Flexible Material Solutions
FLEXIBLE THERMOSET FILMS & MATERIALS
FLEXIBLE MATERIALS CAN BE CHARACTERIZED BY THE ABILITY TO BEND OR COMPRESS EASILY WITHOUT CRACKING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS.
The Gund Company manufactures, converts, and distributes papers, films, and flexible elastomeric materials.
Paper-Based Flexible Materials
CELLULOSIC PAPER (WOOD PAPER)-BASED FLEXIBLES ARE LOW-TEMPERATURE INSULATION MATERIALS THAT CAN HAVE A RESIN BINDER OR CAN BE BOUND BY INTERWOVEN WOOD FIBERS.
The most common is Kraft paper, and The Gund Company offers various material options.
HIGH-TEMPERATURE SYNTHETIC PAPER
Aramid fiber paper is characterized by exceptional temperature and tear resistance. This includes, but is not limited to, aramid papers, such as Nomex®, and 3M® inorganic paper products.
These papers can be formed into basic shapes to help line slots or make fitted bends on corners. Papers made from inorganic fiber are less expensive than aramid fiber papers and have better thermal conductivity. Typically, they are more brittle and can only be formed reliably when used as a laminate with a thermoplastic film.
Aramid fiber paper, renowned for its outstanding temperature and tear resistance, encompasses various aramid papers like Nomex® and 3M® inorganic paper products. These versatile papers can be molded into simple configurations, facilitating slot lining or precise corner bends. Inorganic fiber papers, while more cost-effective than aramid counterparts, exhibit superior thermal conductivity.
Types of Flexible Products:
- Natural & Synthetic Fiber Papers
- Extruded Films
- Laminated Papers & Films
- Natural & Synthetic Fiber Felts
Typical Product Names:
- Vegetable, Cellulose, & Cotton Fiber Papers
- Aramid Paper (Nomex)
- Polyester Film (Melinex, Mylar)
- Polyimide Film (Kapton)
- Rag Paper/Polyester Film Laminates (RM)
- Nomex/Polyester/Nomex Laminate (NMN)
- Wool, Polyester (Dacron), Aramid Felts
| Paper Materials | ||
|---|---|---|
 Flexible Insulation | Brand Name | Generic Name |
| G -Flex™ YT510 | Meta Aramid | |
| G-Flex™ YT511 | Meta Aramid | |
| G -Flex™ YT514 | Meta Aramid | |
| Mica M | Mica | |
| Mica P | Mica | |
| Copaco® | Cotton Rag Paper | |
| 3M LFT® | Inorganic Blend | |
| 3M FRB® | Inorganic Blend | |
| 3M Thermavolt® | Inorganic Blend | |
| 3M Tufquin® | Inorganic Blend | |
| 3M Cequin® | Inorganic Blend | |
| Nomex 410® | Meta Aramid | |
| Nomex 414® | Meta Aramid | |
| Cogemica® | Mica | |
| Voltoid® / Duroid® | Organic & Inorganic Blend | |
| G -Flex™ Kraft Paper | Kraft Paper | |
| _ | Diamond Coated Kraft Paper | |
Films and Thin-Gauge Sheets
FILMS AND THIN-GAUGE SHEETS ARE GENERALLY VERY HIGH IN DIELECTRIC STRENGTH, AND THERMOPLASTICS USUALLY PROVIDE A HIGH DEGREE OF FORMABILITY.
Flexible thermoset films can also be produced either with or without reinforcement to improve dimensional stability at elevated temperatures.
| Films and Thin Sheet Materials | ||
|---|---|---|
| Flexible Insulation | Brand Name | Generic Name |
| PolyPro FR® | Polypropylene | |
| Formex® | Polypropylene | |
| Statex® | Static Dissipative Polypropylene | |
| Mylar® | PET | |
| Melinex® | PET | |
| Lexan FR700® | Polycarbonate | |
| Palram Palsun® | Polycarbonate | |
| Tuffak® | Polycarbonate | |
| RotoGuard EG® | Glass Epoxy | |
| Kapton® | Polyimide | |
Flexible Laminates
AS WITH RIGID LAMINATE MATERIALS, FLEXIBLE LAMINATE MATERIALS ARE COMPRISED OF TWO OR MORE MATERIALS THAT MAKE UP A COMPOSITE.
Flexible laminates may include a combination of substrate materials and some type of thermosetting resin or adhesive to bond the layers of substrate together. When combining multiple materials, unique properties can be achieved, which could not be achieved using the materials separately.
For example, paper can be combined with thermoplastic film to provide temperature resistance with good formability and high dielectric strength.
Flexible laminates are most commonly used in applications where a thin layer of insulation is required. These applications typically require the material to be bent, formed, or punched into a shape that fits into a confined space. Typically, applications include:
- Layer insulation in transformer coil
- Slot insulation in motor
- Turn-to-turn insulation in power generators
- Phase-to-phase insulation in low-voltage circuit breakers
Flexible Laminates and Films | ||
|---|---|---|
G-Flex™ AMA, APA, YMY | Aramid Paper + PET Film | NMN |
Polyester Fleece + PET Film | ||
Aramid Paper + PET Film | ||
Cotton Fleece + PET Film | ||
Tufquin® + PET Film | Inorganic Paper + PET Film | TFT |
Nomex® Kapton® | Aramid Paper + Polyimide Film | NKN |
Glass Epoxy | — | |
Glass Epoxy + B-Stage Glass Adhesive | — | |
— | B-Stage Glass Epoxy | — |
