Thermosetting compression moulding is a plastic moulding process that involves the shaping of thermosetting plastics into desired shapes and sizes under heat and pressure. This process is widely used in the manufacturing industry due to its versatility and the unique properties of the resulting products.
The Process
The thermosetting compression moulding process begins with the selection of the appropriate thermosetting plastic material. These materials, unlike thermoplastics, undergo a chemical change when heated, making them suitable for compression moulding. The plastic material is then placed into a preheated mould, which is specifically designed to impart the desired shape to the plastic. Once the material is in the mould, high pressure is applied to ensure that the plastic fills the cavities of the mould uniformly. This pressure is maintained throughout the heating process, which triggers the curing or setting of the plastic. The heat and pressure are carefully controlled to ensure that the plastic cures completely and attains the desired mechanical properties.