1. Materials Distribution

Phenolics & Industrial Laminates

Among the oldest plastics on the market, phenolic plastics & industrial laminates are thermoset plastics. Unlike thermoplastics that can change shape when heated, a thermoset plastic cannot be altered by heat. Phenolic plastic is typically made from a combination of resins and fillers such as paper, linen and canvas. They have good electrical characteristics and are resistant to heat, flame and chemicals.

Because phenolic plastic is dimensionally stable, it often is formulated to meet specific requirements such as high electrical resistance. As a result, there are many variations of the basic material. Phenolic is part of a larger family of “Industrial Laminates” that include glass/melamine and glass/epoxy configurations. Melamines are the hardest laminates made and are known for their arc resistance (G-5, G-9). Epoxy is used for its excellent electrical and mechanical properties in both wet and dry conditions (G-9, G-10 and FR-4).