Wear Resistant Textolite Gear Material

This advanced Textolite gear laminate is crafted by saturating high-strength, fine-weave cotton fabric with a proprietary phenolic resin and consolidating the stack under precisely controlled heat and pressures above 100 bar to form a fully dense, semi-crystalline composite. Continuous fiber reinforcement in a cross-linked polymer network yields outstanding toughness and wear resistance—even under millions of cyclic loadings—while typical hardness measures 80 – 85 Rockwell M and compressive strength exceeds 200 MPa. Its low coefficient of friction (μ ≈ 0.15 against steel) dramatically reduces boundary-lubrication needs, enabling reliable dry-running operation, and its intrinsic dielectric strength (breakdown voltages > 18 kV/mm) removes the requirement for secondary insulators, making it ideal for precision power-transmission and positioning mechanisms.

Beyond its mechanical and electrical advantages, Textolite delivers exceptional environmental resilience and machinability. Its hydrophobic phenolic matrix limits moisture uptake to under 0.2 % by weight and maintains dimensional stability from – 50 °C to 130 °C, even when exposed to hydraulic fluids, oils, and common solvents. Surface finishes down to Ra 0.2 µm are achievable, allowing precision cutting of complex involute, helical, hypoid, and spline profiles for compact industrial drives, aerospace actuators, or rugged off-road transmissions. The result is a lightweight, corrosion-resistant gear solution that runs quietly, requires minimal maintenance, and outperforms coated-steel or polymer-based alternatives.