Where high power electrical supplies need to be turned on and off, one of the traditional methods of controlling the electrical arcs is air break switchgear which contains arc chutes. For these devices high temperature resistant materials with good electrical insulation must be used.

For many years asbestos materials were the industry standard for building arc chutes. Legislation has banned the use of products containing asbestos and TENMAT has thus developed a range of asbestos-free materials with outstanding arc resistant properties. SINDANYO, REFRAVER and ARCLEX materials have been specifically developed for these applications and exhibit excellent electrical properties in high power applications.

In addition to the railway industry, ARCLEX with its extremely high performance electrical properties, is also widely specified in switchgear and circuit breakers in many power stations throughout the world. In the UK, switchgear manufacturers such as NEI Reyrolle, GEC, Whipp and Bourne, Ottermill, English Electric, Siemens and VA Tech have all been involved in air brake switchgear over the decades and the materials from TENMAT are now widely used where asbestos replacement refurbishment work is needed.

TENMAT materials are the preferred choice for all applications requiring effective circuit breaking technologies, such as trackside DC switchgear, metrosystems and aerospace electrical systems.