Novotext

Novotext is a trade name for cotton textile-phenolic resin, essentially cotton-reinforced Bakelite. It was often used in car engines for gear wheels used to provide a direct drive to the camshaft as it is flexible and quiet-running.^[1] The material is known under various other names such as Turbax, Resitex and Celoron ^[2]. In bar form it is also known as Cartatextiel and Ferrozell and in sheet form as Harex, Tufnol and Micarta.

Tufnol

Tufnol℗ is a composite material comprising phenolic resin and another material (paper, cotton fabric etc). The two materials together complement each others qualities. It is inherently water resistant and some grades are used as a lining in loaded bearings (e.g. stave bearings) where lubricating oil use is not feasible. Rather it can be lubricated with water. It has very low friction characteristics; thus it finds its use in dusty, chemically sensitive environments. The ability to work without oil makes it a preferable choice for design engineers. Unfortunately, the preparation is not as environment friendly.

Production

Production is achieved through the use of chopped strand mat (CSM) technique.

References

1. ^ The Aeronautical Journal by Royal Aeronautical Society - Aeronautics - 1927
2. ^ US patent 1812552

Further reading

• F. Armbruster (1935). ""Novotext" Bearings". Science Abstracts (Institution of Electrical Engineers, INSPEC (Information service), Engineering Information, Inc): 1107. 
• William Gardner (1924). "Condensite Celoron". Chemical Synonyms and Trade Names: A Dictionary and Commercial Handbook. London: C. Lockwood and Son. p. 14.