- Joined
- Mar 23, 2006
- Messages
- 546
This is what I ahve found out about Micarta.
Happy reading!
MICARTA 101
Micarta is a trade name that was given to thermoset laminates back in the 1890’s by Westinghouse. Phenolic is another name used to describe this hard, dense material. Phenolic sheets are made by applying heat and pressure to layers of Paper, Cotton (linen or canvas), and Glass fabrics impregnated with synthetic resin. When heat and pressure are applied to the layers a chemical reaction (polymerization) transforms the layers into a solid industrial laminated plastic. This industrial laminate, or composite since it is comprised out of a combination of materials, is extremely durable, lightweight, and moisture resistant. It will not soften under the reapplication of heat.
Paper, Linen, and Canvas laminates are what we use here at VZ Grips. The glass laminates that are better known as G10 are too hazardous to work with for what we're doing. I have plenty of unwanted particles that I need to worry and protect myself from other than to concern myself about glass fiber embedding in my lungs. I also think that G10 is just too hard for our application. I believe the feel of cotton or paper micarta is by far more comfortable and forgiving than G10. I've also noticed and heard by many, that grip screws tend to loosen very easily with G10 (without the use of loc-tite) whereas the cotton micarta acts like a lock washer since there is some give.
Keep in mind that ALL of the micarta (paper, linen, and canvas) are extremely strong, an overkill in strength for the application at hand. I have been asked numerous times which is the strongest of the three. The answer is Canvas, followed by Linen, then paper. I doubt that you’ll ever see the day you test their strength to the limits.
Below, I have explained how each of the three types of micarta differs from one another and how they may feel once our textures are milled into them.
Paper
* Very Dense
* Smooth to the touch
* It Machines more precise
* Textures are sharper
* Deep, Bold Colors
* 20g per panel / 40g a set
Linen
* Gritty to the touch
* Tight thin cotton weave
* Subdued Colors
* Stronger Than Paper
* 18g per panel / 36g a set
Canvas
* Coarse to the touch
* Thick broad cotton weave
* Drab Colors
* Strongest of the three
* 18g per panel / 36g a set
Happy reading!MICARTA 101
Micarta is a trade name that was given to thermoset laminates back in the 1890’s by Westinghouse. Phenolic is another name used to describe this hard, dense material. Phenolic sheets are made by applying heat and pressure to layers of Paper, Cotton (linen or canvas), and Glass fabrics impregnated with synthetic resin. When heat and pressure are applied to the layers a chemical reaction (polymerization) transforms the layers into a solid industrial laminated plastic. This industrial laminate, or composite since it is comprised out of a combination of materials, is extremely durable, lightweight, and moisture resistant. It will not soften under the reapplication of heat.
Paper, Linen, and Canvas laminates are what we use here at VZ Grips. The glass laminates that are better known as G10 are too hazardous to work with for what we're doing. I have plenty of unwanted particles that I need to worry and protect myself from other than to concern myself about glass fiber embedding in my lungs. I also think that G10 is just too hard for our application. I believe the feel of cotton or paper micarta is by far more comfortable and forgiving than G10. I've also noticed and heard by many, that grip screws tend to loosen very easily with G10 (without the use of loc-tite) whereas the cotton micarta acts like a lock washer since there is some give.
Keep in mind that ALL of the micarta (paper, linen, and canvas) are extremely strong, an overkill in strength for the application at hand. I have been asked numerous times which is the strongest of the three. The answer is Canvas, followed by Linen, then paper. I doubt that you’ll ever see the day you test their strength to the limits.
Below, I have explained how each of the three types of micarta differs from one another and how they may feel once our textures are milled into them.
Paper
* Very Dense
* Smooth to the touch
* It Machines more precise
* Textures are sharper
* Deep, Bold Colors
* 20g per panel / 40g a set
Linen
* Gritty to the touch
* Tight thin cotton weave
* Subdued Colors
* Stronger Than Paper
* 18g per panel / 36g a set
Canvas
* Coarse to the touch
* Thick broad cotton weave
* Drab Colors
* Strongest of the three
* 18g per panel / 36g a set
