Laminates: properties and applications

In the insulation systems of complex devices and structures, which are subject to increased operational requirements, use special composite materials. As a rule, these are not universal, but highly specialized products, oriented to work in extreme thermal and humid conditions. Such insulators include the following laminated plastics: getinax, textolite, fiberglass, as well as their modifications. Due to the combination of strength and heat-insulating qualities, such composites can be used in structures, devices and devices that are responsible for their design.

Application of laminated plastics

The range of applications for such polymers is very diverse. This includes machine tools, aviation equipment, and manufacturing industries, as well as construction and the chemical industry. Wherever the use of electrical insulation is required, materials of this kind are used. In this case, one can not speak of their universality. There is a wide range of modifications in which laminates are represented. The use of each version of the composition is guided by a specific area. For example, getinax is suitable for the manufacture of inexpensive components in electrical appliances, and wood-laminates due to the rigid structure are used in technical mechanisms. The field of application of textolite is quite extensive, covering both the electrical industry, petrochemical complexes, and small instrument making.

What are laminated plastics produced from?

Layered plastic is a composite material, based on a polymeric binder. To strengthen the functional base, a layered reinforcement filling is also used. In other words, laminated plastics are a combination of two main components represented by a binder and filler. As the first ingredient, resins of synthetic origin are used. These can be polyester, epoxy, phenol-formaldehyde and other substances. Also, the use of polymers is widespread, among which are organosilicon and fluoroplastic materials. With regard to filling, this task can be performed by traditional raw materials in the form of asbestos and cellulose paper fibers.

Characteristics of laminated plastics

In the classical design, the laminate is a sheet material that is laid down in the manner of conventional facing panels. Less common are tissue varieties. The thickness of the sheets can be from 0.4 to 50 mm, depending on the variety and composition of the insulator. Also the sizes on length and width are various. The standard panel of fiberglass, for example, has an average of 1200x1000 mm. The working qualities that laminated plastics possess are expressed by the ability to withstand different temperature regimes. Again, the average corridor for a typical plastic of this kind varies from -60 ° C to 120 ° C. If additional modifiers are included, this range can be extended.

Properties of fiberglass

The performance of this plastic is determined by its composition, which includes several layers of fiberglass, glued on the technology of hot pressing. The binder in this case is a thermoset epoxy-phenolic component. The basic properties that are provided with laminated plastics of this type include high heat resistance, protection from negative effects of moisture and mechanical strength. In addition, unlike many composites, glass-textolite is an environmentally friendly material that extends the field of its application. Also, its attractiveness in the market is promoted by increased dielectric qualities and durability.

Properties Getinax

Another common variation of the laminate, which is used as an electrical insulating material. The working properties of this composite are determined by a paper substrate treated with a mixture of phenolic or epoxy resins.

This plastic can not boast of a combination of such qualities as mechanical resistance and the ability to cope with extreme temperatures. Nevertheless, the substrate, which is flexible in terms of processing, makes it possible to form printed circuit boards of any size. In addition, they are the cheapest laminated plastics, which made them widely used in instrument making. Of this material, in particular, stamped components are produced for technical support of low-voltage household appliances.

Properties of textolite

The material is formed from cotton fabrics by hot pressing with the addition of thermosetting binders phenol-formaldehyde group. It is the use of the fabric base that provides the textolite with high compressive strength, as well as toughness. The base can be easily machined by drilling, cutting and stamping. This quality of the material has determined its use in the production of technological elements that are under the influence of electrical and mechanical loads.

In this case, there are several categories on which commodity laminated plastics are divided. Properties of the first category are expressed in the form of increased electrical insulation, which allows the material to be used both in the air environment and in transformer oil. The second category is characterized by increased mechanical properties, so the plastic parts of this group are more often made of parts, which are subject to physical stress. There are also special modifications of textolite, designed for use in elevated temperatures.

Properties of wood-laminated plastics

The main structural difference between insulating materials of this type is the use of wood as a filler . In particular, the composite is supplemented with sheets of peeled veneer with a thickness of the order of 0.3-0.6 mm. With polymers, the natural material is bonded by resole synthetic resins. As a result, the combined material acquires improved antifriction properties, resistance to aggressive media and even abrasives that other laminated plastics can not withstand.

The properties, application and operational requirements in this case are determined by the combination of a whole set of characteristics. The working qualities of the material are expressed not only by physical security, but also by moisture resistance, dielectric properties, and by maintaining the stability at ultra-low temperature at -250 ° C. With regard to use, wood-layered materials are successfully integrated into the mechanisms of friction units, sliding bearings, hydraulic gates and other technical systems.

Conclusion

Modern composites were originally developed to produce high-strength materials that could replace some metal alloys. As a result, the construction sector was able to find an alternative to the traditional reinforcement in the form of fiberglass rods. In turn, laminated plastics have become a good substitute for traditional insulators. They are not used where it is customary to lay mineral wool or cork panels, but specialized niches, in which the characteristics of conventional means of this type are not enough, actively master new layered polymers. However, the future occurrence of such insulators in the segment of domestic use is not excluded. In any case, the ecological harmlessness of fiberglass can contribute to this.