What is G-10?

D

Dreamer

Joined
Jan 30, 2005
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What exactly is G-10? I'm assuming that its some space age composite, but would like to know more. Thanks in advance for any information. :)
 
Handle material made of epoxy filled with woven glass fiber that is impervious to changes in temperature and can be tinted into many colors.
as picked off of spydercos website
 
G-10/FR-4 Epoxy

G-10/FR-4 is a thermosetting industrial laminate consisting of a continuous filament glass cloth material with an epoxy resin binder. This product, first introduced in the 1950's, has characteristics of high strength, excellent electrical properties and chemical resistance. These properties are maintained not only at room temperature but also under humid or moist conditions.

Today what is called G-10 is actually FR-4, the flame retardant version of G-10. The material FR-4 can usually be used where G-10 is specified, however G-10 should not be used where FR-4 is specified.

Both G-10 and FR-4 are rated at 285 degree F continuous operating temperature. Because they are thermosets, no melting will occur with these grades, however charring will be observed after extended periods above the temperature rating. FR-4 has a flammability rating of 94 V-0.

With these outstanding characteristics, it is easy to understand why G-10/FR-4 is such a versatile material and is used in a wide variety of applications.

http://www.polymerplastics.com/composite_g10.shtml
 
Dreamer said:
What exactly is G-10? I'm assuming that its some space age composite, but would like to know more. Thanks in advance for any information. :)
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It is simply an epoxy/glassfiber composite. Directional, woven glassfiber is soaked with epoxy which hardens. Very strong, very chemically resistant. FRN in contrast does not have woven glass fabric but simply "stirred in" glass fibers to reinforce the nylon, which is one of the reasons why G-10 is stronger. G-10 is very similar to carbon fiber composites, with the big difference that glassfiber instead of carbon fibers are used. Carbonfibers are stronger, but more importantly lighter than glassfiber.
 
HoB said:
It is simply an epoxy/glassfiber composite. Directional, woven glassfiber is soaked with epoxy which hardens. Very strong, very chemically resistant. FRN in contrast does not have woven glass fabric but simply "stirred in" glass fibers to reinforce the nylon, which is one of the reasons why G-10 is stronger. G-10 is very similar to carbon fiber composites, with the big difference that glassfiber instead of carbon fibers are used. Carbonfibers are stronger, but more importantly lighter than glassfiber.
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um... Actually the densities are similar. But carbon fibers have a much higher strength-to-weight ratio than glass fibers and a much higher modulus. A given weight of carbon fiber is much stronger and stiffer than the same weight of glass fiber. Sorry, I'm a nit picker.

The term "G10" comes from the NEMA specification for circuit board material. The number of the specification is "G10". The "G10" that is found in knife handles is similar in composition to circuit boards, but is processed somewhat differently to produce adequate "grippiness". The article that rifon2 quoted is talking about circuitboard, which indeed is made from the FR-4 variant. I have doubts that knifemakers would need to use the FR-4 variant unless that is all that is commercially available.

There are many excellent epoxy glass laminate materials available. There is nothing in the G10 specification that controls the properties that knifemakers or knife users are interested in. Not having talked to knife makers, I am unsure if they really use "G10" grade epoxy glass laminate or some other grade of epoxy glass laminate and use the term "G10" to describe it because "G10" has become a known term. However, it is certain that they use some form of epoxy glass laminate. And it makes a very good handle material.
 
knarfeng said:
um... Actually the densities are similar. But carbon fibers have a much higher strength-to-weight ratio than glass fibers and a much higher modulus. A given weight of carbon fiber is much stronger and stiffer than the same weight of glass fiber. Sorry, I'm a nit picker.

The term "G10" comes from the NEMA specification for circuit board material. The number of the specification is "G10". The "G10" that is found in knife handles is similar in composition to circuit boards, but is processed somewhat differently to produce adequate "grippiness". The article that rifon2 quoted is talking about circuitboard, which indeed is made from the FR-4 variant. I have doubts that knifemakers would need to use the FR-4 variant unless that is all that is commercially available.

There are many excellent epoxy glass laminate materials available. There is nothing in the G10 specification that controls the properties that knifemakers or knife users are interested in. Not having talked to knife makers, I am unsure if they really use "G10" grade epoxy glass laminate or some other grade of epoxy glass laminate and use the term "G10" to describe it because "G10" has become a known term. However, it is certain that they use some form of epoxy glass laminate. And it makes a very good handle material.
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Thanks for the clarification, knarfeng.

BTW, I have a relative who works in nuclear fusion research, and once when I
showed him my BM 710, and mentioned what the handle was made of, he nodded and said "oh yeah, I'm familiar with G10. I work with the stuff."
 
Fiberglass can be any resin with glass fiber reinforcement.

G10 specifically uses epoxy resin and woven glass fiber reinforcement.
 
You are of course right that strength to weight ratio is the relevant aspect.

But to be nit picky as well: the density of the fiber itself depends on the the type of glass used and the difference can be as little as 25% (which, in my book is rather appreciable, imagine what difference that makes on the scale of an airplane) or can be as much as several hundred percent. But most glass fibers have a density of 2.2-2.6 g/cm^3, while carbon fibers are usually around 1.8 g/cm^3. However, I was really more talking about the carbonfiber endproduct and not about the fiber itself. There the density depends on fill density and epoxy used (since CF is a generic term like fiberglass).

But you are perfectly right with with your comment especially when talking about scale materials. The paragraph above I just wrote to be a smarta$$ ;) :D.
 
HoB said:
You are of course right that strength to weight ratio is the relevant aspect.

But to be nit picky as well: the density of the fiber itself depends on the the type of glass used and the difference can be as little as 25% (which, in my book is rather appreciable, imagine what difference that makes on the scale of an airplane) or can be as much as several hundred percent. But most glass fibers have a density of 2.2-2.6 g/cm^3, while carbon fibers are usually around 1.8 g/cm^3. However, I was really more talking about the carbonfiber endproduct and not about the fiber itself. There the density depends on fill density and epoxy used (since CF is a generic term like fiberglass).

But you are perfectly right with with your comment especially when talking about scale materials. The paragraph above I just wrote to be a smarta$$ ;) :D.
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Touche HoB. :D I was moving too fast. I should know better than to get fussy with your info. :D
 
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