FAQs
What are the pros of thermoset materials?
- It is dimensionally stable, strong and rigid
- It is more resistant against high temperatures than thermoplastic
- It has excellent aesthetic finishes and surface hardness
- It has high mechanical properties
- It is cost effective
- It has great design flexibility; wall thickness variation is not an issue
- It offers weight savings over metal
- It has excellent insulating properties
What are the cons of thermoset materials?
- It has to be mechanically recycled
- It is more difficult to surface finish
- It cannot be remolded or reshaped
- It has poor thermal conductivity
- Material compounds have a shelf life
What is the primary difference between thermoset plastics and thermoplastics?
- The primary difference is that thermoplastics can be remelted back into a liquid and reprocessed, whereas thermoset plastics always remain in a permanent solid state. Think of thermoplastics as butter and thermoset plastics as bread.
What does the thermoset curing process consist of?
- The thermoset plastics contain polymers that cross-link together during the curing process to form an irreversible chemical bond. Cross-linking eliminates the rise of the product remelting when heat is applied, making thermosets ideal for high-heat applications such as electronics and appliances.
What are the benefits thermoset plastics can offer over their metal counterparts?
- Available molded-in tolerances
- Choice of color and surface finishes
- High strength-to-weight ratio and performance
- Outstanding dielectric strength
- Low thermal conductivity and microwave transparency
- Resistance to corrosion effects and water
- Reduced production costs over fabrication using metals
What are the markets for thermoset materials?
- Aerospace
- Automotive
- Electrical Insulation
- Home and Commercial Kitchen
- Lawn and Garden
- Lighting
- Oil and Gas
What are the characteristics of phenolic molding compounds?
- Phenolic is Heat Resistant and unlike many thermoplastic resins, parts molded from phenolic do not melt or drip when exposed to a potential ignition source.
- Phenolic will maintain its structural integrity under mechanical load during a prolonged exposure to elevate temperatures.
- Phenolic parts can be post baked to improve dimensional stability, creep resistance and modulus (stiffness) at elevated temperatures.
What are typical applications for phenolic molding materials?
- Electrical applications, such as switch housings, circuit breaker cases, fuse holders, lighting baffles, capacitor caps, connectors, and commutators
- Cookware handles and knobs
- Small appliance parts
What are typical applications for thermoset polyester molding materials?
- Major appliance parts
- Components for small electrical appliances
- Brake Insulators
- Industrial light housings
- Automotive valve covers, headlight liners, and ignition parts
- Electric motor mounts, brush cards, brush holders, starter housings, and circuit breaker housings
- Recessed lighting baffles
When should I consider thermoset plastic?
- When the application requires high heat resistance, mechanical strength, and electrical insulating properties
- When the application requires a weight reduction; conversion from metal
Are thermoset plastics machinable?
- Yes