SITE NAVIGATION Thermoset Rigid Composites Thermoset rigid laminates are composite materials. By definition, composite materials consist of two or more materials. In most thermoset rigid laminates, the primary materials include a substrate or base material such as paper, cotton cloth, or glass cloth along with a resin or adhesive such as epoxy, melamine, or silicone. To make a thermoset laminate, the base material is coated with the adhesive so that layers of material can be pressed into sheet form under heat and pressure. Thermosetting materials are strong materials consisting of a resin and a substrate. They do not melt at high temperatures and cannot be reformed. They are rigid by nature, so they are easily machinable. Due to the use of these materials in electrical equipment, the National Electric Manufacturers Association (NEMA) has established industry standards for the minimum test values by property for each material. Thermoset materials are commonly referenced using the NEMA grade designation. Generally speaking, The Gund Company focuses on two main types of thermoset rigid composite materials, high-pressure laminates and low-pressure laminates. High-Pressure Laminates High-pressure laminates may use several substrates such as kraft paper, mica paper, canvas or linen (cotton) cloth, or glass cloth. Typical resins used in a high-pressure laminate manufacturing process include phenolic, epoxy, melamine, silicone, and polyimide. The process produces outstanding mechanical strength, especially in compression. High-pressure laminates also have excellent dielectric strength and electrical properties. Each combination of substrate and resin provides a different set of properties. The manufacturing process for our high-pressure thermoset laminate sheet material begins with selecting the proper substrate and resin for the particular application. All high-pressure thermoset laminates follow the same basic process as follows: Step 1) Substrate or base materials such as paper or glass cloth arrive at the plant in master rolls with a thickness ranging from .003″ to .010″. Step 2) The base material is passed through a resin bath to impregnate the substrate with a resin such as phenolic, epoxy, melamine, or silicone. Step 3) After the base material has been impregnated, it is passed through a treating oven to drive off the resin’s solvents and precisely allocate the correct amount of resin on the substrate. Step 4) After being treated, the composite is now considered in its “B-Stage.” The B-Stage composite is then cut to size and stacked (called Prebuild) depending on the sheet’s thickness being produced. The material is then loaded in the laminating press. Step 5) The cut to size prebuild is placed in the press under heat and pressure, which results in the finished laminate sheets. Typical press loads can hold anywhere from 8″ – 14″ worth of sheet material and may take up to several hours to fully cure depending on the grade being produced. Step 6) After being removed from the press, the sheets are trimmed and sanded to thickness as required. Step 7) The sheets are inspected for quality with lot samples tested in the laboratory for specification compliance. Sheets are then packaged and shipped to one of our facilities for fabrication into machined components according to customer drawings and specifications. Though a longer process cycle than the low-pressure laminate manufacturing process, the higher mechanical strengths and unique properties produced by the high-pressure laminate manufacturing process allow for specific performance characteristics required by many demanding applications. Check our Material Data Sheets Page to learn more about our high-pressure laminate materials. Low-Pressure Laminates Low-pressure laminates typically use a glass mat substrate. Typical resins used in the low-pressure laminate manufacturing process include polyester, vinyl ester, and epoxy. The process produces an excellent combination of mechanical strength, dielectric properties, and thermal performance. One advantage of the low-pressure laminate manufacturing process is using various fillers and additives to create a range of desirable properties from flame retardance to track resistance. The manufacturing process for our low-pressure thermoset laminate sheet materials begins with selecting the proper resin formulation to provide the properties required for a specific application. Low-pressure laminates are typically made following the same basic steps as follows: Step 1) Continous strand random mat glass is received in roll form with various weights, constructions, sizing, and thicknesses depending on the manufactured product. Step 2) Glass mat is cut to length to create glass packages of various builds depending on the sheet thickness and product formulation for the product being manufactured. Step 3) Resins are received and stored in large tanks. Depending on the material grade, there may be as many as 20 resin system components. Step 4) The various resin components are mixed with filler additives to add properties such as track resistance, flame retardance, and thermal endurance. The resin is then applied to the glass fiber package on an automated press loading table with CNC controlled weight scales. Step 5) The press is automatically loaded and computer-controlled for the proper pressure and heat curing profile for the product being manufactured. The sheets are molded individually in a press cycle that can vary from several minutes to a half-hour or so. Step 6) Sheets are unloaded with automated material handling equipment. Sheets are inspected for quality and manufacturing tolerances, with sample lots sent to the laboratory for verification testing for properties, including flexural strength and dielectric strength. Step 7) Sheets are labeled by lot and packaged for shipment to our fabrication plant for machining into finished parts per our customer requirements. The low-pressure laminate manufacturing process is considered more cost-effective than the high-pressure laminate process due to the faster cycle time from the beginning of the process to the end of the process. With composite materials, there are always trade-offs among the various materials’ properties depending, in part, on the manufacturing process. Check our Material Data Sheets Page to learn more about our low-pressure laminate materials. The Gund Company is a vertically integrated manufacturer and fabricator of engineered material solutions. Since 1951, we have listened to our customers and learned about their industries’ demanding operating environments. We are AS9100D Certified and ITAR Compliant. Our custom fabricated parts are manufactured according to ISO 9001:2015 certified quality systems. We understand the challenges of material selection and the demanding operating environment of your application. Our Application Engineering Team takes a consultative approach to understand your requirements. By relying on our material specialists, our customers gain valuable insight into improving component designs to increase efficiency and functionality while reducing cost. In addition to helping with material selection, we challenge ourselves to optimize production for material yield or fabrication efficiency. As a lean enterprise, we focus on continuous improvement and finding the most cost-effective, efficient solutions for our customers. Please contact us today if we can help answer material property questions or provide an application-specific quote. Thank you for the opportunity to earn your business. Materials Material Data Sheets Comparative Data Sheets Material Families Thermoset Rigid Composites Thermoplastic Materials Flexible Materials Elastomeric Materials Applications Switchgear Electronics Generator Motor Transformer Metals Processing Technical Library Contact Us The Gund Company Locations About Us Careers Material Data Sheets Technical Library Sitemap Privacy Policy Quality ISO 9001:2015 AS9100D ITAR Compliant REACH RoHS Continuous Improvement Contact Us Information Request Application Engineering Material Specialist Request A Quote Translate Connect With Us Copyright © 2021 The Gund Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved