thermoplastic plastics industry laminate sheet THERMOPLASTIC Because thermosetting laminates are excellent insulating materials and do not melt with heat, they are more functional than the thermoplastic in primary or secondary electrical insulation and as thermal barriers. In applications that require dimensional stability, low creep and high flexural strength and modulus, laminates are the materials of choice. With resistance to wear, low noise in rotary operation against steel gears or cams, high heat resistance and low coefficient of friction, laminates are an excellent choice to replace metals in wear applications, including rotor and pump vanes, thrust washers, wear strips and surfaces, bearings, bushings, cams and gears.