What is Linen Electrical Phenolic material?
Linen electrical phenolic material is a type of composite material that is widely used in a diverse set of industries that produce electrical products. Linen electrical, also known as LE or MIL-I-24768/13 is composed of layers of fine woven linen cloth impregnated with a phenolic resin, which is cured under high temperature and pressure.
Properties of LE
LE has excellent electrical insulation properties due to its high dielectric strength and low dielectric loss, allowing it to actively prevent the flow of electrical current, even at high voltages.
Like many of our other phenolics, LE has a high compressive, tensile, and flexural strength due to the proprietary methods utilized by Current to ensure our material is durable and rigid.
For machinist, LE can be a good choice for fabricating parts for custom applications. LE is one of the easier materials to fabricate into custom applications due to the use of a linen cloth as opposed to another substrate.
Uses of LE
Because of these properties, MIL-I-24768/13 is a versatile composite that can be used in several different applications:
Gears, Bearings, Bushings, and other Industrial Parts
- Parts where the strength and resistance to wear and tear is important.
PCBs and Insulators
- Connect and control electronic components to prevent dielectric loss.
Tool Handles
- Handles for industrial tools that see repeated impacts and shocks.
How LE is made
LE is typically made of a fine weave linen fabric as a substrate made of high-quality flax fibers, that we’ve ensured is clean and free of contaminants. Combined with a phenolic resin with a hardening agent and heated, the process of applying pressure and heat to the fabric impregnates the material with the resin. Finally, the fabric is cured and cut to size producing a smooth and uniform finish. This results in durable, electrical insulation perfect for your industry.
Machining LE
Many of our phenolics are very easy to machine, however due the abrasive nature of the material: you must ensure you use the proper tools and techniques so that you can manufacture the best results for your company.
- Keep your tools sharp so that the material is cut cleanly and efficiently.
- Low cutting speeds will prevent damage and minimize the chance for localized heat buildup that may produce melting or chipping.
- Consider using a water-soluble coolant to flush away debris and prevent heat buildup.
- Ensure that your material is properly held and placed tightly into your fixturing so that the material remains stable and secure.
- And always use personal protection equipment when working with materials that can produce dust and debris. Protective eyeglasses, hearing protection, gloves, and even respirators should be considered when using any industrial equipment.