Atlas Fibre

Phenolic composites are engineered to ablate in a controlled, predictable way when exposed to extreme combustion temperatures, supersonic gases, pressure, and particle erosion.

As the material breaks down:

→ Pyrolysis absorbs thermal energy
→ A carbon-rich char layer insulates the structure
→ Released gases help reduce surface heat transfer
→ Fiber reinforcement stabilizes the material as it recedes

Carbon-, silica-, and glass-reinforced phenolics can each serve different regions of the nozzle based on heat, erosion, and insulation requirements.

Explore how phenolic composites protect critical rocket hardware by giving up part of themselves by design: https://www.atlasfibre.com/phenolic-composites-rocket-nozzle-ablation/

Owning a 5-axis machine doesn’t automatically make a supplier the right choice for your part.

When sourcing complex components in G-10, FR-4, phenolics, PEEK, or PEI, the process behind the quote matters as much as the price.

A qualified supplier should be able to explain:

→ Why the geometry requires 5-axis machining
→ How tooling is matched to the specific material grade
→ How tool wear and heat are controlled
→ How delamination, breakout, and distortion are inspected
→ How fewer setups improve tolerance and lead time

The real value of 5-axis machining isn’t the number of axes. It’s combining advanced equipment with material-specific process control.

Explore what sourcing teams should ask before awarding complex machining work: https://www.atlasfibre.com/evaluating-suppliers-for-5-axis-composite-machining-a-procurement-guide/

Shrinking the tool doesn’t simply shrink the machining process, it changes the physics.

At microfeature scale, phenolics, G-10, FR-4, and glass epoxies behave as layers of resin and reinforcement, not as uniform plastics. Minor runout, tool wear, part movement, or edge breakout can consume the entire tolerance.

Repeatable composite micromachining depends on:

→ Sharp, wear-resistant tooling
→ Minimal spindle and tool runout
→ Full support near the cutting zone
→ Controlled heat and dust evacuation
→ Inspection throughout production

In this work, a tool is finished when precision begins to slip—not when it finally breaks.

Explore what it takes to machine small, intricate composite features with repeatable results: https://www.atlasfibre.com/micromachining-composites-a-different-kind-of-hard/

A sensor housing does more than protect the electronics—it can influence how the sensor performs.

Thermoset composites are a strong alternative to metal when an application requires:

→ Electrical isolation
→ Corrosion and chemical resistance
→ Low weight and thermal stability
→ RF transparency
→ Nonmagnetic performance

But material selection must begin with the sensor itself. A housing designed for high-voltage instrumentation may be unsuitable for an antenna, magnetic sensor, temperature probe, or chemical-wetted device.

Explore how glass-epoxy, phenolic, vinyl ester, and other thermoset composites can be engineered around the sensing environment—not simply substituted for metal: https://www.atlasfibre.com/using-composites-for-sensor-housings/

What does “96/23/50” mean on a material data sheet?

It isn’t an arbitrary code. It tells you how a test specimen was conditioned before its properties were measured:

→ 96 hours
→ At 23°C
→ At 50% relative humidity

Temperature, humidity, moisture, and prior conditioning can all affect the mechanical and electrical properties of thermoset composites. That means two results can differ without either being wrong, they may simply reflect different test conditions.

Understanding ASTM conditioning codes helps engineers compare materials more accurately and determine whether published data reflects the intended service environment.

Explore how to read these codes, and why Condition A may not tell the whole story: https://www.atlasfibre.com/understanding-material-conditioning-what-your-data-sheet-really-means/

Thermoset composite laminates serve as sacrificial sliding, bearing, and impact interfaces, helping prevent galling, seizure, corrosion, vibration, and damage to costly equipment.

Machined phenolic and glass-reinforced laminates are commonly used for:

→ Wear pads and guide liners
→ Bushings and thrust washers
→ Coil-car and transfer-system pads
→ Chock-window and cassette liners
→ Stops, spacers, and impact interfaces

The goal is simple: protect critical steel structures with a durable, replaceable nonmetallic component that can be changed during planned maintenance. Explore how thermoset composites perform in demanding steel-mill applications: https://www.atlasfibre.com/not-just-made-in-america-machined-in-america/

Great work starts with great people.

At Atlas Fibre, it starts with the people who show up each day ready to solve problems, help one another and take pride in doing the job well. Their experience, care and commitment can be seen in every material we produce, every part we machine and every order we ship.

This Labor Day, we are especially grateful for our entire team and for the customers, suppliers and partners who work alongside us.

We hope you and your families enjoy a safe, relaxing and well-earned Labor Day.

Large-part plastic machining isn’t simply small-part machining scaled up.

As components grow, thermal expansion, internal stress, material deflection, moisture absorption, and even clamping pressure can have a greater effect on finished geometry.

Successful machining requires a process built around the material:

→ Stable, conditioned stock
→ Balanced material removal
→ Low-distortion workholding
→ Effective heat and chip control
→ Final machining after stabilization

From G-10/FR-4 and phenolics to PEEK, nylon, acetal, and UHMW-PE, every material responds differently to cutting forces, temperature, and stress release.

Explore what it takes to produce large, complex components with repeatable dimensional control: https://www.atlasfibre.com/large-part-cnc-machining-of-advanced-plastics-what-engineers-need-to-know/

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August at Atlas Fibre - in pictures!

Our latest monthly gallery is ready, featuring the people, precision processes, and parts that kept us moving forward throughout the month.

Take a look behind the scenes: https://atlasfibre.com/gallery/

Gallery Explore our monthly gallery and the people, processes and products of Atlas Fibre.

It’s National Composites Week!

At Atlas Fibre, composites aren’t just materials - they’re the foundation for stronger, lighter, and more reliable solutions across aerospace, energy, infrastructure, semiconductor, industrial, and other demanding applications.

From manufacturing thermoset composite laminates to precision machining complex, close-tolerance components, we help turn advanced materials into parts engineered for real-world performance.

This week, we’re proud to celebrate the materials, technologies, and people moving the composites industry forward - and Atlas Fibre’s role in building what’s next.