Thermosets often fall into the performance region between common thermoplastics and metals. Thermosets are polymer materials that cure, through addition of energy (heat, a chemical reaction or irradiation), to a stronger form. The curing process transforms the material by a cross-linking process, which links the molecular chains into a rigid 3-D structure. The cross-linking process forms a molecule with a larger molecular weight, resulting in a material with a higher melting point. Once a thermoset material is cured it cannot be melted and re-shaped. Thermoset materials are generally stronger than thermoplastic materials due to this 3-D network of bonds and are also better suited to high temperature applications.

• Advantages/Strengths
• Thermoset vs. Thermoplastic
• Thermoset vs. Metal
• Compression Molding
• Injection Molding