OK, gotta design a pressure cooker for uni project, and trying to work out what material the plastic handles are made of (same stuff as saucepans etc). Everyone saying Bakelite, but its wikipedia page (I know…) says its not really been used after the 1930s…

Anyone know whats used now adays, apart from just “a thermosetting plastic”?

Ta, Duane 🙂

Phenol Formaldehyde

could it be this stuff

Phenolic polymers:

http://www.bpf.co.uk/plastipedia/polymers/default.aspx

If your going to design something then have a look at the potential of using a silicone rubber. Better grip, good insulation properties and IMO better aesthetics.

I’ll second that Jon – silicone is becoming more common for kitchen accessories because of those properties and more and more fashionable because of the possibilities with colours and moulding.

Just do what bike manufacurers do and put a few strands of carbon fibre in the bakelite ( Phenol Formaldehyde ) and then make some claims about the handling properties etc.

Cheers for the replies. That silicone rubber stuff, its just used to coat a metal handle isnt it? It doesnt actually have any rigidity does it? Kinda wanna make the handle one piece (simplicity), so probably just go for that Phenol Formaldehyde stuff.

If you make the handles the right shape they won’t need to be rigid.

Sorry what? Surely if its not rigid it’ll be flexible :/