Thiolyte

Thiolyte is a brand named electrical insulating thermoset phenolic laminate material.

Overview
These industrial laminates are generally stronger than thermoplastic materials at elevated temperatures up to 130o C (266oF). Thermoset materials cannot be easily recycled since they cannot be melted and re-moulded after curing like thermoplastics.

A hard, dense engineering plastic manufactured by applying heat and pressure to layers of resin-impregnated paper sheet or cotton fabric. During the heat and pressure process polymerisation occurs and this transforms the layers into a high-pressure thermoset laminate.

It is manufactured in sheet form, 2440 mm x 1220 mm (7.9 x 3.4 feet)in a thickness range from 0.2 mm to 160 mm (0.008 to 3.3 inches). A range of grades are available depending on the specific electrical/mechanical requirements.

Epoxy, silicone, melamine resin and modified polymer–based materials are also laminated from a range of Stage-B "pre-preg" laminate core material, contract production of high-tech composite laminates, honeycomb composite laminates and a range of decorative laminates.

Grading

 * Paper based laminates conforming to NEMA grades X, XX, XXX and XXXPC.
 * Cotton based laminates (canvas and linen) conforming to NEMA grades C/CE and L/LE.

Standards
Thiolyte Phenolic Laminates conform to the following standards:
 * British Standards (BS)
 * German Standards (DIN)
 * South African SABS 1100
 * South African TRANSNET