Description
SRBF Cotton Fabric Phenolic Resin Laminate Rod
Our SRBF (Synthetic Resin Bonded Fabric) cotton phenolic laminate rod is a premium-grade engineering insulation bar manufactured from medium-weave cotton fabric pre-impregnated with phenolic resin, then compressed under extreme pressure and heat-cured to produce an exceptionally rigid, strong and dimensionally stable round bar. Available in two diameters (90 mm and 100 mm) and three standard lengths (150 mm, 300 mm and 600 mm), this versatile material is ideal for a broad range of mechanical and low-voltage electrical engineering applications.
What Is SRBF Phenolic Cotton Laminate Rod?
SRBF phenolic cotton rod is a thermoset composite material. Cotton fabric sheets are pre-soaked in phenolic resin, then tightly wound and layered until the desired diameter is reached. The resulting billet is placed in a rod mould and hot-pressed under up to three tonnes of pressure before being fully cured. This process produces a material that, like plywood, is highly rigid across the grain — approximately twice the stiffness of nylon — giving it superior resistance to creep under sustained mechanical load.
Key Properties & Technical Data
- Material designation: SRBF – Synthetic Resin Bonded Fabric
- Colour: Brown / light tan
- Density: 1.35 g/cm³ (rod)
- Tensile strength: 68 MPa
- Cross-breaking strength: 130 MPa
- Compressive strength (flatwise): 310 MPa
- Compressive strength (edgewise): 200 MPa
- Maximum working temperature (continuous): 120 °C
- Maximum working temperature (intermittent): 130 °C
- Specific heat: 1.5 kJ/kg·K
- Weight: Approximately one-fifth the weight of steel; half the weight of aluminium
Advantages of SRBF Phenolic Laminate Rod
- High rigidity and strength combined with low weight
- Excellent electrical insulation at low voltages
- Good thermal insulation properties
- Maximum working temperature of 120–130 °C — higher than nylon
- Does not degrade or creep at elevated temperatures the way nylon and many other engineering plastics do
- Non-corrosive; can reduce corrosion in adjacent metal parts
- Excellent resistance to sustained compressive loads with minimal creep
- Outstanding weather resistance — suitable for outdoor, marine and aerospace environments
- Good resistance to chemicals, oils, solvents and hydrocarbons
- Can be lubricated with water, oil or grease, or run completely dry
- Excellent wear resistance and toughness for friction-bearing applications
- Easily machined on conventional machine tools (lathes, mills, drills, CNC)
- Can be bonded with araldite, epoxy or contact adhesives
Typical Applications
SRBF phenolic cotton rod is widely used across mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, marine, rail and aerospace industries. Typical applications include:
- Bearings and plain bushes
- Spacers and distance pieces
- Rollers and guides
- Jigs and fixtures
- Wear-resistant components
- Low-voltage electrical insulation components
- Structural non-metallic parts requiring high stiffness
- Marine and offshore components (water-lubricated bearings)
Limitations & What This Material Should Not Be Used For
- Not suitable for gears or washers — the laminated construction limits tooth and edge strength
- Not suitable for high-voltage electrical insulation applications or circuit board components
- Not approved for direct food contact applications
- Concentrated acids and alkalis will attack the laminate
- Produces dust when machined; prolonged drilling may cause localised melting on the drill bit
- Delicate or intricate machined parts may be subject to delamination shearing
Machining & Fabrication
SRBF phenolic rod cannot be re-melted or thermoformed. All finished components must be produced by machining. It cuts cleanly on saws, lathes, milling machines, drill presses and high-speed CNC centres. Adequate dust extraction is recommended during machining. When drilling at depth, use appropriate speeds and feeds to avoid heat build-up.
Dimensional Tolerances
Manufacturers supply SRBF rod slightly oversize on diameter to allow finishing to final dimensions. Standard diameter tolerances for this material are:
- Nominal diameter up to 25.0 mm: +0.15 mm maximum deviation
- Nominal diameter 25.0–50.0 mm: +0.25 mm maximum deviation
- Nominal diameter 50.0–75.0 mm: +0.30 mm maximum deviation
- Nominal diameter 75.0–100.0 mm: +0.35 mm maximum deviation
Available Sizes
This listing covers the following standard diameter and length combinations:
- 90 mm diameter × 150 mm length
- 90 mm diameter × 300 mm length
- 90 mm diameter × 600 mm length
- 100 mm diameter × 150 mm length
- 100 mm diameter × 300 mm length
- 100 mm diameter × 600 mm length
Larger diameters and custom lengths are available — please contact our sales team for a quotation.
Why Choose SRBF Phenolic Cotton Laminate Rod?
This material is a tried-and-tested non-metallic engineering solution with decades of proven performance in demanding environments. It is hard, rigid and strong, yet lightweight (approximately one-fifth the weight of steel and half the weight of aluminium). Its excellent wear resistance, dimensional stability and ability to operate without conventional lubrication make it particularly valuable in marine, rail and general mechanical engineering contexts where metals would corrode or heavier materials would add excessive weight.