Rapid Axis for G-10 (FR-4) CNC Machining Services
G-10, FR-4, and Garolite are all different names that refer to basically the same material: a high-pressure fiberglass laminate which is a form of composite material. The material itself is made of layers of glass cloth that get soaked in epoxy resin, leaving you with a very strong, electrically insulating material.
This plastic composite offers a rare combination of high strength, great electrical insulation, impressive dimensional stability, and chemical resistance. You might use it instead of metal in non-conductive applications since it works so well in harsh industrial environments.
Why Choose Rapid Axis for G-10/FR-4 CNC Parts?
As a specialty material, there aren’t tons of machine shops that can handle G-10/FR-4. At Rapid Axis, we offer G-10 CNC machining services that can meet the needs of your most difficult project.
We’ve made parts for aerospace, electronics, and marine companies who know how hard it is to source a full-service machine shop to help with FR-4 fabrication.
Parts made to customer drawing tolerances
Quick lead times and service
Finishing and second operations supported
Available Materials
Similar to the difference between POM-C and Delrin, there are a lot of names for G-10, which ultimately refer to what type of G-10 is used. In our shop, we offer a few different options to choose from:
G-10 Standard
This is a high-strength option that is best for general structural applications and robotics. It isn’t flame-resistant, but it boasts good moisture resistance.
FR-4
FR-4 is the flame-resistant version, which has slightly lower mechanical strength but meets UL94 V-0 standards for flammability. This works well in aerospace and medical projects.
Garolite XX
This paper-based phenolic laminate has great dielectric strength, and works well in low-load electrical applications. It is tougher to work with and not as strong as G-10, but has superior electrical properties.
Garolite CE
This version of Garolite uses cotton fabric to make the material easier to machine, but it has a worsened dielectric performance. As a result, it’s a better choice for mechanical parts or bushings.
Garolite LE
Finally, Garolite LE is a low-friction laminate with great strength. It is a more expensive option, but can be used as a low-wear bearing surface.
Finishing Options
We offer a few different finishing options for the G-10 parts that we fabricate. Most G-10 parts are left as-machined, but feel free to choose a finish to help with the aesthetics, performance, and/or durability of your parts.
Bead Blasting
Bead blasting is a finishing option that involves shooting tiny pellets against your G-10 parts. These pellets remove tool marks and make the surface more uniform. We suggest bead blasting in customer-facing parts, since this hides the tool marks.
Engraving or Laser Marking
Engraving can be used to add part IDs, labels, instructions, or logos to your parts. This is a permanent option that allows us to mark your parts without contacting them, which helps for delicate, contamination-free parts.
Surface Sealing
For some added durability, we can also provide surface sealing to your G-10 parts. This adds another layer of sealant or an epoxy coating that helps with moisture resistance, reduces dusting, makes for cleaner handling, and adds some durability to your parts. It is important for marine applications where exposure to high-moisture environments is inevitable.
Key Features of G-10
As mentioned, G-10 has a unique combination of material properties. Some of its key features are:
- High strength-to-weight ratio. G-10 is lightweight but incredibly strong, making it an acceptable option for load-bearing applications where weight matters.
- Electrical insulator. With excellent dielectric properties, G-10 is an amazing electrical insulator, even in high-voltage applications.
- Good chemical and corrosion resistance. In addition, FR-4 is resistant to many fuels, oils, and industrial solvents. This makes it a great choice within chemical facilities or more harsh environments.
- Better moisture resistance. You can also use Garolite in marine settings since this material maintains its dimensional stability in humid or wet environments.
General Restrictions
Like any material, there are some restrictions when working with G-10:
- Tolerancing. We offer tolerances of ±0.005 inches or tighter with 2D drawings for our CNC-machined parts.
- Maximum Part Size. Like any machine shop, we have some part size limitations. Contact us directly to confirm whether we can meet your size and tolerancing requirements.
- Surface Finish. After machining, G-10 parts tend to show pronounced tool marks that usually necessitate some type of post-processing to clean the parts up.
G-10 CNC Machining Applications with Rapid Axis
Since Garolite is a more specialized material, you won’t find it used in every single industry, but there are plenty of applications when this plastic composite makes sense:
Electronics
Electronics is a no-brainer for G-10 since it’s so strong, can be machined, is an electrical insulator, and can resist so many materials. You’ll see G-10 used as insulating spacers, substrates on PCBs, and as relay components.
Aerospace and Aviation
In the sky, companies use FR-4 for high-strength insulators, cable routing brackets, and fire-resistant panels since FR-4 is a flame-resistant material.
Robotics and Automation
Most robotics projects will use some form of G-10 within their electrical components. It can be used for sensor brackets, mounting plates, gear housings, and enclosures or shields when standard metal sheet metal doesn’t work.
Marine
Since Garolite is moisture-resistant, it’s also used in plenty of marine and maritime projects. From what we’ve seen in the past, Garolite is a great choice for moisture-resistant panels that need to be used in wet and corrosive environments, as well as for structural components that need to be lighter than metal frames.
Industrial Equipment
Industrial equipment sometimes uses G-10 for parts that surround electrical assemblies. For instance, you can use G-10 to make a non-conductive jig that fits around an electrical part, or as wear plates since G-10 is resistant to so many oils, chemicals, and mechanical wear.