Thermoplastic and Thermosetting resins

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Thermoplastic Resins

These resins are extremely common. The resin is formed into shapes and have no reinforcement providing strength.

The use of thermoplastic resin started in the mid of 1800s, The celluloid being the first commercial example.

Thermoplastic resin is a polymer compound that becomes soft or fluid when heated and then returns to its original solid state when cooled.

This compound is used in plastic molding processes like injection molding. The process of injection molding requires the raw material to be in a liquid or plastic state to fill the mold completely.

The examples of common thermoplastic resins as follows :

Advantages of thermoplastic

Common advantage of thermoplastic composites

• Aesthetically-superior finishes
• Chemical resistant
• Hard crystalline or rubbery surface

Disadvantages of Thermoplastics:

• Generally more expensive than thermoset
• Can melt if heated

Thermosetting resins

A thermosetting resin is a prepolymer in a soft solid or viscous state that changes irreversibly into an infusible, insoluble polymer network by curing. Polymer materials may be categorized in a number of comparative ways. Common categories include natural versus synthetic and oil-resistant versus non-oil-resistant.

The common thermosetting resin include:

• Polyester Resin
• Vinyl Ester Resin
• Epoxy
• Phenolic
• Urethane

Properties of thermosetting resins:

Thermosetting plastics are generally stronger than thermoplastic materials due to the three-dimensional network of bonds (cross-linking), and are also better suited to high-temperature applications up to the decomposition temperature.

1. Excellent resistance to solvents and corrosives
2. Resistance to heat and high temperature
3. Excellent finishing
4. Fatigue strength
5. Excellent adhesion
6. Tailored elasticity
The thermosetting resin once catalyzed then it can not be reversed or reformed. Means once a thermoset composite is formed, it cannot be remolded or reshaped, because of this property, the recycling of thermoset composites is extremely difficult.

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