Laminates and Laminated Materials

Laminates and laminated materials are made by bonding together two or more layers of material into a finished product. Laminates and laminated materials vary from flexible foil film laminates to rigid circuit board materials. Industrial laminates are thermoset resin materials with good mechanical and electrical insulating properties. Typically, an industrial laminate uses paper, cotton fabric, or glass fabric as the laminating material. To form solid shapes, laminates and laminated materials must pass through heat and pressure. 

There are three basic types of laminates and laminated materials: plastic laminates, metal laminates, and foil laminates. A plastic laminate is uniformly dense, structurally strong, durable, lightweight, and moisture-resistant. Plastic laminate does not soften much under the reapplication of heat. A metal laminate is suitable for packing and protecting large metal items. A thin-film layer of metal laminate can help to prevent corrosion caused by condensation. Foil laminate is usually made of aluminum. It provides a flexible and effective barrier to moisture and odors. Specialized and proprietary laminates and laminated materials are also available. 

Laminates and laminated materials vary in terms of materials, specifications, and features. Plastic laminates can be made from either thermoset plastics or thermoplastics. Thermoset plastics are similar to cement in that they set via curing. Thermoplastics are similar to wax in that they can be remelted and reshaped with the reapplication of heat. Industrial laminates also include metals such as aluminum, molybdenum, or stainless steel. For example, copper-clad polyimide is copper foil that has been laminated to a thermoplastic polyimide. Some foil laminates are suitable for long-term storage at low temperatures (-200 °C). Others peel easily and can be removed by hand. Laminated films such as pouch lamination films and roll lamination films are used as circuit board material. Roll lamination films are an example of a layered composite. Other types of laminates and laminated materials are also available. 

Laminates and laminated materials are used in many different applications. Some laminates and laminated materials are used in electronics, electrical, or automotive applications. Others are suitable for transformers, power equipment, or printed circuit boards (PCB). RF and microwave laminates are also available. 

• Novel Designs for Laminated Glass Production (.pdf)
  The demand for laminated glass is a continually growing market. Uses for laminated glass include standard safety, hurricane resistant, automotive, structural and ballistic glass. Laminates may be flat...
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