Tufnol Engineering Composite Materials and Products

Phenolic is a thermosetting resin (phenol formaldehyde) that sets hard and heat-stable once cured. In laminate form, the form Tufnol makes, layers of paper or woven cotton are impregnated with phenolic resin and pressed under heat to create a strong, rigid material with good electrical insulation and excellent machinability. It is the basis of Tufnol’s paper (SRBP) and cotton fabric (SRBF) grades. See the phenolic paper grades on the paper laminates page.

Tufnol is made from layers of reinforcement – paper, woven cotton fabric or woven glass cloth – impregnated with a thermosetting resin, usually phenolic or epoxy, then stacked and cured under heat and high pressure into a solid sheet, rod or tube. The reinforcement and resin chosen set the grade’s properties, from economical electrical insulation to tough mechanical parts. Explore the cotton fabric grades on the fabric laminates page.

Tufnol laminates are used for electrical insulation, gears, cams, bearings, washers, structural parts and machined components across electrical, aerospace, marine, rail, oil and gas and general engineering. The grade is matched to the job – phenolic paper for switchgear insulation, cotton fabric for hard-wearing mechanical parts, glass epoxy for high strength and temperature. See how the materials are applied on the electrical sector page.