Composites of phenolic resin of novolac type as matrix, with metal particles of Zn as conducting filler, without or with 15% v/v carbon fibers were manufactured by hot pressing. The porosity ratio, the hardness, the flexural and shear strength, and the electrical conductivity of the composites were determined. The percolation threshold was determined based on two models of electrical conductivity versus the content of metal particles of Zn, namely, an analogous to polymer gelation model and the other based on the power law. The composites of carbon fibers combined with Zn particles have higher electrical conductivity than the corresponding without carbon fibers and high strength, lower than that of the composite reinforced with carbon fibers without Zn particles, but still acceptable. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 121: 1890-1900, 2011