Woodland Blog

Deflashing Thermosets

One of the main differences between molding thermosets and thermoplastics is that thermoset molded parts must be deflashed after they are formed, whereas thermoplastics are molded without flash. Flash is excess material from the material needed to form a full part. In order to mold a full part, thermosets must be molded with flash, otherwise […]

Using Molded Thermosets in Automotive

As a performance-based material, thermosets offer molded components with corrosion resistance, chemical resistance, and durability within high heat and operating temperatures. This durability allows thermosets to be used in applications exposed to tough environments where thermoplastic components could degrade or compromise the safety and performance of a product assembly. Industries such as the automotive, electrical, […]

Thermoset Molding for Corrosive Environments

A big difference between molded thermoplastic (nylon, ABS, polypropylene, etc.) parts and thermoset (BMC, phenolic) parts is the performance properties the molding material provides a part with. Whereas thermoplastics can be remelted and remolded, a molded thermoset part cannot be remelted and re-molded a second time. This is due to the chemistry composition thermosets exude. […]

Injection Molding with Thermosets

With history dating back to the original Bakelite plastic in the 1900s, thermoset plastics have been molded into parts and components for many decades. While thermosets have historically been formed with a compression molding process, thermoset production has evolved as new molding technologies have been discovered and advanced over the years. Currently, thermoset materials can […]

Why Flash is Required in Thermoset Molding

One major difference between thermoset molding and thermoplastic molding is the appearance of parts coming out of the press. While both thermoset and thermoplastic materials may be formed using similar molding processes (injection, compression, or insert molded), thermoset molded parts must be molded with excess flash, or plastic material, around the parts in order to […]

Manufacturing ERP Software for Real-Time Production Data

What is a manufacturing ERP system? Manufacturing ERP is a business management software system that streamlines manufacturing operations and data to provide a real-time view of its core business processes. While manufacturers can tailor their own ERP applications to relevant avenues of their manufacturing operations, some common applications included in a manufacturing ERP system may […]

Metal-to-Thermoset Conversion

As engineers and product designers continue to try and maximize efficiency and minimize costs in existing or new product applications, thermosets are an excellent material conversion option for high-performance, price-sensitive applications that are currently manufactured in metallic materials. Whether converting for cost reductions, material performance improvement, or expanding capacity, thermoset composites are allowing engineers to […]

Thermoset Molding with Inserts

By utilizing a molding process, OEMs and manufacturers are able to design parts into complex geometries to meet the needs of the end product. This design flexibility allows part designers to implement more features into a part design, consolidate multiple parts of an assembly, and reduce overall manufacturing costs for a product assembly. Along with […]

Thermosets for Applications Requiring Heat Resistance

One of the main benefits of using thermosets as a molding material for parts and components is the heat resistance and high temperature deflection properties that thermoset materials offer. Whereas thermoplastic molding materials such as a nylon or ABS can disfigure, melt, or carbonize; parts molded from a thermoset remain dimensionally stable, allowing the molded […]

Injection Molding Thermoset Plastics

Thermoset plastics have been widely used in manufacturing for parts requiring protection against high operating temperatures and electrical currents. From the historic bakelite materials to new age composite formulations used in advanced automotive, aerospace, and electrical markets; thermosets are a material of choice for challenging applications and aggressive operating elements. Aside from determining the correct […]