Thermosetting plastics

thumb|Ester group (blue) which defines polyesters. This diagram shows just one ester linkage per repeat unit. Polyester is a category of polymers that contain one or two ester linkages in every repeat unit of their main chain. As a specific material, it most commonly refers to a type called polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Polyesters include some naturally occurring chemicals, such as those found in plants and insects. Natural polyesters and a few synthetic ones are biodegradable, but most synthetic polyesters are not. Synthetic polyesters are used extensively in clothing.

thumb|Silicone caulk can be used as a basic sealant against water and air penetration.

Bakelite ( ), formally '''''', is a thermosetting phenol formaldehyde resin, formed from a condensation reaction of phenol with formaldehyde. The first plastic made from synthetic components, it was developed by Belgian chemist Leo Baekeland in Yonkers, New York, in 1907, and patented on December 7, 1909.

thumb|A syringe of "5-minute" epoxy glue, containing separate compartments for the epoxy resin and the hardener thumb|Structure of the epoxide group, a reactive functional group present in all epoxy resins

polymer material that irreversibly cures to a solid

synthetic resin made by copolymerizing phenol and formaldehyde

thumb|right|Chemical structure of Kapton, a polyimide. Polyimide (sometimes abbreviated PI) is a polymer containing imide groups belonging to the class of high-performance plastics. With their high heat-resistance, polyimides enjoy diverse applications in roles demanding rugged organic materials, such as high temperature fuel cells, displays, and various military roles. A classic polyimide is Kapton, which is produced by condensation of pyromellitic dianhydride and 4,4'-oxydianiline.

Urea-formaldehyde (UF), also known as urea-methanal, so named for its common synthesis pathway and overall structure, is a nontransparent thermosetting polymer. It is produced from urea and formaldehyde. These resins are used in adhesives, plywood, particle board, medium-density fibreboard (MDF), and molded objects. In agriculture, urea-formaldehyde compounds are one of the most commonly used types of slow-release fertilizer.

Duroplast is a composite thermosetting resin plastic developed by engineer Wolfgang Barthel in 1953 in the German Democratic Republic. Its production method places it in a similar family as Formica and Bakelite. It is reinforced with fibers (typically waste fabrics from the garment industry) making it a fiber-reinforced plastic similar to fiberglass.

synthetic resin produced by the esterification of an epoxy resin with acrylic or methacrylic acids

resin based on melamine and formaldehyde that forms a hard thermoset plastic

thumb|The generalised chemical structure of polyisocyanurate showing the isocyanurate group. The polyols are abbreviated as Substituent|R-groups.

thumb|300 px|Segment of novolak, illustrating the predominance of cresol subunits and presence of Cross-link|crosslinking. Novolaks (sometimes: novolacs) are low molecular weight polymers derived from phenols and formaldehyde. They are related to Bakelite, which is more highly crosslinked. The term comes from Swedish "lack" for lacquer and Latin "novo" for new, since these materials were envisioned to replace natural lacquers such as copal resin.

Araldite is a registered trademark of Huntsman Advanced Materials (previously part of Ciba-Geigy) referring to their range of engineering and structural epoxy, acrylic, and polyurethane adhesives. Swiss manufacturers originally launched Araldite DIY adhesive products in 1946. The first batches of Araldite epoxy resins, for which the brand is best known, were made in Duxford, England in 1950.

American physicist and chemist (1909-1985)