Thermoset Composite Components

A High Quality & Low Cost Alternative

Thermosets are not "plastic" in the common sense of the word. They are heavier, have a strong "feel," have hard, glossy, scratch resistant surfaces and offer value for money as an alternative to other materials.
Thermosets are typically used to manufacture consumer durables such as cooking/kitchenware appliances as well as components for the electrical, mining, transport, building and telecommunication industries.

Qualities

- Low cost compared to high performance thermoplastics
- High & long-term heat resistance and high heat distortion temperatures
- Abrasion resistant even with high gloss surfaces
- Low mould shrinkage which permits thin and thick sections together in one part
- Thermosets do not melt
- Excellent dimensional stability
- Perfect for electrical insulation

Produced in the USA, these one piece phenolic/glass composite torque converter reactors proved better in service and were cheaper to make than the multi-part, fabricated metal components they replaced.

Advantages Over Metal

- Freedom of design & construction: The ability to integrate components with different functions into one part.
- No corrosion: Finishing, polishing, andosing, plating, galvanising, and multi-coat painting are eliminated.
- Close dimensional tolerance: Major dimensional tolerances on the moulded parts are met with precision and without the need of machining.
- Longer mould life: Moulds for processing thermosets have a longer life than moulds for light metal die-casting manufacture.

Compress moulded composate grate
This load bearing drain grate is compression moulded from DMC. The benefits over traditional materials such as cast iron include corrosion resistance and ease of handling since is weighs only 25% of the metal version.

Advantages Over Engineering Thermoplastics

- Dimensional stability: High level of dimensional stability under exposure to pressure and temperature.
- High stiffness (or modulus of elasticity)
- Low flammability: Achieved at low cost and without the use of environmentally harmful halogens.