Thermoset comparison
Phenolic (phenol-formaldehyde) vs Polyester (unsaturated, cast)
Every value below is a typical room-temperature figure with its source, test method and conditions — the same dataset that drives the calculators.
| Property | Phenolic (phenol-formaldehyde) | Polyester (unsaturated, cast) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 1.28 g/cm³ | 1.2 g/cm³ | Phenolic (phenol-formaldehyde) — 7% higher |
| Young's modulus E | 3.5 GPa | 3.2 GPa | Phenolic (phenol-formaldehyde) — 9% higher |
| Tensile strength | 50 MPa | 55 MPa | Polyester (unsaturated, cast) — 10% higher |
| Glass transition Tg | 175 °C | 75 °C | Phenolic (phenol-formaldehyde) — 100 °C higher |
Where these numbers come from
- 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.