Thermoset plastics advantages

One of the most desirable aspects of plastics and composites is the ability to make net-shaped parts. The same process that creates the material also creates the structure. The penalty for this advantage is that the process of curing a thermosetting plastic or composite part is irreversible. Any part that is not properly processed represents a loss of part, material and the money and time required to make that part, although larger parts are usually repaired if possible. Proper shape becomes a controlled property in addition to the bulk material properties, such as mechanical (stiffness or strength), physical (density, void content, etc.), chemical (degree of cure or carbonization, chemical resistance), electrical (resistivity, conductivity), or any combination of these. 

There is a very wide range of chemical types within this group of non-porous materials. As with some of the synthetic adhesives mentioned in the previous chapter a division into thermoplastics and thermosetting plastics is advantageous. 

For over a century plastics have successfully competed with other materials in old and new applications providing cost-performance advantages, etc. In fact within the plastic industry there is extensive competition where one plastic competes with another plastic. Examples include many such as thermoplastic elastomers vs. thermoset... 

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