"TUFNOL" laminates have a wide range of characteristics and it is important to select the correct type for each application.

Phenolic Paper Grades

These materials are strong, rigid and very economical, with good electrical insulation properties. They are used in a wide range of electrical installations and 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 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 this results in their use in a very wide range of less demanding applications.

Nominal sheet size approx 1200x1200mm, Minimum size 46" x 46"

• Kite brand sheet 0.8mm to 25.4mm

• Heron brand sheet 1.6mm to 25.4mm

• Grade 2P/20 sheet 0.8mm to 3.2mm

• Grade 1P/24 sheet 0.8mm to 25.4mm

• Grade 1P/21 sheet 0.8mm to 25.4mm

• Grade 1P/13 sheet 0.8mm to 25.4mm

Nominal rod length approx 1200mm, Minimum length 46" 

• Swan brand rod Ø 3.2mm to 38.1mm

"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 to medium to coarse. In general, the medium to coarse weave grades are used for larger and more rugged components requiring good all round 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 higher in the finer grades. However, the "TUFNOL" range includes a medium fabric weave with enhanced electrical properties, suitable for electrical and electro-mechanical applications.

Nominal sheet size approx 1200x1200mm, Minimum size 46" x 46"

• Carp brand sheet 0.4mm to 88.9mm

• Lynx brand sheet 0.4mm to 88.9mm

• Vole brand sheet 0.4mm to 114.3mm

• Grade 2F/14sheet 0.8mm to 101.6mm

• Whale brand sheet 0.4mm to 228.6mm

• Bear brand sheet 1.6mm to 203.2mm

• Crow brand sheet 0.4mm to 228.6mm Nominal rod length approx 1200mm

Nominal rod length approx 1200mm, Minimum length 46" 

• Carp brand rod Ø 3.2mm to 152.4mm

• Vole brand rod Ø 3.2mm to 228.6mm

• Whale brand rod Ø 3.2mm to 228.6mm

• Bear brand rod Ø 9.5mm to 152.4mm

• Crow brand rod Ø 3.2mm to 228.6mm

The outstanding features of these grades of Tufnol are characterised by their excellent electrical properties, particularly their resistance to surface tracking and by low water absorption, good dimensional stability and higher working temperature than their phenolic counterparts. In particular, the fine weave cotton fabric grade offers first class electrical properties with excellent wear resistance, a combination not fond in other grades. This material provides a superb machined finish and it is used in many exacting wear applications, where very good dimensional stability is needed.

AVAILABILITY

Nominal sheet size approx 1200x1200mm, Minimum size 46" x 46"

• Grade 2P/45 sheet 0.8mm to 25.4mm

• Grade 6F/45 sheet 0.8mm to 76.2mm 

Nominal rod length approx 1200mm, Minimum length 46" 

• Grade 6F/45 rod Ø 9.5mm to 50.8mm

Polyester resin bonded glass mat laminates are a useful group which fall in price and performance between the phenolic paper grades and higher performance woven glass types. They are good electrical insulators with higher temperature capability than the phenolic paper materials. They are reasonably strong and rigid and grades with assessed flammability characteristics are included. They are not as easy to machine as phenolic paper grades and would not usually be chosen for wearing applications. Common applications include insulating panels in electrical equipment and similar items.

AVAILABILITY

Nominal sheet size approx 1250x2000mm

• Grade PGM/2 sheet 0.8mm to 50mm

• Grade PGM/3 sheet 0.8mm to 50mm

This group includes grades with wide ranging properties determined by the type of resin used to bond the laminations. All of these materials are characterised by very high strength properties, good temperature resistance and good dimensional stability. 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. The range includes grades with exceptional temperature resistance, first class dielectric properties, good resistance to tracking, assessed flammability and superb structural strength and toughness. These materials are used in a wide range of technically demanding applications.

AVAILABILITY

Nominal sheet size approx 1200x1200mm, Minimum size 46" x 46"

• Grade 10G/24 sheet 0.8mm to 25mm

• Grade 10G/30 sheet 0.8mm to 25.4mm

• Grade 10G/40 sheet 0.15mm to 101.6mm Grade 10G/41 sheet 0.15mm to 101.6mm

• Grade 10G/42 sheet 0.8mm to 101.6mm

• Grade 10G/50 sheet 0.8mm to 25.4mm Grade 6G/91 sheet 0.8mm to 38.1mm

Nominal rod length approx 1200mm, Minimum length 46" 

• Grade 10G/40 rod Ø 12.7mm to 50.8mm