Thermoset Composites Remain a Popular Solution

Thermoset plastics, originally created in the early 20 th century, continue to provide solutions to a variety of engineering problems thanks to their strength, durability, resistance to heat and corrosion and other attributes. This miracle composite has helped make possible many modern conveniences and will likely continue to contribute to technological and industrial development for decades to come. Leo Bakeland, often regarded as the father of the modern plastics industry, developed thermoset plastic around 1 0! as he was e"perimenting with the polymeri#ation of phenolic resins. $n the course of Bakeland%s work, he added formaldehyde and heat to these resins, creating a chemical cross linkage that resulted in this dynamic and useful form of plastics. Later developments added cotton and paper materials and hydraulic pressing to the process creating reinforced these plastics called industrial laminates. Thermoset plastic resembles a plastic version of concrete in some ways, as once they are cured& they set like concrete and can%t be melted or softened with heat as can most thermoplastics. The setting or cross'linking of thermosets along with reinforcements such as fiberglass, carbon and other fibers provides them with a number of advantages. These plastics are lightweight but very strong, providing good replacements for steel and other metals to lessen weight of the end structure. They provide good insulation from heat and electricity, they are resistant to moisture and corrosion, and they are highly durable. This form of plastic is available from manufacturers in thermoset composite sheet, rod, tube and angle forms. These materials are certified to ()*+' (ational )lectrical *anufacturer%s +ssociation' and by military specification *$L'$'2,-!.. Thermosets come in several grades including/

)po"y'fiberglass fabric' 0ommonly recogni#ed as 110, 23,, 111 and 234 are known for e"cellent mechanical strength and resistance to moisture

*elamine'fiberglass fabric' 14 5 1 good arc resistance.

which are the hardest type of

themoset laminates, is commonly used electrical assemblies that need 6ilicone'fiberglass fabric'1- has the highest heat resistance of the thermoset composites. $t is used in electronic and mechanical applications where high temperatures will be present. 7olyester' fiberglass matt grade'1789 5 1789/ These plastics offer some economic advantages over the woven fiberglass grades and are widely used in electrical applications such as circuit breakers or electrical switchgear. 7henolic paper grades' :: 5 :::. This form of thermosets has a broad variety of applications in a number of industries where the strength of the fiberglass laminates is not needed. 7henolic cotton grades 0, 0), L, 5 L). These grades of thermosets are useful for making numerous mechanical parts across many industries. They offer various levels of electrical insulation and humidity resistance levels. The various forms of thermoset laminates provide many industries with the solutions they need for a strong, heat and electricity'resistant material that is durable, has good longevity and may be machined to shapes fitting the application. 3esearch and development into these materials continues and the market for these plastics remains strong, with growth being driven by energy, aerospace, construction and electronic applications. To learn more visit us at http/;;www.acculam.com.