Thermoplastics and thermosets both harden when heated and cooled, but thermosets cannot be melted and reformed. They are generally non-recyclable but have advantages such as strength and durability. Curing processes, such as vulcanization, create different types of materials, including vulcanized rubber and epoxy resin, which is versatile and used in various industries.
Thermoplastics are materials that take a hardened form after being heated and allowed to cool. When these materials are heated again, they generally convert to liquids and can be reformed. Thermosets also take on a hardened form after being heated and allowed to cool. One major difference is that thermosets cannot be melted and reformed. There are many types of thermosets, such as vulcanized rubber and epoxy resin.
Some materials, such as thermoplastics, can be found in forms that can be changed with heat. A simplified way to create a contrast is to view those elements as many molecules that have been fused together but whose bonds can be released upon heating. With thermosets, on the other hand, when the materials are heated, the molecules fuse irreversibly. Heating will not release the bonds. Instead, heating is more likely to destroy the materials.
For this reason, thermoset materials are generally considered non-recyclable. For many people, this is a serious disadvantage. There are many factors to thermosets, however, that can be seen as advantages. This includes their strength and durability.
Before thermosets are made, the materials are often in liquid form or another form that makes them susceptible to molding. The process these materials go through to create the finished shape is known as curing. There are different types of polymerization processes. Everyone tends to produce different types of materials.
One curing process is vulcanization, which is used to make vulcanized rubber for products such as tires, bowling balls, and tubing. There are several methods of vulcanization, but overall they are all generally considered irreversible processes. Manufactured rubber tends to differ from natural rubber in several ways. It is less sticky, heat resistant and more capable of holding the desired shape.
Some thermosets are produced when an epoxide, such as epichlorohydrin, is mixed with a hardener, such as bisphenol-A. Completing such a curing process can lead to epoxies. These materials are considered to be very versatile because most of their characteristics can be altered by making changes during the process. Epoxies tend to have excellent heat and chemical resistance.
Epoxy resins are used in numerous industries. Artists use the material as a painting medium. In the field of electronics, epoxy resin is used to produce circuit boards and transistors. It is also used by many as an adhesive.
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