THERMOSET Vs THERMOPLASTICS _____________________________________________________________________ Though thermoset plastics and thermoplastics sound similar, they have very different properties and applications. Understanding the performance differences can help you make better sourcing decisions and improve your product designs. The primary physical difference is that thermoplastics can be remelted back into a liquid, whereas thermoset plastics always remain in a permanent solid state. Think of thermoplastics as butter – butter can be melted and cooled multiple times to form various shapes. Thermoset is similar to bread in that once the final state is achieved, any additional heat would lead to charring. Thermoplastics Thermoplastics Curing Process: Thermoplastics pellets soften when heated and become more fluid as additional heat is applied. The curing process is completely reversible as no chemical bonding takes place. This characteristic allows thermoplastics to be remolded and recycled without negatively affecting the material’s physical properties Features & BenefitsThere are multiple thermoplastic resins that offer various performance benefits, but most materials commonly offer high strength, shrink-resistance and easy bendability. Depending on the resin, thermoplastics can serve low-stress applications such as plastic bags or high-stress mechanical parts. GLOSARY Pros ● Highly recyclable ● Aesthetically-superior finishes ● High-impact resistance ● Remolding/reshaping capabilities ● Chemical resistant ● Hard crystalline or rubbery surface options ● Eco-friendly manufacturing Cons ● Generally more expensive than thermoset ● Can melt if heated Thermoset Thermoset Curing Process: Thermoset plastics contain polymers that cross-link together during the curing process to form an irreversible chemical bond. The cross-linking process eliminates the risk of the product remelting when heat is applied, making thermosets ideal for high-heat applications such as electronics and appliances. Features & Benefits: Thermoset plastics significantly improve the material’s mechanical properties, providing enhances chemical resistance, heat resistance and structural integrity. Thermoset plastics are often used for sealed products due to their resistance to deformation. Pros ● More resistant to high temperatures than thermoplastics ● Highly flexible design ● Thick to thin wall capabilities ● Excellent aesthetic appearance ● High levels of dimensional stability ● Cost-effective Cons ● Cannot be recycled ● More difficult to surface finish ● Cannot be remolded or reshaped What Does Curing Mean? Curing is a process during which a chemical reaction (such as polymerization) or physical action (such as evaporation) takes place, resulting in a harder, tougher or more stable linkage (such as an adhesive bond) or substance (such as concrete). Curing processes require maintenance of a certain temperature and/or humidity level, others require a certain pressure. Identificación de plásticos por su código La manera más sencilla de conocer las propiedades de un plástico es fijarse en el código que incluye la propia pieza. Se trata de un código alfanumérico en el que se indica tanto el material principal como los de refuerzo. Este código viene escrito entre los símbolos ”> <”. Dentro de las flechas se indican las nomenclaturas, tanto del polímero base como del material de refuerzo, si lo hubiera. Ambos, el polímero base y los materiales de refuerzo, van separados por un guiones. El material de refuerzo suele presentar también un número, que corresponde al porcentaje de dicho material presente en la pieza. Se vería de este modo: ● >XXXX – XXX< (las 4 primeras “X” corresponden al polímero base, y las otras 3, al material de refuerzo). Muchos tipos de plásticos tienen nombres demasiado largos, por lo que se opta por utilizar abreviaturas para las nomenclaturas. Entonces, si tenemos por ejemplo el código “>ABS T12<” quiere decir que se trata de acrilonitrilo-butadieno-estireno con un carga de talco del 12 %. Para otras nomenclaturas, simplemente ten a mano una lista de abreviaturas de plásticos. Thermoset vs. Thermoplastics
