FAQ ON Nomex PAPER

What is Nomex^® Type 410 Paper?

Nomex^® Type 410 stands out among all Nomex^® products due to its nearly perfect balance of properties. Its high thermal and electrical insulation capacity does not come at the expense of mechanical strength.

Nomex^® 410 is available in a variety of thicknesses, allowing it to be used in different machinery and equipment.

Nomex^® 410 also complies with various global standards and certifications, boosting its adoption.

For these reasons, Nomex^® 410 is one of the most popular Nomex^® products.

Is Nomex^® Type 410 a Calendered Paper?

Yes, Nomex^® 410 is calendered to enhance its various characteristics. Calendering involves passing a material through heavy rollers under specific pressure and temperature. In the case of Nomex^® 410, calendering is done for the following purposes:

To improve its smoothness: Reducing surface roughness in Nomex^® 410 paper improves its contact and adhesion when placed between components as an insulation layer.

To increase strength: Pressing Nomex^® 410 paper through heavy rollers compresses the fibers, making the material denser. This process enhances its resistance to wear and tear, thereby improving its durability.

To achieve uniform thickness: The electrical insulation capacity of Nomex^® paper is proportional to its thickness. Therefore, having a uniformly thick paper, which is achieved by pressing it through rollers, ensures consistent insulation across the material. This consistency is vital when Nomex^® 410 is used in high-precision machines.

What is Nomex^® Type 411 Paper?

Nomex^® 411 is an uncalendered paper which is used for phase insulation in electrical motors and as a filler in transformer coil terminations.

Nomex^® 411, due to its higher impregnability and saturability, is widely used in cast resin applications in the electrical, electronics, and mechanical industries.

What are the differences between Nomex^® Type 410 and Nomex^® Type 411 papers?

Whilst both, Nomex^® 410 and Nomex^® 411, are from the Nomex^® paper family, both have distinct properties and hence separate applications. Some of the differences are:

Density:

The thickness of Nomex^® 410 starts from 2 mils (0.05 mm) whereas the thickness of Nomex^® 411 starts from 3 mils (0.08 mm). This increased thickness makes Nomex^® 411 a less dense material and hence lighter and more flexible than Nomex 410.

Mechanical Strength:

Due to its higher density, Nomex^® 410 is mechanically stronger and more durable than Nomex^® 411. Whilst this makes Nomex^® 410 a better option where longevity is preferred, Nomex^® 411 is the preferred choice if lightness and flexibility are important.

Thermal Properties:

Due to its higher density, Nomex^® 410 has higher thermal stability than Nomex^® 411, thus making it ideal for high-temperature environments.

What are the advantages of honeycomb structures made from Nomex^® paper?

A honeycomb structure is inspired by the hexagonal design of natural honeycombs made by bees. This honeycomb structure has been found to have various advantages in engineering, including in Nomex^® applications. Some of these advantages are:

Minimal material use:

The honeycomb structure maximizes area coverage while using the least amount of Nomex^® material.

Strength-to-weight ratio:

Despite the minimal use of Nomex^® material, the structure maintains low weight without compromising strength.

Stiffness:

The geometric design provides high stiffness by evenly distributing loads across the hexagonal cells, similar to how a truss structure distributes loads across its beams.

Impact absorption:

Whilst honeycomb designs have high load bearing capacity, in the event of an impact, the hexagonal structure will absorb most of the energy. Much like the crumple-zone of a car.

Thermal insulation:

The air trapped within the hexagonal cells provides high thermal insulation.

One of the ideal applications of Nomex^® paper using honeycomb designs is in aviation where these characteristics are a huge advantage.

Nomex^® is a registered trademark of DuPont^™