What is EP-GM-203?
EP-GM-203 is a glass-mat reinforced hard laminate made of epoxy resin ("hartmatte") to EN 60893. It consists of epoxy resin reinforced with glass-fibre mats and combines high mechanical strength with good electrical insulation performance, at a limiting temperature of 180 °C that is unusually high for glass-mat hard laminates.
Technical Data
| Property | Value | Test Standard |
|---|---|---|
| General Properties | ||
| Density | 2.0 g/cm³ | ISO 1183 |
| Water Absorption | ≤ 40 mg | ISO 62-1 |
| Colour | yellow-brown | – |
| Mechanical Properties | ||
| Flexural Strength 23 °C | ≥ 360 N/mm² | ISO 178 |
| Flexural Strength 150 °C | ≥ 200 N/mm² | ISO 178 |
| Flexural Strength 180 °C | ≥ 100 N/mm² | ISO 178 |
| Tensile Strength | ≥ 250 N/mm² | ISO 527 |
| Compressive Strength ⊥ to Laminations | ≥ 600 N/mm² | ISO 604 |
| Modulus of Elasticity (Flexural) ⊥ | ≥ 20000 N/mm² | ISO 178 |
| Notched Impact Strength | ≥ 50 kJ/m² | ISO 179 |
| Thermal Properties | ||
| Limiting Temperature | 180 °C | EN 60893 |
| Thermal Conductivity | 0.35 W/(m·K) | ISO 8302 |
| Electrical Properties | ||
| Comparative Tracking Index CTI | 180 | IEC 60112 |
| Electric Strength ∥ (90 °C, oil) | ≥ 60 kV | IEC 60243-1 |
| Electric Strength ⊥ (90 °C, 3 mm) | ≥ 13 kV/mm | IEC 60243-1 |
| Insulation Resistance after Water Immersion | ≥ 5 · 10⁹ Ω | IEC 60167 |
EP-GM-203 in detail
1What is EP-GM-203?+
EP-GM-203 (to EN 60893) is a glass-mat reinforced epoxy resin hard laminate ("hartmatte"). It consists of epoxy resin reinforced with glass-fibre mats and combines high mechanical strength with good electrical insulation performance, at a limiting temperature of 180 °C that is unusually high for glass-mat hard laminates. Its colour is characteristically yellow-brown.
2How is EP-GM-203 machined at Liedtke?+
We machine precision parts from EP-GM-203 sheets or round bars. Sawing, milling, drilling and turning produce clean, dimensionally accurate results with sharp, carbide-tipped or diamond-coated tools. Because of the abrasive glass-fibre content, we use wear-resistant tools and ensure adequate dust extraction.
3When should I choose EP-GM-203?+
EP-GM-203 is worthwhile whenever high mechanical load capacity is required at elevated continuous temperature, for example:
- Mechanically highly loaded insulating and structural parts at elevated continuous temperature (up to 180 °C)
- Insulating and separating parts in switchgear and transformer engineering with temperature requirements
- Components in electrical machine construction with simultaneous mechanical and thermal loading
- Support insulators and structural parts requiring high dimensional stability under heat
- Applications in aerospace and rail technology requiring high-temperature insulating parts
4What determines the price of an EP-GM-203 part?+
The component price is determined mainly by sheet thickness or rod diameter, dimensions, material utilisation (offcuts), machining effort and batch size. EP-GM-203 is priced at the upper end of the glass-mat hard laminates, as epoxy resin is more expensive than polyester resin. We are happy to provide binding prices on request based on your drawing.
5When is EP-GM-203 not the right choice?+
EP-GM-203 is not declared suitable for direct food contact. If no particular temperature requirement above 130 °C is needed, UP GM 203 (Hm 2471) is more economical. Where very high tracking resistance is required, epoxy resin (CTI 180) falls short of melamine resin grades (CTI 600). As a thermoset, EP-GM-203 also cannot be reshaped or welded.
6Advantages and disadvantages of EP-GM-203+
An honest assessment, and how the disadvantages can be mitigated in practice:
- Advantage: High mechanical strength, even at elevated temperature
- Advantage: High limiting temperature (180 °C)
- Advantage: Good electrical insulation performance
- Advantage: Thermoset, dimensionally stable
- Advantage: Good machinability
- Disadvantage: Not declared for direct food contact
- Disadvantage: Higher price than polyester hard laminates (UP GM 203)
- Disadvantage: Lower tracking resistance (CTI 180) than melamine resin grades (CTI 600)
- Disadvantage: Abrasive glass-fibre content, increased tool wear
- Disadvantage: Not reshapeable or weldable (thermoset)
Typical Properties
- Glass-mat reinforced epoxy resin hard laminate ("hartmatte")
- High mechanical strength, even at elevated temperature
- High limiting temperature (180 °C)
- Good electrical insulation performance
- Thermoset, dimensionally stable
- Colour yellow-brown
Typical Industries
- Electrical engineering and switchgear construction
- Power supply and transformer engineering
- Mechanical and plant engineering
- Jig, fixture and tool making
- Aerospace and rail technology
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