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Comparison of Thermoset Versus Thermoplastic Materials

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Introduction set in their physical and chemical properties after an initial
heat treatment and therefore are no longer affected by
hermoset and Thermoplastics are two separate forms additional heat exposure. The process is very similar to
Tof polymer powders, which are differentiated based on hard boiling an egg. Once the egg is boiled, additional
their behavior when reacting to the application of heat. reheating does not cause disfiguration – similar to the
The primary difference between the two is that Thermoset curing process associated with a thermoset part. After
is a material that strengthens when heated, but cannot initial heat forming, thermoset material’s ability to
be remolded or heated after the initial forming, while exhibit resistance to heat, corrosion, and mechanical
thermoplastics can be reheated, remolded, and cooled creep make them perfectly suitable for use in components
as necessary without causing any chemical changes. that require tight tolerances and excellent strength-to-
As a result of these physical and chemical properties, weight characteristics, while being exposed to elevated
thermoplastic materials have low melting points while temperatures.
thermoset products can withstand higher temperature
without loss of its structural integrity. Applications of Thermoset Plastics
In this article, the uses and applications of each of these Thermoset plastics offer enhanced high-performance
types of polymers will be presented, including a summary combination of thermal stability, chemical resistance,
of the relative advantages and limitations of each. and structural integrity. Thermoset components are used
extensively in a wide range of industries – and are used
for applications in the automotive, appliance, electrical,
lighting, and energy markets due to excellent chemical
and thermal stability along with superior strength,
hardness, and moldability.
Thermoset plastic composites are capable of meeting the
specifications of a wide range of production materials
at a very low cost. Their use allows for an assortment
of small and large parts to be fabricated with high
production volume while maintaining their repeatability
consistently from batch to batch. Thermosets provide
an alternative process when complex and geometric
What are Thermoset Plastics? shapes cannot be achieved through metal fabrication or
the use of thermoplastics but can be manufactured in a
Plastics are one of the most common materials used to mold. Thermoset plastics maintain their stability in all
manufacture goods today, from the keyboard you’re typing environments and temperatures.
on to the International Space Station – plastics are here
to stay. So how can plastics which can make something Advantages of Thermosets
simple as a pen create something so complex that it can The use of thermoset plastics has a number of advantages.
withstand rigorous physical and chemical elements such Unlike thermoplastics, they retain their strength and shape
as excess heat and corrosion? The answer is thermoset even when heated. This makes thermosetting plastics well-
plastics or thermosetting. Thermosets are unique and suited to the production of permanent components and
quite different from traditional plastic materials such large, solid shapes. Additionally, these components have
as thermoplastics. Unlike traditional thermoplastic parts excellent strength attributes (although they are brittle),
that melt and disfigure when exposed to excess heat, and will not lose significant strength when exposed to
thermoset components as implied by their name become higher operating temperatures.

Plastics News March 2019 24