Thermosetting Plastics

Question 1

What are thermosetting plastics?

Answer 1

Thermosetting plastics undergo a chemical reaction resulting in them becoming permanently rigid, this can be seen in their rigid cross links, which prevent them being reheated and reshaped.

Question 2

What are some common characteristics that all thermosetting plastics have?

Answer 2

Most thermoset plastics have very little plasticity, meaning they are very rigid

Question 3

What are the characteristics and common uses of epoxy resins?

Answer 3

• High strength when reinforced with fibres (GRP-glass reinforced plastic), good chemical and wear resistance
• Surface coating, encapsulation of electronic components, adhesives

Question 4

What are the characteristics and common uses of melamine formaldehyde?

Answer 4

• Rigid, good strength and hardness, scratch resistant, can be coloured
• Tableware, decorative laminates for work surfaces

Question 5

What are the characteristics and common uses of polyester resins?

Answer 5

• Rigid, brittle, good heat and chemical resistance

- Casting, used in glass re-enforced plastic

Question 6

What are the characteristics and common uses of urea formaldehyde?

Answer 6

-Rigid, hard, good strength, brittle, heat resistant, good electrical insulator

Question 7

How is GRP made?

Answer 7

Polyester can be used in combination with a catalyst and glass fibres to create GRP.

Question 8

What are some examples of (non-polymer thermosetting materials)?

Answer 8

• clay once fired at a high temperature it cannot be reheated and cannot can back its original form.
• In concrete once the chemical reaction between the constituent parts has taken place and the product has dried out, then it cannot be remixed/reshaped.