If this screen does not allow you to view the specific grades of Tufnol material by clicking on the required product from a list above this text , please click Laminates followed by Choosing the right grade from the Materials list opposite.
PHENOLIC PAPER LAMINATES FOR ELECTRICAL INSULATION
Phenolic paper grades are strong, rigid and very economical. They have good electrical insulating properties and they are used in a wide range of electrical installations, in equipment where rigid electrical insulation is required. The higher specification grades are chosen for higher voltage and for greater electrical stability in conditions of varying humidity.
The impact strength of phenolic paper grades is not as high as materials in other groups and they are not usually chosen where toughness, bearing properties or high stress carrying capabilities are required. However, the lowest cost grades in this group represent excellent value as rigid non-metallic materials and they are used in a very wide range of less demanding applications.
TUFNOL FABRIC LAMINATES
TUFNOL phenolic cotton materials are the workhorse grades for general mechanical applications. They are strong and tough with very good wear resistance and they are easy to machine into finished components.
They are available with cotton fabric reinforcements, ranging from fine weave to coarse. In general, the medium to coarse weave grades are used for larger and more rugged components, requiring good allround strength and toughness. The finer grades are chosen for their superior finish, higher dimensional stability and improved strength in thin sections.
The electrical properties also tend to be superior in the finer weave grades, but the TUFNOL range includes a medium fabric weave, with enhanced electrical properties, suitable for electro-mechanical applications. The three most widely used TUFNOL cotton fabrics are Carp Brand, Whale Brand and Crow Brand.
TUFNOL HIGH PERFORMANCE LAMINATES
This group includes glass fabric reinforced grades with wide ranging properties, determined by the resins used to bond the laminations. All of these materials are characterised by very high strength properties, good temperature resistance and good dimensional stability.
The range includes grades with exceptional temperature resistance, first class dielectric properties, good resistance to tracking, assessed flammability and superb structural strength and toughness. Epoxy glass materials are used in a very wide range of technically demanding applications, whilst other glass laminates tend to be used for more specialised purposes, or where higher temperature capabilities are required.
These high performance materials are used for a very wide variety of applications where high strength, rigidity, dimensional stability and electrical performance are required. Applications such as insulation in large turbine generators, components for cryogenic superconducting magnets, high strength bolt insulation in struetures,jigs for electro- chemical machining and structural insulation for high performance electronic equipment, these are typical of the many uses to which these materials are put.
Due to their high glass fibre content they are not machined as readily as cotton or paper grades and are not normally suitable for applications involving wear.