Tag Archive: 2025

  1. Automotive Applications using Molded Thermosets

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    Why are thermoset composites like phenolic and bulk molding compound commonly used material in automotive applications? Molded thermoset parts and components have excellent material properties with regards to resistance against high temperatures, corrosion, and chemicals and automotive fluids. Processing wise, thermosets may be injection molded, or compression molded. Thermoset injection molding is a fast-cycle process that can produce high volumes of parts with complex geometries that may be difficult or costly to achieve in metal or stainless steel. Property-wise, thermosets offer chemical resistance against many types of automotive fluids such as oils, transmission fluids, and coolants. Whereas a thermoplastic molded part may degrade in such chemicals and oils, thermoset parts remain durable and strong, allowing an internal product assembly to remain safe for use. Another material benefit of thermoset composites towards automotive applications is thermosets heat resistance and ability to withstand high operating temperatures. (more…)

  2. Phenolic Molding

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    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 of molded phenolics provide a molded part or component exceptional dielectric strength, electrical insulation, heat resistance, and chemical resistance. These properties allow phenolics to be molded for a variety of safety-critical components in Electrical, Automotive, and Industrial markets. In its raw state, phenolic is similar to thermoplastics such as nylons or ABS in a granular-like form, filled with glass fibers, minerals, or bead fillers dispersed within the resin. Molding wise, phenolics are generally injection molded, but can also be compression or transfer molded. Injection molding phenolics require the use of a molding machine with a screw and barrel to plasticize the material prior to injection. (more…)