Overview
The most simple definition of a polymer is something made of many units. Think of a polymer as a chain. Each link of the
chain is the "mer" or basic unit that is made of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and/or silicon. To make the chain, many links or "mers" are hooked or polymerized together Thermosets (or DUROPLASTICS in German), undergo
chemical change while they are being formed.
They react by polycondensation and cross-linking to form a three-dimensional lattice.This process is called curing and involves a structural change of the molecules that is irreversible. Once a thermoset has achieved its final shape, it cannot be reformed.
Examples of thermosets are polyester, epoxies, polyurethanes, silicones (also phenolic resins,melamines and urea resins).
These will be discussed together with a shortdescription of their uses in this Catalogue/booklet
