Bakelite Paper & Clothe Based Sheets
(Phenolic Laminated Sheets)

Bakelite (Phenolic) Industrial Laminates, focusing on both the Paper-based and Cloth-based varieties.

Paper-Based Phenolic Laminates

These are high-pressure laminates manufactured by saturating layers of specialized electrical-grade paper with phenolic resin, then curing them under heat and pressure. They are the "original" Bakelite materials.

Features:

1. Superior Electrical Insulation: Excellent dielectric strength, especially in higher grades.
2. High Rigidity: Very stiff and hard, resisting deformation under pressure.
3. Cost-Effective: Typically the most economical choice among industrial laminates.
4. Good Machinability: Can be sawn, drilled, and even "hot-punched" (stamped into shapes when heated).
5. Low Moisture Absorption: High-end grades maintain electrical properties even in humid conditions.

Applications

1. Electrical Components: Terminal boards, switchgear panels, and insulating washers.
2. Electronics: Substrates for radio chassis and older PCB technology.
3. Industrial Tooling: Drill backup boards and entry materials for CNC routing.
4. High-Voltage Insulation: Barrier plates and transformer components.

Available Shapes

Sheets, Rods, Tubes and Bearings

Cloth-Based Phenolic Laminates

These use woven cotton fabrics (either coarse canvas or fine linen) as the reinforcement base. The fabric weave makes them much "tougher" and more resistant to physical impact than paper-based versions.

Features:

1. Exceptional Toughness: High impact resistance; they do not chip or crack as easily as paper grades.
2. Wear Resistance: Naturally resistant to friction, making them ideal for moving parts.
3. Fine Machining: Linen (Grade L/LE) allows for very intricate machining and holds tight tolerances for small parts.
4. Noise Reduction: When used as gears, they run much quieter than metal-on-metal components.
5. Mechanical Strength: High tensile and flexural strength for structural loads.

Applications

1. Gears and Pinions: Used in industrial machinery where silent, spark-free operation is needed.
2. Pulleys and Rollers: Heavy-duty rollers for conveyor systems.
3. Bushings and Bearings: Used in marine and automotive applications because they are "self-lubricating."
4. Structural Parts: Jigs, fixtures, and heavy-duty spacers in manufacturing.