Thermoset plastics, which with thermosetting resin as the main component. It’s a kind of plastic that form products by cross-linking and curing with various necessary additives. In the early stage of the manufacturing or molding process, it maintain the liquid, after curing that is insoluble, can not be hot melting or softening again.
What is the difference between thermoset plastics and thermoplastics?
Thermoset plastic can soften the flow when it is first heated to a certain temperature. Then a chemical reaction will be resulted ( A cross-linking reaction), which lead to solidifies and hardens. This change is irreversible!
The resin molecular chains in thermoplastics are linear or branched chains. It can soften and flow when heated, and the process of cooling and hardening is a physical change, in other word it’s reversible.
What are the main types of Thermoset plastics? How to correctly choose these plastics to combine their advantages?
| Plastic type | Advantages | Main Applications |
| Phenol-formaldehyde resin (PF) | Easy molding, Good dimensional stability; Good electrical insulation; Good heat resistance | Electrical receptacles; Coatings and Adhesives |
| Animoplastics (AF) | Hard, scratch resistant, colorless and translucent | Industrial parts, Medical instruments, Decorative materials, Heat&Sound insulation materials |
| Urea-formaldehyde resin (UF) | Colorless and transparent, Good heat resistance, High hardness, Good mechanical properties | Tableware, Daily necessities, Furniture |
| Melamine-formaldehyde resin(MF) | High hardness, Wear resistance, Flame retardant | Coatings, Decorative panels, Molding materials and Adhesives |
| Epoxy resin(EP) | Excellent bonding effect, Electrical insulation and Resistant to chemical corrosion | Adhesives, Coatings, Electrical insulation materials |
| Organic silicon resin | Electrical insulation, Heat resistance and Water aversion | Electrical insulating material |
| Unsaturated polyester resin | Low pressure molding, Glass fiber reinforced type | FRP manufacturing, Potting materials |
| Polyurethane | Light, Foamable, Processed easily | Furniture, Packing materials and Coatings |
Although most thermosetting plastics have the advantages of heat resistance, good electrical insulation, but with the development of industrial technology, more and more areas put forward higher requirements for color retention and durability.
How to improve the durability and color stability of thermosetting plastics:
UV absorbers for Thermoset plastics-
UV1: It’s mainly aimed at UVB band protection. UV1 is widely applied in most thermosetting plastics with high cost performance. Like polyurethane, adhesive, foam and other thermoset molding materials.
UV1577: It is mainly used in systems with high requirements for product transparency and color stability. Such as high-end furniture decorative board, car decorative materials, artificial jewelry and so on.
Suitable antioxidants can greatly extend the service life and durability of materials! Especially when it used in combination with UV absorbers.
“Antioxidants fomula”- AN1076+AN626:
This is a combination of a hindered phenolic antioxidant and a macro-molecular auxiliary antioxidant. It not only plays a protective role in the process of material processing, but also can play a lasting role in the use stage, to alleviate the photooxygen aging degradation of materials!
If you are interested in above additives, welcome to contact our sales staff. Sincerely looking forward to your inquiry!