Material designation, G-10, comes from a National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) standard. G stands for Glass Fiber, and 10 usually refers to the percentage of glass fiber in the G10 sheet, which was initially 10%. It was first used as a substrate for printed circuit boards.
G-10 is a high-pressure fiberglass laminate, a type of composite material. It is created by stacking multiple layers of glass cloth, soaked in epoxy resin, and by compressing the resulting material under heat until the epoxy cures. It is manufactured in flat sheets, most often a few millimeters thick.
G10 has the characteristics of insulation, acid and alkali corrosion resistance, and wear resistance, and it is favored for its high strength, low moisture absorption, and high level of electrical insulation and chemical resistance. These properties are maintained not only at room temperature but also under humid or moist conditions. The processed products will not be affected by moisture. The penetration of oil and other liquids. The density of G10 insulation board is low, and the processed product is light and handy. At the same time, the hardness of G10 insulation board is very high. Many times G10 materials are used in aviation. In addition, in life, we are likely to be exposed to G10 materials at any time, For example, more and more tool holders, like knife, are made of G10 material.
G-10 is generally safe to handle outside of extreme conditions.
- Hazards can result from cutting or grinding the material, as glass and epoxy dust are well known to contribute to respiratory disorders and increase the risk of developing lung cancer. For any work of this kind, the work space should be appropriately ventilated and masks or respirators must be worn.
- Epoxy resin is flammable and, once set on fire, will burn violently, giving off poisonous gases.
Therefore similar materials like FR-4 containing flame retardant additives have replaced G-10 in many applications.