Laminates are made under various trade names such as ‘Paxolin’ or ‘Tufnol'. Sheets of fibrous material are bonded into a solid mass by the thermosetting resin. The surface is usually polished and can have very good resistance to surface tracking by electrical arc discharges.
The mechanical and electrical properties vary with the type of resin and filler used, but in broad terms these laminates combine good electrical insulation properties with mechanical strength. They are also extensively used, under various trade names, in the building industry, and as 'surface materials' for benches and table tops. They are usually relatively brittle, especially in unsupported thin sections.