Thermoset comparison
Epoxy (DGEBA, amine-cured) vs Phenolic (phenol-formaldehyde)
Every value below is a typical room-temperature figure with its source, test method and conditions — the same dataset that drives the calculators.
| Property | Epoxy (DGEBA, amine-cured) | Phenolic (phenol-formaldehyde) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 1.2 g/cm³ | 1.28 g/cm³ | Phenolic (phenol-formaldehyde) — 7% higher |
| Young's modulus E | 3.45 GPa | 3.5 GPa | Phenolic (phenol-formaldehyde) — 1% higher |
| Tensile strength | 70 MPa | 50 MPa | Epoxy (DGEBA, amine-cured) — 40% higher |
| Glass transition Tg | 120 °C | 175 °C | Phenolic (phenol-formaldehyde) — 55 °C higher |
Where these numbers come from
- Daniel & Ishai, Engineering Mechanics of Composite Materials, 2nd ed.
- Callister & Rethwisch, Materials Science and Engineering, 10th ed.
Typical room-temperature values for learning and preliminary design; grades vary widely and a supplier datasheet always overrides a textbook figure. Confirm against the datasheet before design work.