parts We've Delivered
From transparent acrylic displays to precision gears, high-temp phenolic components to custom seals
——we machine any plastic, any complexity.
Custom Plastic Fabrication
1pc to 10,000+ | ±0.03mm | No MOQ
General
HDPE
PP
PVC
ABS
Engineering
POM
Nylon
PC
PMMA
High-Performance
PEEK
PEI
PTFE
Composites
FR-4
G10
Flexible
TPU
Silicone
Why Choose BeePlastic?
Get Quote in 24h
Industries: Automotive • Medical • Food • Lab • Semiconductor
Free consultation → beeplastic@beeplastic.com
24H QUOTE DELIVERY
Upload CAD, get quote in 24 hours
NO MOQ REQUIRED
From 1 prototype to high volume
±0.03MM PRECISION
Advanced CNC with full QC inspection
1000+ TONS STOCK
26+ materials ready to ship