Thermoset Molding Electrical Products

Thermosets are performance-grade composites or plastics, suitable for molded parts used in challenging and aggressive environments. Parts exposed to electrical current and high operating temperatures have long been molded with thermosets due to the materials’ physical and chemical stability. Thermosets remain durable in electrical applications and exhibit strong dielectric insulation, making them suitable for electrical covers, circuit breakers, terminal blocks, and other electrical components housing internal components or electrical wiring. With superior electrical properties over many engineered thermoplastics, thermosets are an excellent, low-cost material choice for electrical parts or assemblies that may experience electrical voltage, elevated temperatures, or thermal shock.

Electrical components and assemblies require materials that not only protect internal components and electronics, but also allow for safe handling by users and service technicians. Molding electrical parts with a thermoset composite can provide a host of safety benefits. Thermosets provided excellent resistance to arc and track, protecting both the part and internal components from potential product failure or burning. Components requiring a thermoset due to potential electrical arc or track damage include switches, circuit breakers, contacts, and fuses. Aside from arc and track resistance, thermoset molded parts are heat resistant up to 400-500 degrees depending on material formulation, allowing the parts to continue operating in high temperatures or under thermal shock conditions without degradation. Many thermoset material formulations are also UL 94 rated for flammability with a V0 or 5VA designation. Lastly, thermosets are used in many applications as electrical insulators to resist the flow of electrical charges or currents that can cause physical or chemical damage or degradation to parts and assemblies.