What Plastics are Thermoset?
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Thermosets are a niche grade of plastic or composite molding materials compared to common engineered thermoplastics such as PA66 (nylons), ABS, Polypropylene, etc. While thermosets are much less known, they have been used in various components longer than thermoplastics. The original plastic material, bakelite, created by Leo Baekeland in 1907 was a type of thermoset composite. Although thermoset materials have been molded and used in components dating back a century ago, thermosets are now used commonly towards specialty end use applications that experience high heat or electrical current. Where a thermoplastic molded part may degrade and disfigure under such elements, thermosets remain durable and strong due to the high temperature resistance and dielectric strength. (more…)
Thermoset Molding for High Temperature Components
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Thermosets are used in molding applications requiring an end-part or product assembly to remain dimensionally stable within challenging and aggressive environments. Resistance to high temperatures and heat is one of the major benefits of designing a component with a molded thermoset vs a thermoplastic material. Molded thermoset parts exhibit very good dimensional stability in high heat and high operating temperatures. Thermoset materials provide components with properties of heat resistance up to 400F-500F continuous operating temperatures depending on the material formulation, whereas thermoplastic molding materials such as a nylon or ABS may disfigure, melt, or carbonize and jeopardize the integrity of a product or assembly when exposed to similar temperatures. If a part or product assembly must withstand high operating temperatures and aggressive end-use elements, choosing a thermoset as your molding material may help keep your product assembly remain safe and functioning as intended. (more…)
