Posted by Woodland Plastics on | Comments Off on Why Thermosets Are a Go-To Material for Utilities and Power Grid Applications
Thermoset materials are a trusted choice across the Utilities and Power Grid industries, thanks to their exceptional resistance to heat, corrosion, and harsh environmental conditions. Designed to endure everything from snow and rain to extreme heat, thermoset-molded components offer long-term durability in demanding outdoor applications.
Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) frequently use thermosets for critical electrical protection. These materials play a key role in keeping power lines operational, even in aggressive outdoor environments. Common uses include electrical housings and enclosures that shield sensitive electronics and wiring. Thermosets are also found in circuit breakers and power blocks, where they help safeguard internal components while providing a safer handling experience for utility workers during installation and maintenance. (more…)
Rethinking Plastics: Why Thermosets Deserve a Second Look
When most people think of plastic recycling, they picture soda bottles, food containers, or grocery bags—items made from thermoplastics. But another class of plastics plays a critical role in modern manufacturing: thermosets.
Known for their strength, heat resistance, and long-term durability, thermosets are widely used in high-performance applications such as automotive components, wind turbine blades, electronics, and electrical systems. For years, their biggest drawback was recyclability—or rather, the lack of it.
That’s changing. Thanks to recent innovations, thermosets are emerging as viable candidates for circular manufacturing. At Woodland Plastics, we’re closely monitoring this transformation and preparing for what’s next.
Thermoplastics vs. Thermosets: What’s the Difference?
Understanding the difference between these two material families helps explain why thermosets were historically excluded from recycling programs.
Thermoplastics:
• Can be melted and reshaped repeatedly
• Easily recyclable through conventional systems
• Common in consumer packaging and disposable goods
Thermosets:
• Cure into a permanent, rigid structure
• Cannot be remelted or reshaped
• Known for exceptional durability, heat resistance, and mechanical strength
• Often reinforced with fiberglass or carbon fiber for added performance
These properties make thermosets ideal for demanding environments—but they’ve also made recycling a challenge. Until now.
The Thermoset Recycling Revolution
New technologies are rewriting the rules and opening doors to sustainable reuse:
1. Mechanical Recycling
Thermosets are ground into powders or fibers and reused as filler in new composite materials. While not full material recovery, this method extends product life and diverts waste from landfills.
2. Chemical Recycling
Advanced processes such as pyrolysis and solvolysis break thermosets down into reusable resins and recovered fibers—even from reinforced composites. This enables the reuse of parts like circuit boards and automotive components in entirely new applications.
3. Thermal Recovery
When direct recycling isn’t feasible, controlled incineration can recover energy from thermosets—supporting waste-to-energy systems and reducing landfill dependency.
Emerging Innovations Worth Watching
The science behind thermoset recycling is evolving rapidly.
Key breakthroughs include:
• Bio-tailored thermosets that degrade with enzymes
• Orthogonal polymerization enabling full material recovery from a single monomer
• Cryogenic grinding for efficient reuse of fiber-reinforced composites
• Dynamic covalent networks (CANs) that allow reshaping and repair of cured thermosets
These advancements are redefining possibilities across the industry. Woodland Plastics is committed to staying ahead of the curve by supporting these efforts and actively exploring future participation.
We remain dedicated to:
• Staying informed on emerging technologies
• Advancing sustainable design and sourcing practices
• Partnering with customers who prioritize circular manufacturing
Why It Matters
Although thermosets account for only 15–20% of global plastic use, they are essential in high-value, high-performance applications.
Recycling them supports:
• Reduced raw material extraction
• Lower greenhouse gas emissions
• More sustainable manufacturing across industries
Recyclability is no longer a barrier to thermoset adoption. With new recovery methods emerging, these high-performance materials are ready for reconsideration. The future of thermosets is not just durable—it’s recyclable.
Let’s Build What’s Next—Together
At Woodland Plastics, we’re committed to helping every customer navigate the evolving landscape of sustainable materials and meet the demands of recyclability, reusability, and compliance with changing industry standards. Whether you’re developing high-performance components or exploring greener alternatives, we’re here to support your goals with clarity, expertise, and forward-thinking solutions.
Have questions about thermosets, sustainability, or material compliance?
Let’s start the conversation. We’re ready to collaborate.
Posted by Woodland Plastics on | Comments Off on Thermoset Plastics Superior Performance in Demanding Applications
Thermoset Plastics: The Engineered Advantage Behind High-Performance Manufacturing
In today’s competitive manufacturing landscape, material selection isn’t just a technical decision—it’s a strategic one. At Woodland Plastics, we specialize in thermoset molding because we understand the demands of OEMs operating in high-temperature, high-load, and chemically aggressive environments. When long-term reliability and performance are non-negotiable, thermoset plastics deliver where thermoplastics—including glass-filled nylon—fall short. (more…)
Posted by Woodland Plastics on | Comments Off on Maximizing Precision and Performance in Aerospace with Advanced Molding Techniques
At Woodland Plastics, we’re always striving to deliver the most efficient and effective solutions for our customers in the aerospace industry. Aerospace manufacturers face unique challenges when it comes to producing lightweight, high-performance components that must withstand extreme environments. That’s why we rely on advanced molding technologies like Thermoset Injection Molding, Injection-Compression Molding, and Insert Molding to meet the demanding needs of aerospace production.
In this post, we’ll explore why these three molding techniques are game changers for aerospace applications and how they contribute to the next generation of aviation technology. (more…)
Posted by Woodland Plastics on | Comments Off on Thermoset Plastics: A Strategic Advantage in Drone Component Manufacturing
As drone technology evolves, manufacturers face mounting pressure to deliver lightweight, heat-resistant, and dimensionally stable components—without compromising cost or compliance. Thermoset plastics offer a strategic solution.
Thermoset plastics offer a compelling value proposition for drone manufacturers seeking lightweight, durable, and heat-resistant components. This white paper explores their unique properties, manufacturing advantages, and strategic fit for high-performance drone applications. Woodland Plastics leverages Thermoset molding to reduce component failure rates, streamline production, and meet the rigorous demands of high-performance applications through precision tooling, material integrity, and audit-ready documentation. (more…)
Posted by Woodland Plastics on | Comments Off on Thermosets Used in EVs (Electric Vehicles)
As a performance grade composite, thermoset plastic materials are used in a variety of challenging automotive applications and environments due to the excellent heat resistance and temperature deflection properties. Common historical applications include powerpoint and transmission components, interior ash cups, solenoids, and other components needing to remain durable within tough applications. These properties allow molded thermoset parts to avoid deforming or degradation when exposed to high operating temperatures. Recently with the increase of EV (Electric Vehicle) production, thermosets are used more within automotive electrical applications to protect internal electronics such as PCBs, sensors, and charging components and allow safe connections between the electronic assembly and vehicle interface. Whereas thermosets have long been a heavy used material within electrical housings, connectors, switches, relays, and circuit breakers, the increase in EVs have provided a new market for thermosets, but with similar environments to its industrial electrical counterparts. (more…)
Posted by Woodland Plastics on | Comments Off on Thermoset Molding Materials
Thermoset plastics, or composites, differ from thermoplastic materials. While thermoplastics are more more common molding materials for general plastic use, thermosets are a material of choice for challenging applications exposed to electrical current, high temperature, or aggressive chemicals. In similar application settings, thermoplastics will degrade, jeopardizing the integrity of the molded part. Thermosets remain dimensionally and chemically stable within these elements. What materials are commonly used in thermoset molding? (more…)
Posted by Woodland Plastics on | Comments Off on Thermoset Injection vs Thermoset Compression Molding
Thermosets are plastic composites used in applications exposed to aggressive elements such as high electrical current, heat and high temperatures, or exposure to chemicals and oils. Thermoset materials can be formed in a variety of molding processes including injection, compression, injection-compression hybrid, insert injection, and transfer molded. Injection and compression molding are the most common molding processes for thermoset parts. Depending on the parts, how they are used, and the specifications to the application, a part may be better suited to be injection or compression molded. (more…)
Posted by Woodland Plastics on | Comments Off on Automation in Thermoset Molding Processing
In support of high-volume molding programs, Woodland Plastics offers various automation options in its manufacturing production to increase throughput, reduce costs, improving workforce safety, and remain competitive against global competitors. Woodland Plastics has developed and implemented a variety of automation processes into it’s business including both automation during molding such as press-side robotics and end of arm tooling, as well as automation in secondary processes such as automated inline deflash equipment and vision inspection systems. Applications that make sense to implement automation include high volume programs that require excellent efficiency, parts that require 100% inspection, or components needing a high throughput of secondary deflash to keep up cycle times with the molding presses. (more…)
Posted by Woodland Plastics on | Comments Off on Thermoset Use in Home Appliances
Thermosets, or thermoset composites, are molding materials specified towards a variety of home appliance products and applications. Thermoset materials including BMC and Phenolic are selected as a material of choice in these applications for their high heat and chemical resistance properties. Many home appliances and cookware products incorporate heating elements or electrical connections to power the products. Thermoset molded parts in appliances are used for both safe handling as well as internal component protection to keep a product assembly dimensionally stable without disfiguring. (more…)
Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) frequently use thermosets for critical electrical protection. These materials play a key role in keeping power lines operational, even in aggressive outdoor environments. Common uses include electrical housings and enclosures that shield sensitive electronics and wiring. Thermosets are also found in circuit breakers and power blocks, where they help safeguard internal components while providing a safer handling experience for utility workers during installation and maintenance. (more…)
Whereas thermosets have long been a heavy used material within electrical housings, connectors, switches, relays, and circuit breakers, the increase in EVs have provided a new market for thermosets, but with similar environments to its industrial electrical counterparts. 
Thermoset plastics, or composites, differ from thermoplastic materials. While thermoplastics are more more common molding materials for general plastic use, thermosets are a material of choice for challenging applications exposed to electrical current, high temperature, or aggressive chemicals. In similar application settings, thermoplastics will degrade, jeopardizing the integrity of the molded part. Thermosets remain dimensionally and chemically stable within these elements. What materials are commonly used in thermoset molding? 
Thermosets, or thermoset composites, are molding materials specified towards a variety of home appliance products and applications. Thermoset materials including BMC and Phenolic are selected as a material of choice in these applications for their high heat and chemical resistance properties. Many home appliances and cookware products incorporate heating elements or electrical connections to power the products. 
