page_title: Micarta
section_title: Applications
hierarchical_section_title: Micarta / Applications
caption_attribution_description: English: Photo taken by Jerry Myers, P.E., 03/02/2005. Subject is compressed natural gas (CNG) storage cylinder (5500 psig MAWP) in the process of being installed in saddles with micarta sheets for electrical insulation. Note red tape holding micarta temporarily in place and unused sheets at right.
context_page_description: Micarta is a brand name for composites of linen, canvas, paper, fiberglass, carbon fiber or other fabric in a thermosetting plastic. It was originally used in electrical and decorative applications. Micarta was developed by George Westinghouse at least as early as 1910 using phenolic resins invented by Leo Baekeland. 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 and other resin types were also used. Today Micarta high-pressure industrial laminates are produced with a wide variety of resins and fibers. The term has been used generically for most resin impregnated fiber compounds. Common uses of modern high-pressure laminates are as electrical insulators, printed circuit board substrates, and knife handles.
  The Micarta trademark is a registered trademark of Industrial Laminates / Norplex, Inc. But as for many trademarks, it's often used generically, also for similar products from other producers or homemade.
context_section_description: 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 (such as propeller blades); automotive parts; office equipment; tabletops and countertops; electronics; electrical insulation between pressure vessels or piping and their supports; handles such as those of BBQ and kitchen tools as well as handgun grips; guitar fingerboards, nuts and bridges; pool cues; and safety gear such as hard hats.  Between 1935 and 1945, Westinghouse's Power-Aire desk fans used blades made of Micarta.
  Micarta 259-2 was used as the ablation heat shield material in early ICBM warheads.
caption: Compressed natural gas storage cylinder in the process of being installed in saddle supports using micarta insulation as an electrical insulator.
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