Micarta is a composite of
linenLinen is a textile made from the fibers of the flax plant, Linum usitatissimum. Linen is labor-intensive to manufacture, but when it is made into garments, it is valued for its exceptional coolness and freshness in hot weather....
or paper fabric in a
thermosetting plasticThermosetting plastics are polymer materials that irreversibly cure. The cure may be done through heat , through a chemical reaction , or irradiation such as electron beam processing.Thermoset materials are usually liquid or malleable prior to curing and designed to be molded into their final...
, originally used in electrical and decorative applications. Micarta was developed by
George WestinghouseGeorge Westinghouse, Jr was an American entrepreneur and engineer who invented the railway air brake and was a pioneer of the electrical industry. Westinghouse was one of Thomas Edison's main rivals in the early implementation of the American electricity system...
at least as early as 1910 using
phenolic resinPhenolic resin can include any of various synthetic thermosetting resins such as Bakelite, obtained by the reaction of phenols with simple aldehydes such as formaldehyde. Phenolics can be used to make molded products including pool balls, laboratory countertops, and as coatings and...
s invented by Dr.
Leo BaekelandLeo Hendrik Baekeland was a Belgian chemist who invented Velox photographic paper and Bakelite , an inexpensive, nonflammable, versatile, and popular plastic.-Career:...
. These resins were used to impregnate paper and cotton fabric which were cured under pressure and high temperature to produce laminates. In later years this manufacturing method included the use of fiberglass fabric, other resin types were also used.
Micarta is a composite of
linenLinen is a textile made from the fibers of the flax plant, Linum usitatissimum. Linen is labor-intensive to manufacture, but when it is made into garments, it is valued for its exceptional coolness and freshness in hot weather....
or paper fabric in a
thermosetting plasticThermosetting plastics are polymer materials that irreversibly cure. The cure may be done through heat , through a chemical reaction , or irradiation such as electron beam processing.Thermoset materials are usually liquid or malleable prior to curing and designed to be molded into their final...
, originally used in electrical and decorative applications. Micarta was developed by
George WestinghouseGeorge Westinghouse, Jr was an American entrepreneur and engineer who invented the railway air brake and was a pioneer of the electrical industry. Westinghouse was one of Thomas Edison's main rivals in the early implementation of the American electricity system...
at least as early as 1910 using
phenolic resinPhenolic resin can include any of various synthetic thermosetting resins such as Bakelite, obtained by the reaction of phenols with simple aldehydes such as formaldehyde. Phenolics can be used to make molded products including pool balls, laboratory countertops, and as coatings and...
s invented by Dr.
Leo BaekelandLeo Hendrik Baekeland was a Belgian chemist who invented Velox photographic paper and Bakelite , an inexpensive, nonflammable, versatile, and popular plastic.-Career:...
. These resins were used to impregnate paper and cotton fabric which were cured under pressure and high temperature to produce laminates. In later years this manufacturing method included the use of fiberglass fabric, other resin types were also used. Today micartas are produced with a wide variety of resins and fibers and the term has evolved to generically refer to most resin impregnated fibre compounds. Common uses of modern micartas are as electrical insulators, printed circuit board substrates, and knife handles.
Manufacturing process
Micarta industrial laminates are normally phenolic, epoxy, silicone, or
melamine resinMelamine resin or melamine formaldehyde is a hard, thermosetting plastic material made from melamine and formaldehyde by polymerization.-In the kitchen:...
based thermoset materials reinforced with fiberglass, cotton cloth, paper, or carbon fiber. Micarta industrial laminate sheet is a hard, dense material made by applying heat and pressure to layers of prepreg. These layers of laminations are usually of cellulose paper, cotton fabrics, synthetic yarn fabrics, glass fabrics or unwoven fabrics. When heat and pressure are applied to the layers, a chemical reaction (polymerization) transforms the layers into a high-pressure thermosetting industrial laminated plastic.
Applications
The largest use for Micarta industrial laminates is a high strength electrical insulation in power generating and distribution equipment. Laminates are also used in heavy equipment, aerospace, automotive, office equipment, tabletops, countertops, electronic, electrical insulation between pressure vessels or piping and their supports, decorative applications, including knife handles and gun handles, guitar nuts and bridges, pool cues and safety gear such as hard hats. Between 1935-1945, Westinghouse's Power-Aire desk fans used blades made of Micarta.
Micarta is a trademark of Norplex-Micarta Industrial Composites.
External links