The fundamental difference is the reinforcement material. Bakelite uses paper layers and excels at electrical insulation with superior dielectric strength (400-500 V/mil), while Garolite uses woven cotton or linen fabric and delivers dramatically superior mechanical strength (70-90 MPa tensile vs. 40-50 MPa) and toughness.

They cannot be used interchangeably in most applications because their performance characteristics differ significantly:

• Choose Bakelite when: Electrical insulation is the priority and mechanical loads are moderate
• Choose Garolite when: Mechanical strength, impact resistance, or wear properties are critical

Yes, with proper techniques. Phenolic materials are brittle compared to thermoplastics, but we use specialized carbide tooling, optimized cutting parameters (feed rates, spindle speeds), and appropriate support fixtures to prevent cracking and chipping.

Our experience machining thousands of phenolic components ensures we understand how to work with these materials successfully. Minor edge fraying in Garolite's fabric base is normal and typically doesn't affect function, but we can provide edge finishing if required for aesthetic or sealing applications.

Our standard machining tolerances are ±0.1mm on general dimensions, which is suitable for most functional applications. For critical dimensions, we can achieve ±0.03mm tolerances with appropriate inspection protocols and documentation.

Hole positional tolerances: ±0.05mm standard, ±0.02mm available for precision applications like PCB test fixtures.

However, extremely tight tolerances (±0.01mm or tighter) across entire parts are often unrealistic in phenolic materials due to their brittleness and should be reserved for truly critical features to avoid unnecessary cost increases.

No, we have NO minimum order quantity. We regularly machine single prototype parts and will provide the same precision and quality as production runs of thousands of pieces.

This allows you to:

• Validate designs before committing to larger orders
• Obtain emergency replacement parts for critical equipment downtime
• Economically source low-volume specialty components
• Optimize inventory management without carrying excess stock

When your needs grow from prototype to production, we seamlessly scale to higher quantities without requiring new supplier qualification or setup costs.

The decision depends on your priority requirements:

• Need maximum electrical insulation? → Choose Bakelite (paper phenolic) with 400-500 V/mil dielectric strength
• Need maximum mechanical strength and toughness? → Choose Garolite (cotton phenolic) with 70-90 MPa tensile strength
• Need flame retardancy certification (UL 94V-0)? → Choose FR4 epoxy-glass laminate
• Need superior moisture resistance? → Choose G10/FR4 epoxy-glass for high-humidity environments

If you're uncertain, provide us with your application details (operating conditions, mechanical loads, voltage levels, environmental factors) and our engineers will recommend the optimal material with technical justification.

Yes, phenolic materials can be threaded, but thread strength is limited compared to metals. Garolite holds threads significantly better than Bakelite due to its fabric reinforcement providing better thread engagement.

For best results with native threads:

• Use coarse-pitch threads (UNC rather than UNF, coarse metric vs. fine)
• Ensure adequate thread engagement (1.5× bolt diameter minimum)
• Avoid locations too close to edges (minimum 1.5× thread diameter edge distance)

For applications requiring repeated assembly/disassembly or high pull-out loads, we strongly recommend heat-set brass threaded inserts, which we can install during fabrication. This provides metal-equivalent thread strength in phenolic components and eliminates concerns about thread wear or stripping.

Delamination (separation of laminated layers) occurs when machining forces exceed the bond strength between layers, typically during drilling exit or when machining too close to edges with insufficient support.

Our prevention techniques:

• Compression drill bits: Apply pressure to both entry and exit sides simultaneously, virtually eliminating exit delamination
• Proper backing support: Supporting material behind drill exit points prevents unsupported drilling
• Optimized parameters: Drilling speeds and feeds specifically tuned for phenolic materials
• Appropriate edge distances: Design guidelines ensure adequate material around features

For FR4 and G10, which are more prone to delamination than phenolic, we use specialized drilling processes that achieve delamination-free results even for hundreds of closely-spaced holes in test fixtures.

Quotations: Typically provided within 8 business hours (often faster) of receiving your CAD files and specifications. Our quotes include pricing, realistic lead times, and any DFM recommendations.

Production lead times:

• Simple parts: 3-5 business days for rapid prototyping
• Standard production runs: 10-15 business days typical
• Expedited service: Available for urgent requirements at additional cost

Lead times depend on part complexity, quantity, and our current production schedule. We'll always provide a realistic delivery commitment upfront and keep you updated on progress throughout production.

Yes, we provide comprehensive documentation including:

• Material test reports: Certifications confirming grade, properties, and NEMA compliance
• First article inspection reports: Full dimensional data with measured values vs. specifications
• Certificates of compliance: Confirming parts meet your specifications
• Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS): When required for safety or regulatory purposes
• Country of origin documentation: For customs/import requirements

Additional documentation such as certified inspection reports, material traceability, or specific test certifications can be provided as needed for regulated industries (aerospace, medical, etc.).

We accept all common CAD formats:

• 3D formats: STEP (.stp, .step), IGES (.igs, .iges), Parasolid (.x_t), STL
• 2D formats: PDF, DWG, DXF
• Native CAD: SolidWorks, Inventor, CATIA, Pro/E files

If you don't have CAD files, we can work from dimensioned sketches, physical samples for reverse engineering, or even photographs for simple geometries. 2D PDF drawings with dimensions are often sufficient for simple parts with basic geometries.