Overview of thermosets: structure, properties and processing for advanced applications

Abstract

This chapter provides a background of thermosetting polymers analyzing network formation by step-growth, chain-growth and controlled polymerization, the occurrence of gelation and vitrification, and the use of transformation diagrams. Innovations on chemistries and formulations are discussed, motivated by improvements in properties and processing but also the adaptation to new regulations and the need of recycling. General rules for thermoset processing are analyzed considering pot-life, processing window and manufacturing methods involving low energy consumption and enabling rapid processing. A brief survey of advanced materials based on thermosets with specific properties such as self-healing or shape memory, is provided.