Materials

Thermoset Composites
What are they?

• Mixtures of polymer resins, catalysts and reinforcements
  • Materials react and cross-link when exposed to thermal energy, hence – “thermoset”.
• Thermosets are permanently solidified upon cross-linking.
  • While thermoplastics can be melted, solidified and melted again with heat cycles, thermosets are permanently solid.
  • So, thermosets are well suited to high temperature environments; thermoplastics are not.
• Thermoset materials get their unique properties from the formation of three-dimensional covalent bonds between the molecules – “cross-linking”.
  • Thermoplastics exhibit molecule-to-molecule bonds that are largely electrostatic attractions and entanglements.

Thermoset Composites
when to use them...

Thermoset composites often fill in the performance region between common thermoplastics and metals.

Attributes of Thermoset Composites
Application in Product Design

One might choose from the thermoset family of materials when the design called for one or more of this criteria.

Thermoset vs. Thermoplastic
Tensile Modulus as a Function of Temperature
High TG Attribute

Thermoset vs. Thermoplastic
Compressive Creep Properties at 150°C

Typical Physical Properties
Unsaturated Polyester & Vinyl Ester Thermoset Materials

Thermoset Composites

• High Stiffness
• High Strength
• Structural Aesthetics
• Dimensional Stability at Elevated Temperatures
• Low Creep at Elevated Temperatures
• Dielectric Applications
• Chemical Resistance
• Longer Tool Life Compared To Die Cast
• Lower Cost Than Engineered Thermoplastic
• Lower Cost Than Die Cast Metals