"Obelix" wrote in message
m...
Does anybody know what are the drawbacks of using a paper phenolic
based pcb on a simple circuit design?

Paper phenolic is used in imported electronic equipment because the holes in
those boards are punched in a single operation. Holes cannot be punched into
epoxy boards; they have to be individually drilled by a CNC machine.

Paper does not lend itself to fine laminations the way glass epoxy does.
Therefore, multilayer boards are impractical. Ground planes cannot be
incorporated.

Paper is not as fire retardant as epoxy.

Epoxy is much stronger. Epoxy boards with plated-through eyelets can
reliably mount interface connectors that tend to break off when mounted on
paper boards.

If you're having a small number of boards made, you will not see the entire
cost advantage of paper, because one step hole punching is not done, AFAIK,
by any domestic board manufacturers.