HIGH DENSITY PRE-COMPRESSED

LAMINATES

Production HDLP/HDLC
Laminated board
When thicknesses of more than 8 mm are required, blocks
are laminated together from several sheets of pre-compressed
Figeholm Elboard. Laminated blocks supplant natural wood
and cross-laminated wood where enhanced dimensional
stability, resistance against compression and superior electrical
insulation properties are required. Figeholm Elboard offer
laminated blocks of two different qualities: HDLP and HDLC.

HDLP is laminated with polyester resin (dry process) and

has the higher mechanical strength of the two materials.
HDLP is preferable when higher flexural strength and better
mechanical properties are needed. Water diffusion and oil
impregnation across the lamination is virtually impossible
in this quality. Processing of large blocks of HDLP may
therefore be facilitated by drilling diffusion holes through the
material.

HDLC is laminated with casein glue (water based) and, of the

two qualities its mechanical strength is somewhat lower. The
original moisture content of the material as delivered is higher
than for HDLP, but diffusion of moisture and oil impregnation
across the lamination is possible. HDLC is preferred for certain
applications with relatively high dielectric stress. Laminated
blocks can be produced and processed up to a maximum size
of 3100 4100 mm with a maximum thickness of 200 mm.

4 2 mm

100 mm

100 mm
8 mm

+1
-0

mm

Figeholms Bruk was founded

in 1931 and began producing
transformer-board in 1932. It was
a family owned company until its
acquisition in 1973 by ASEA Sweden.
Today, it is a part of ABB Sweden. The
company is situated in Figeholm, a
village on the Baltic coast of southern
Sweden, a little over 300 km south of
Stockholm and about 15 km north of
the town of Oskarshamn.
Production is specialized in press
board for use in power transformer
insulation. The materials find
application in other products as well,
e.g. measuring transformers and power
capacitors etc.
Pre-compressed Figeholm Elboard
is a solid electrical-quality fibrous
laminate made of cellulose pulp.
Production of pre-compressed
Elboard is a continuous process
having a long history and demanding
a high knowledge level. Solid precompressed Elboard is produced in
maximum sizes of 3200 4200 mm
and in thicknesses of 1-8 mm.

Comparison HDLP / WOOD

According to research and a simulation model built using
Pro/MECHANICA, almost 70% of the total mechanical
stress in a transformer press ring occurs within 45o with

respect to the main fibre direction. This makes it obvious that

flexural strength in all fibre directions needs to be considered.

0
0

30

45

60

90

N/mm2

Flexural strength
at +23
for fibre
lowdirection
density wood and HDLP
Orientation
fromCmain
Non oil-impregnated
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
140

120

N/mm2

100

An independent standard test made according to IEC

60763-2 shows that Figeholm Elboard HDLP has up to
o
o
3 times greater
flexural
strength
a 30
to 60
band
Flexural
strength
at +23within
C for low
density
wood
and HDLP
Non oil-impregnated
relative to the main fibre direction
and a much improved
0
45
60
isotropy than low30density cross-laminated
wood. With
this in
Orientation from main fibre direction
mind, it means that HDLP can be up to 35% thinner than
comparative low density cross-laminated wood in transformer
design. This can also yield significant savings in dimensioning
and bulk materials such as core steel, copper, oil etc.

80

Test rods (20 20 400 mm) were cut out in 0o, 30o, 45o, 60o
HDLP
and 90o with respect to the main fibre direction. Flexural
Wood 1
strength is determined on a laboratory scale with 3-point
Wood 2
bending experiments, according to IEC 60763-2 as shown below.
Wood 3
Wood 4
90

fibre
Main

tion

direc

Flexural strength at +23 C for low density wood and HDLP

Non oil-impregnated

60
140

HDLP

40

Wood 1

120

Wood 2

20

Wood 3

100

Wood 4

N/mm2

0
o
80 0

30o

45o

60o

90o

Orientation from main fibre direction

60
HDLP

40

Wood 1
Wood 2

20

Wood 3
Wood 4

0
0o

30o

45o
Orientation from main fibre direction

60o

90o

Flexural strength (N/mm2) = 1,5 F L/BH2

Comparison HDLP / WOOD

When using cross-laminated wood, press rings and press
supports have to be placed along the main fibre direction
or at 90o relative to the main fibre direction to maintain
mechanical properties at a satisfactory level. HDLP and
HDLC are much more isotropic materials and their nesting
or layout on material can be used in all directions. This,
together with the size constraints of cross-laminated wood,
means that up to 50% less material area-wise is needed when
using HDLP or HDLC.

A complete kit R = 700 mm

HDLP 17,7 m2

Wood 26,4 m2

Main fibre direction

Supply chain
Raw material

The best combination of electrical

and mechanical strength is obtained with
unbleached sulphate pulp made from
spruce and pine from Scandinavian forests.
Figeholm deals with a few selected mills
known for their ability to produce raw
material of stable quality and very low
electrolytic impurity content.

Pulp preparation

Figeholm Elboard is made from pure

cellulose fibres only. There is no filler
material and no bonding agents are added.
Mechanical strength comes from the fibres
themselves and from the adhesion between
them.
The pulp is dispersed in clean water
and refined to a suitable fibre length
composition and bonding ability.

Figeholm Elboard
L

A thin web of fibres is taken up from

the diluted suspension in specifically
designed formers, on to the wire mesh
of a forming roll. From the roll the web
is transferred to an endless felt. The wet
webs are wound onto a large collecting
cylinder in many layers. When the required
thickness is achieved a knife blade is used
to remove the thick web and a large sheet
is created.
Then drying is performed under
compression at an elevated temperature in
a hydraulic day-light press.

Q = Quality control

Lamination
L

Laminated blocks are glued together

from several sheets of pre-compressed
Figeholm Elboard. We produce two types
of laminates, HDLP and HDLC.
HDLP is laminated with polyester resin
(dry process). It has the higher mechanical
strength of the two materials.
HDLC is laminated with casein glue
(water-based). Its mechanical strength is
somewhat lower than for HDLP.
Gaseous emissions from our lamination
process are purified to well below
Environmental Authority approved maxima.

= A modern well equipped laboratory where process, electrical and mechanical properties can
be controlled has been established. We can provide a Test Report with each shipment on
request. The report form contains the actual test data from the shipment and the guaranteed
limit values in accordance with IEC standards.

Components

In our highly modern machine shop,

utilising the latest technology in software,
hardware and machinery, our milled
products and press rings are finalized to
perfection.
Our CNC operations have been developed
over the last 3 decades and our CNC
machines are able to handle full sized
material for maximum utilization.

Delivery

A test report may be supplied with each

shipment. The report form contains the
actual test data from the shipment and the
guaranteed limit values in accordance with
IEC Standards.
Insulation material and components
for power transformers are sensitive to
moisture. For this reason, all deliveries are
carefully sealed and protected prior to
shipment.
When it comes to short lead times,
excellent quality and on time deliveries,
Figeholm Elboard always strives to be top
of the line.

Local presence
The worlds perspective is becoming increasingly global.
With the use of telephone, internet and fast transportation
we reach each other quickly, distances are decreasing.
Meanwhile the pace is increasing and within the industry
forward planning times are becoming shorter. Flexibility and
short lead times are expected standard of today.
Figeholm Elboard is a quality product that is used worldwide
within the transformer industry. Our ambition is to get
as close to our customers as we can. We are continually
expanding our service and local presence by establishing
cooperation with agents and partners to extend our network
of converters and distributors.
Some transformer production continues to be carried out in
Europe, but new plants are being built locally in developing

countries where there is a great need for electrical power. As

a consequence, transformer suppliers have often located their
factories in the same region, in a cluster-like fashion.
For this reason, we have been positioning our organisation
close to these production clusters.
Operational Excellence
Our operations knowledge base is constantly being faced
with new challenges. Skill and experience are continually
evolving and the relationship we have with our customers is
an iterative process.
The knowledge and experience being developed locally is
anchored within the central organisation and exchanged
between our operational units. That is how we are driving
development of the industrys knowledge.

Insulation Business World Wide

Figeholm
Insulution
Lodz
Pucaro
Cotec
Canduct

TEM

PMA

Chongqing

EMID

Longevis

Isoletri

Awami

Guarulhos

Halol

Wilec

Raman
Insulect
Board manufacturing units
Insulation Kit Centres
Converters/distributors

Faxolif

Components made of Figeholm Elboard

Machined and Milled Components made from
Figeholm Elboard are sold under the brand name
Pucaro one of the leading insulation brands in the
transformer industry worldwide.
The Pucaro product range covers the entire range of
insulation requirements in a transformer. This includes
Active Part Kits, Winding Part Kits, Components and a
new Lead Exit system Hapuflex.
The latest technology in hardware, software and
machinery is used to produce the most complex
configurations. Our CNC machines are fully
dimensioned to achieve maximum material utilization
and tolerances. Advanced Press Rings and Machined
Components made from Figeholm laminated Elboard
are used in Transformers from Small Power to UHVDC
Transformers.
Components are made to order, and together with our
engineers we always strive to meet the leading edge of
production technology and quality. There is no doubt
that Pucaro Components together with Figeholm
Elboard go beyond international standards in this
respect.

High Density Pre-Compressed Board HD

and Laminated board HDLP/HDLC made of
HD board are sold and promoted under the
registered brand name, Figeholm Elboard.

Pucaro operates on a global scale as a manufacturer of insulation systems for use in

electric motors, drives and transformers.
Numerous well-known producers
rely on the high quality of our
products, benefitting from our
companys broad experience and
modern technology.
We continually invest in the
training and further qualification of our employees,
and always make space for
new ideas.

Components made from Figeholm

Elboard and Figeholm Laminated
Elboard are sold and promoted under
the registered brand name Pucaro.

Our success is based on

qualified employees, proximity to our customers,
and continual development of our products, true
to our motto:
competent
flexible
worldwide

www.pucaro.com

Environment and FSC quality

Our goal is to minimize our impact on the environment as much as possible.
Therefore, we use FSC-certified raw material in our production.
Figeholm Elboard is produced by locally grown premium cellulose from slow
growing pine and spruce wood. The Scandinavian wood gives long and strong
fibres. Mechanical strength comes from the strong fibres themselves and from
adhesion between them. There is no filler material and no bonding agents are
added. By choosing local suppliers, we also achieve short transports.
We maintain full control over the process from fibre to finished components.
Our production process are purified to well below Environmental Authority
approved maxima.
FSC-certified suppliers, combined with our environmentally adapted
production facility gives us a unique position among board suppliers.

FSC certification provides a credible link between responsible production and consumption of
forest products, enabling consumers and businesses
to make purchasing decisions that benefit people
and the environment as well as providing ongoing
business value.
The Forest Stewardship Council A.C. is an inde-

pendent organisation that has been working more

than 20 years with responsible forest production and
environmental awareness. The FSCs roules safeguards endangered animals and plants, the grounds
future ability to carry forest, safe and sound working
conditions and maintaining the indigenous rights.
Source: www.fsc.org/about-fsc.html

Technical specifications
Material Specification, HDLP
Colour

Material Specification, HDLC

Natural Brown

Colour

Natural Brown

Thickness deviation from nominal

6 12 mm
> 12 mm

Max 5%
Max 4%

Thickness deviation from nominal

6 - 12 mm
> 12 mm

Max 5%
Max 4%

Apparent density

1,15 1,35 g/cm3

Apparent density

1,15 1,30 g/cm3

Compressibility
C
Crev

Max 3%
Min 70%

Compressibility
C
Crev

Max 3,5%
Min 65%

Shrinkage
MD
CMD
Thickness

Max 0,4%
Max 0,6 %
Max 4%

Shrinkage
MD
CMD
Thickness

Max 0,5%
Max 0,7%
Max 6%

Moisture content at delivery

Max 5%

Moisture content at delivery

Max 8%

Conductivity of aqueous extract

Max 10 mS/m

Conductivity of aqueous extract

Max 15 mS/m

pH of aqueous extract

58

pH of aqueous extract

6 10

Electric strength in oil parallel to layers Min 8 kV/mm

Electric strength in oil parallel to layers Min 8 kV/mm

Flexural Strength
MD
CMD

Min 110 N/mm2

Min 90 N/mm2

Flexural Strength
MD
CMD

Min 5 %

Oil absorption

Max 0,015

Dissipation factor tan at 105 C

Oil absorption
Dissipation factor tan at 105 C
o

For full Technical Specifications, ref www.figeholm.se.

Pls note: The values in Figeholm Material specifications
are guaranteed and should not be compared with those
for alternative materials where the specification often
states: best practice.

Min 100 N/mm2

Min 80 N/mm2
Min 6%
o

Max 0,07

MD = Machine Direction
CMD = Cross Machine Direction

www.effectreklam.se

Figeholm
S-572 75 Figeholm Sweden
Tel +46 491-518 00 Fax +46 491-316 45
www.figeholmsbruk.se

Pucaro
D-74255 Roigheim Germany
Tel +49 6298 27-0 Fax +49 6298 27-823
www.pucaro.com