Tufnol Sheets

Genuine Tufnol laminated sheet in three grades. Whale is the tough cotton fabric grade for gears, bushes and wear parts, while Kite and 1P/13 are paper phenolic grades for electrical insulation, spacers and base plates. Cut pieces from 150 x 150mm up to full sheets, with UK delivery. Stock is limited.

Choosing the Right Tufnol Sheet Grade

What is Tufnol?

Tufnol is a synthetic resin bonded laminate, made from layers of cotton cloth or paper soaked in phenolic resin and pressed together under heat. The result is a hard, strong sheet that machines well, and the material was invented here in the UK. As a Tufnol stockist, we hold three grades in natural brown.

Mechanical parts: choose Whale

Whale Brand is Tufnol’s most popular grade for mechanical work. Its cotton fabric base gives it far more impact strength than the paper grades (11.5 kJ/m² notched Charpy against 2.7 for Kite), so engineers and model engineers turn it into gears, sprockets, pulley sheaves and bearing bushes. Use it for low voltage insulation only.

Electrical insulation: choose Kite or 1P/13

Kite Brand is the specialist electrical grade, rated for low, medium and high voltage work, with an edgewise electric strength of 55 kV in oil at 90°C. Grade 1P/13 is the economical choice where electrical demands are moderate, and as the strongest and toughest of Tufnol’s paper grades it also suits spacers, base plates and simple jigs.

Grades at a glance

  • Whale: cotton fabric phenolic (SRBF), 1mm to 50mm, 120°C continuous
  • Kite: paper phenolic (SRBP), 4mm to 20mm, 90°C continuous
  • 1P/13: paper phenolic (SRBP), 3mm to 10mm, 90°C continuous

Sizes, tolerances and finish

Cut pieces are nominal sizes and may measure up to 3mm under, as they are cut with a 3mm saw blade. Thickness follows Tufnol’s standard as-moulded tolerance, listed on each product page. Sheets are supplied without protective film, so expect cosmetic surface marks, and the shade of brown varies from sheet to sheet.

Trade and full sheet enquiries

We also hold full Whale sheets in 6mm, 8mm and 12mm up to 2440 x 1220mm for collection or pallet delivery. For full sheets, quantity pricing or parts machined to your drawing, call 01427 611668 or email sales@trentplastics.co.uk.