What is a Thermoset Material?

A Thermoset material is made of polymer resins that are cured through a heat and chemical cross linking process. This curing process transforms the resin into its final form and once the crosslinking has taken place, the material cannot be melted or re-shaped. Thermoset materials are generally stronger than thermoplastic materials and are better suited to high temperature and high strength applications. Some examples of thermoset materials are:

• polyester fiberglass systems such as sheet molding and bulk molding compounds
• phenolic
• melamine
• epoxy
• urea
• melamine/phenolicdiallyl ortho phthalate

Why choose a Thermoset Material?

Thermoset composite materials are an ideal choice when choosing a material for a product that needs the following property values.

• dimensional stability
• high heat resistance
• electrical insulation
• high flex strength
• thermal insulation
• corrosion resistance
• creep resistance
• low fluid absorption

What are some applications for thermoset material?

Typical applications for these materials are:

• electrical enclosures, toggle bars, levers, switch bases, spacers, slip rings
• automotive caps and housings
• shower and bath fixtures
• small and large appliance handles, control panels, side and end panels
• outdoor grill shelves and control knobs
• lighting luminaires, bases and covers

Thermoset materials are an excellent canidate for products being considered for metal replacement.