Thermosetting plastics , adhesives silicone resins

This chapter will deal with the chemistry and applications of epoxies, phenolics, urethanes, and a variety of current vogue high-temperature polymers. Applications in fiber-reinforced plastics will be discussed in the individual sections on resin chemistry where appropriate. Separate sections will deal with adhesives and sealants. Adhesives are most important because, as early history demonstrates, they led the way to the application of resins in aerospace. A section is also included on silicone and polysulfide sealants. Although these materials are elastomers rather than resins, no discussion of aerospace polymers would be complete without some mention. Some major thermosetting polymers have been omitted from this review. Among these are the unsaturated polyesters, melamines, ureas, and the vinyl esters. Although these products do find their way into aerospace applications, the uses are so small that a detailed discussion is not warranted. 

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