Since 1927, New Process Fibre has served as an industry leader in custom stamping and manufacturing. Our experienced team is always searching for advanced technologies in plastic stampings that will fulfill our customers’ ever-increasing demands for non-metallic stamped products with a range of new applications and processes.
This commitment to innovation guarantees the highest quality stamped parts from a variety of materials, especially our G-10 FR4 NEMA Grade material non-metallic washers and plastic stampings. New Process Fibre uses this material as an alternative to metal products when stamping our epoxy glass flat washers and epoxy glass spacers. The end result is high-performance, cost-effective custom components that have substantial benefits for numerous applications.
What are G-10 FR4 NEMA Grade Material Washers?
To understand this type of non-metallic washers, it is best to break the name down into two separate parts:
G-10 FR4
This is a woven glass and brominated epoxy laminate, which carries a flame retardant grading. The epoxy resin is made from an epichlorohydrin/bisphenol and epoxy resin. It contains no other halogenated compounds, except residuals from the base resin. Through its powerful combination of continuous woven glass fabric and interwoven epoxy resin, G-10 FR4 can achieve an extremely high strength to weight ratio. It can retain up to 25% of flexural strength, while preserving electrical properties, in operating temperatures up to 266° F.
NEMA Grade
The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) sets generally accepted industry standards for glass epoxy laminates designated for use in automotive, aerospace, industrial, electronics, and petroleum applications. Each laminate must meet strict mechanical, electrical, and chemical performance characteristics to receive the industry designation.
Industry Applications that Utilize G-10 FR4 NEMA Grade Material Washers
Non-metallic washers serve many of the same purposes as traditional metal washers but offer a number of property and price advantages that set them apart. The main purpose of a washer is to evenly distribute pressure across a wider area for fasteners such as nuts, bolts, and screws.
With their well-established reliability and endurance factors, plastic washers made from G-10 FR4 NEMA Grade materials are commonly used for electrical and electronic insulation applications that often require low moisture absorption and high physical strength. They are also used in printed circuit boards applications, as well as high strength composite parts. Typical applications include:
- Electrical controls
- Lighting equipment
- Terminal boards
- Timers
- Electrical switches
- Transformers
- Arc barriers
- Medical devices
- Structural components
- Aerospace applications
- Automotive systems
- Plumbing and marine equipment
What are the Benefits of G-10 FR4 NEMA Grade Material Washers?
At New Process Fibre, our engineers are well aware of the growing need for highly specialized and custom materials for non-metallic stamping services. That is why we are so pleased with the many benefits that can be realized by using G-10 FR4 NEMA Grade material washers as alternatives to metal-stamped products:
- Boasting a tensile strength up to 40,000 psi, G-10 FR4 NEMA Grade material washers offer excellent mechanical strength and high impact resistance. They remain stiff and strong through long-term use.
- They have a low coefficient of thermal expansion and offer excellent electrical insulating properties in various weather conditions, from extremely dry to very humid.
- Bromine is an oxygen scavenger that gives the G-10 FR4 epoxy resin its excellent flammability rating. These flame retardant factors are of critical importance in many industrial, manufacturing and consumer-facing applications.
- G-10 FR4 has a water absorption rate of almost 0% and is also saltwater-resistant. This makes our non-metallic washers ideal for use in marine components and equipment.
- Products made with this material are dimensionally stable and feature creep resistance, so they continue to perform as designed.
Based on its noted strength, reliability, safety, and consistency factors, G-10 FR4 NEMA Grade material can be an excellent choice for many applications. Talk to the team at New Process Fibre to determine whether the thermal, physical, electrical, and mechanical qualities of G-10 FR4 NEMA Grade material are suitable for your project. Once we have determined how best to meet your specific needs, our state-of-the-art non-metallic stamping processes will then enable you to quickly receive high-precision, cost-effective custom components.
G-10 FR4 NEMA Grade Material Washers and Plastic Stampings from New Process Fibre
Located in Greenwood, Delaware, New Process Fibre continues an almost 100 year-long tradition of improving products, maximizing quality, and maintaining cost-effectiveness for customers. All operations are kept in-house to ensure every step of the non-metallic stamping process is performed to our high standards. Request a quote, contact us or visit our website to download our Non-Metallic Stamping eBook to learn more about using G-10 FR4 NEMA Grade materials to meet your unique needs.