Micarta

Micarta is a Westinghouse brand of composite linen, canvas, Fiberglas, or other fabric integrated into thermosetting plastic—similar to Formica or other laminate materials. As electrical products and services expanded in the first part of the twentieth century, that industry increasingly relied on hard rubber for molded insulators and components. Leo Baekeland developed a phenol and formaldehyde resin resistant to heat, water, chemicals, and electricity—Bakelite. [1] Westinghouse engineer Dr. C. E. Skinner used Bakelite resin to update the firm’s Micarta insulation board, made from kraft paper impregnated with shellac or resin, dried, then cut into sheets. This process was developed by Skinner’s... more.