"Ecnerwal" wrote in message
...
I find that what I "know" is limited by what I've used, sometimes - all
the phenolic (technically, phenolic laminates) I worked with that were
generically referred to as phenolic when someone wanted that were the
dark-brown with brilliant yellow dust.

So my recommendations come down to "the phenolic referred to as bakelite"

The phenolic (probably paper-based) referred to as "phenolic" in the
labs I used to work for.

And "the phenolic trademared as Micarta, of which there are many more
varieties and colors than I ever knew".

Evidently, I recommend a phenolic ;-)

You got it right. The original Bakelite is phenolic resin
(phenol-formaldehyde, IIRC) and wood flour, as I mentioned. But the
laminates, generically known as "phenolic sheet," are similar except they
have stronger reinforcement. They're layers of paper or cloth bonded with
phenolic resin. Micarta is a brand name, I think, for a high-quality line of
these laminates.

Thinking about the uses for the sheets, I suspect you're right that those
wheels on the Andrew were more likely Micarta or similar, rather than
Bakelite. The laminates are much stronger and more wear-resistant than plain
Bakelite. They've been used for timing gears on V8 car engines, because they
wear pretty well and they run quiet.


Thanks Ed.

I need to do something useful with this pile of trivia before my brain
collapses. g My pleasure.

--
Ed Huntress