The International Association of Plastics Distributors
Understanding Thermoset
Plastic Materials
Prepared by the IAPD Education Committee (Module 6)
Presented courtesy of Modern Plastics Inc.
The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 6
The International Association of Plastics Distributors
Thermosets
• Resin
• Thermoset vs. thermoplastic
The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 6
The International Association of Plastics Distributors
Thermosets
Types
• Laminates
• Composites
• Polyurethanes
The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 6
The International Association of Plastics Distributors
Thermoset Laminates
• Phenolics
• Epoxies
• Melamines
• Silicones
• Polyesters
• Composites
The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 6
The International Association of Plastics Distributors
Laminates
Key Characteristics
• Corrosion resistant
• Good insulating characteristics at low temperatures
• Good machinability
The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 6
The International Association of Plastics Distributors
Laminates
Process Resin Binder
Reinforcing Substrate
Heat and pressure applied to the
top and bottom of the material.
The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 6
The International Association of Plastics Distributors
Laminates
Types
• Paper based
• Cotton based
• Glass based
• Synthetic fabric based
The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 6
The International Association of Plastics Distributors
Phenolic Laminates
Strengths
• High degree of resistance to deforming under
load
• Can withstand 149°C/300°F continuously
• One of the hardest plastics available
• Cross-linked phenolics are very resistant to
compressive loads
The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 6
The International Association of Plastics Distributors
Phenolic Laminates
Limitations
• Brittleness
• Impact resistance
• Moisture resistance is limited
• Resins darken when exposed to heat and ultra
violet light
The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 6
The International Association of Plastics Distributors
Phenolic Laminates
Types
• Paper based
– Grades X, XX, XXX, XP,
XXP, XXXP, XPC, XXPC
and XXXPC
• Cotton based
– Grades C, CE, CYB, L, LE,
LYB, LM
The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 6
The International Association of Plastics Distributors
Phenolic Laminates
Applications
• Wiring devices
• Switch gear
• Circuit breakers
• Insulators
• Gears
• Wear guides
• Pulleys
• Rollers
The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 6
The International Association of Plastics Distributors
Epoxy Laminates
Strengths
• Offer virtually no water absorption
• Good insulating and electrical properties
• Excellent dimensional stability
• Good temperature and chemical resistance
The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 6
The International Association of Plastics Distributors
Epoxy Laminates
Limitations
• Brittle
• Poor UV resistance
• Poor weathering resistance
The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 6
The International Association of Plastics Distributors
Epoxy Laminates
Types
• G-10
• FR-4
• G-11
• FR-5
The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 6
The International Association of Plastics Distributors
Epoxy Laminates
Applications
• Electrical insulators
• Circuit board backing
• Construction
• Aviation/aerospace
The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 6
The International Association of Plastics Distributors
Melamine Laminates
Strengths
• Made from melamine and formaldehyde resins
• Usually used as a laminate with cloth
• Easily produced in an unlimited range of colors
• Good electrical properties under humid conditions
• Excellent arc-tracking resistance
• Excellent compressive strength
• Good physical properties
• Very good solvent resistance
• Can withstand temperatures of 204°C/400°F
• Good chemical and weather resistance
• Strong mechanical properties
The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 6
The International Association of Plastics Distributors
Melamine Laminates
Limitations
• Can be attacked by strong acids
• Brittleness
• Poor resistance to organic solvents
• Difficult to bond
• High cost
The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 6
The International Association of Plastics Distributors
Melamine Laminates
Types
• G-5
• G-9
The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 6
The International Association of Plastics Distributors
Melamine Laminates
Applications
• Welding rod holders
• Heavy duty switch gears
• High temperature switches
• Electrical insulators
The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 6
The International Association of Plastics Distributors
Silicone Laminates
Strengths
• Retain properties over a wide temperature
range
• Remain flexible down to negative 16ºC/60ºF
• High degree of biocompatibility
The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 6
The International Association of Plastics Distributors
Silicone Laminates
Limitations
• Tensile strength low
• Abrasion resistance low
• Swell in oils, fuels and other solvents
The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 6
The International Association of Plastics Distributors
Silicone Laminates
Type
• G-7 (glass cloth reinforced silicone)
The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 6
The International Association of Plastics Distributors
Silicone Laminates
Applications
• Sealants
• Gaskets
• Medical
The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 6
The International Association of Plastics Distributors
Polyester Laminates
Strengths
• Low cost
• Good arc and track resistance
The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 6
The International Association of Plastics Distributors
Polyester Laminates
Limitations
• Lower abrasion resistance
• Brittle
• Great change to electrical properties in humid
environments
The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 6
The International Association of Plastics Distributors
Polyester Laminates
Types
• GPO-1
• GPO-2
• GPO-3
The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 6
The International Association of Plastics Distributors
Polyester Laminates
Applications
• Structural profiles
• Sodering pallets
The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 6
The International Association of Plastics Distributors
Composites - Thermosetting Matrix
• History
• Definition
The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 6
The International Association of Plastics Distributors
Composites
Materials
• Polyester and vinyl esters
• Epoxy
• Bismaleimides (BMI)
• Polyimides
• Polyureas
– Cyanate ester and phenolic triazine (PT)
The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 6
The International Association of Plastics Distributors
Polyurethane (PUR)
Strengths
• Good abrasion resistance
• Good toughness
• Very high tear resistance
• High load bearing ability
• High impact resistance
• Good elastomeric memory
The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 6
The International Association of Plastics Distributors
Polyurethane
Limitations
• Hot water limitation 82°C/180°F
• Poor chemical resistance to strong acids,
bases and certain solvents
The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 6
The International Association of Plastics Distributors
Polyurethane and the
Environment
• TDI
• MDI
• Processes
The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 6
The International Association of Plastics Distributors
Polyurethane
Hardness Chart
The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 6
The International Association of Plastics Distributors
Polyurethane
Applications
• Automotive
• Building and construction
• Furniture and mattresses
• Insulation for refrigerators, shipping
containers, tanks, pipes
The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 6
The International Association of Plastics Distributors
Polyurethane Urethane
Types
• Polyether
• Polyester
The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 6
The International Association of Plastics Distributors
Polyether Urethane
Strengths
• Better water resistance
• Better dynamic properties
• Better low temperature properties
The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 6
The International Association of Plastics Distributors
Polyether Urethane
Limitations
• Lower abrasion resistance than polyesters
• Stiffer material than polyesters
• More likely to tear
The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 6
The International Association of Plastics Distributors
Polyether Urethane
Applications
• Bushings
• Idler rollers
• Printing machine rolls
• Hydraulic seals
• Elevator wheels
• Paper mill rolls
The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 6
The International Association of Plastics Distributors
Polyester Urethane
Strengths
• Higher physical properties
• Generally softer than polyether
• Stronger cut and tear resistance
• Better oil and heat aging resistance
• Meets FDA requirements for wet food
applications
The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 6
The International Association of Plastics Distributors
Polyester Urethane
Limitations
• Poor resistance to hydrolysis (moisture
absorption)
• Less resilient than polyethers
• Poor low temperature performance
The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 6
The International Association of Plastics Distributors
Polyester Urethane
Applications
• Cutter bars on printing machines
• Wear pads
• Tumbler liners
• Squeegees
• Office equipment rollers
The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 6
The International Association of Plastics Distributors
Polyurethane's Product Range
Comparisons to Other Materials
The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 6
The International Association of Plastics Distributors
The End
The IAPD Plastics Primer, Module 6