Micarta

Micarta is a brand name for composites of various fibers integrated in a thermosetting plastic. Materials such as linen, canvas, paper, fiberglass, carbon fiber, or other fabrics are used to form products for 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. Common uses of modern high-pressure laminates include electrical insulators, printed circuit board substrates, and knife handles.

The term Micarta is a registered trademark of Industrial Laminates / Norplex, Inc. (dba Norplex-Micarta), but as with many trademarks, it is often used generically for similar resin impregnated fiber compounds from other manufacturers.

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