Woodland Blog
Phenolic Molding
Phenolics, or phenolic molding compounds, are a type of thermoset composite or plastic molding material. Phenolics have history dating back to the very first plastic, bakelite, that derived from Leo Baekeland in the early 1900s. Despite a long history, phenolics thermosets are still commonly molded today for various applications and end products. The physical properties […]
Injection Molding Thermoset Materials
As a type of plastic material, thermosets can be molded in similar molding processes as thermoplastic materials such as nylon, ABS, and polypropylene. Thermosets can be injection, compression, and transfer molded. Each molding process offers different benefits and disadvantages depending on the finished part’s geometry, assembly, and commercial aspects of the program. OEMs and molders […]
BMC Molding
BMC, or Bulk Molding Compound, is a type of thermoset composite molding material. BMCs are unsaturated polyesters or vinyl esters, and can be injection or compression molded with thermoset molding machines. The properties of BMC molded parts include exceptional dielectric strength, electrical insulation, heat resistance, and chemical resistance. These end properties lend BMC to be […]
Why Thermoset Parts Need to be Deflashed
“Deflashing” is a secondary manufacturing process in thermoset molding to remove excess material or “flash” from molded parts. Whereas a thermoplastic molded part is molded as a finished part ready to ship, thermoset molded parts must be flashed with excess material around the part to avoid molding defects and short shots. The parts can be […]
Thermosets Plastics for Electrical Components
Why are thermosets commonly used in injection molding applications for electrical parts and components? Thermosets exude exceptional electrical stability, high dielectric strength, and resistance to arc and track to protect electrical products and internal components from electrical charge. Parts including circuit breakers, terminal blocks, and electrical connectors are molded from thermoset materials to ensure product […]
Thermoset vs Thermoplastic Injection Molding
Thermoset and thermoplastic materials are two types of plastic molding materials. Each type of material can be injection molded, however the injection molding process differs between each type of resin. While injection molded parts from both thermoset and thermoplastic may have similar aesthetics, the two material types can exude drastically different material performance properties. Thermosets […]
What Plastics are Thermoset?
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 […]
Thermoset Molding for High Temperature Components
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 […]
Deflashing Thermoset Parts
While thermoplastic and thermoset molded parts may appear similar, one difference between molded parts is that thermoset parts are molded with excess material or “flash”, and must be deflashed after they are molded, whereas thermoplastics are molded without excess flash. Flash is excess molding material needed in thermoset molding to fully form a part and […]
Molded Thermosets for Kitchen Appliance Products
Thermosets are used in products in a variety of industries. Electrical and automotive are two heavy users of molded thermoset components due to thermoset materials durability and protection against high temperatures and electrical current. Another industry that relies on the unique properties of thermoset molding materials is the home and consumer appliance market. Whether a […]
