Woodland Blog
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 […]
Converting Parts from Metal to Thermoset
Engineers and product designers convert the design of existing parts and components from metals or to thermoset plastics in applications for a variety of material property advantages and benefits to the application. While metal components may require costly secondary machining operations to manufacture a part, thermosets may be molded into complex geometries and shapes. Incorporating […]
Thermoset Molding Processes
As a moldable plastic composite, thermosets can be molded in similar molding processes as thermoplastics such as nylon, ABS, and polypropylene. They can be injection molded, compression molded, 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 […]
Thermoset Use in Automotive Components
Thermosets are a material of choice for some automotive applications due to the unique material properties that thermoset composites offer. Thermosets are able to be injection or compression molded, lending themselves to complex geometries that may be difficult or costly to achieve in metal or stainless steel. Property-wise, thermosets have chemical resistance against many types […]
