High Performance Thermoset Materials
Engineered to Meet Challenging Production Requirements
NEW
Glossary
A
A-Stage
An early stage in the reaction of certain thermosetting resins in which the material is fusible and still soluble in certain liquids.
Adhesive
A substance capable of holding materials together by surface attachment. Note: Adhesive is the general term and includes, among others, cement, glue, mucilage and paste. All of these terms are loosely used interchangeably.
Aggregate
A hard fragmented material used with an epoxy binder as a flooring or surfacing medium. Also a coarse filler used as a core for epoxy tools.
Aging
The change of a material with time under defined environmental conditions, leading to improvement or deterioration of properties.
Amine
Curing agent for epoxy resins that is any of a class of ammonia (NH3) derivatives.
Artificial Weathering - The exposure of product to cyclic laboratory conditions involving changes in temperature, relative humidity, and ultraviolet radiant energy, with or without direct water spray, in an attempt to produce changes in the material similar to those observed after continuous outdoor exposure. Note: The laboratory exposure conditions are usually intensified beyond those encountered in actual outdoor exposure in an attempt to achieve an accelerated effect.
ASTM
American Society for Testing Materials.
Adhesive Failure
The failure at the bond line between substrates and an adhesive; the adhesive separating entirely from the substrate.
B
B-Stage
An intermediate stage in the reaction of certain thermosetting resins in which the material softens when heated and swells when in contact with certain liquids, but may not entirely fuse or dissolve. The resin in partially cured thermosetting system is usually in this stage.
Baking Temperature
A temperature above 150°F (65.6°C). Refers to curing materials at elevated temperatures.
Bonding
The union of materials by adhesives.
Bond Strength
The unit load applied in tension, compression, flexure, peel, impact, cleavage, or shear, required to break an adhesive assembly with failure occurring in or near the plane of the bond. Note: The term adherence is frequently used in place of bond strength.
Brookfield Viscometer
An instrument for measuring the viscosity of formulated adhesives under standard conditions of temperature.
Bubble
Internal void or a trapped globule of air or other gas.
C
C-Stage
The final stage in the reaction of certain thermosetting resins in which the material is relatively insoluble and infusible. Certain thermosetting resins in a fully cured state are in this stage.
Calorie
A thermal unit. A calorie is that amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one gram of water one degree centigrade.
Catalyst
A substance which markedly speeds up the cure of a relative material when added in minor quantity as compared to the amounts of the primary reactants.
Centigrade
A scale of temperature which features 0° and 100° as the freezing and boiling point of water respectively. To convert Centigrade to Fahrenheit, multiply by 1.8 and add 32, e.g., (100° x 1.8) + 32 = 212°F.
Centipoise
1/100th of a poise; (dyne-sec/cm2); a viscosity measurement unit.
Chalking
Formation of a dry powdery chalk-like appearance or deposit on the surface of a material. It is due to a breaking down of the material after being exposed to ultraviolet light or weathering.
Clarity
Degree of clearness in a transparent material.
Coefficient Of Linear Thermal Expansion
Once cured, a measure of the change in length of a material over a given temperature range. It is expressed in inches per inch per degree C. ASTM D696-44.
Coefficient Of Thermal Expansion (CTE)
Change in a unit of length or volume that accompanies a unit change in temperature.
Cohesion
The state in which the particles of a single substance are held together by primary or secondary valence forces observed in the tendency of the substance to stick to itself. As used in the adhesive field, the state in which the particles of the adhesive (or the adhered) are held together.
Compressive Strength
Crushing load at the failure of a specimen divided by the original sectional area of the specimen. The maximum load in pounds that can be carried per square inch of cross section of the material under test.
Compressive Strength, Ultimate
The maximum load in pounds that can be carried per square inch of cross section of the material under test.
Conductive
Having the quality or power of conducting or transmitting heat, electricity, or static electricity.
Conductivity
Reciprocal of volume resistivity. Conductance of a unit cube of any material.
Cross-Link
Tying together large molecules and hence changing the physical properties of material. Cross-linking usually involves formation of three dimensional molecular network and is customarily associated with thermosetting resins.
Cure
To change the physical properties of a thermosetting material by chemical reaction through polymerization, usually accomplished in the presence of heat and catalyst, alone or in combination.
Cure Cycle
The schedule of time periods at specified temperatures to which a reacting thermosetting plastic or rubber composition is subjected in order to reach certain specified properties.
Curing Agent
A catalytic or reactive agent which when added to resin causes polymerization.
Cohesive Failure
Failure within the adhesive under a stress, resulting in a broken bond with all adhered surfaces still covered with adhesive.
Curing Temperature
The temperature to which an adhesive or an assembly is subjected to cure the adhesive. Note: The temperature attained by the adhesive in the process of setting may differ from the temperature of the atmosphere surrounding the assembly.
Curing Time
The period of time during which an assembly or part may be subjected to heat or pressure, to cure a thermosetting plastic. It is the time between the addition of curing agent to the resinand completed polymerization.
D
Density
The ratio of a substance’s mass to its volume at a given temperature and pressure. Example: water at 25°C, 1 atmosphere of pressure = 1.0 gr/cm3 = 8.35 lb. per gallon.
Dielectric Strength
The voltage which an insulating material can withstand before breakdown occurs, expressed in volts per mil.
Dielectric Strength
The voltage which an insulating material can withstand before breakdown occurs, expressed in volts per mil.
Diluent
A reactive or non-reactive additive whose primary function is to lower the viscosity and extend the material to which it was added.
Dispensing Supplies
Medium used to apply liquid materials. Squeeze bottles, syringes, needles, and meter mix equipment are all examples.
Discoloration
Any change from an initial color possessed by a material, either due to environmental or internal conditions.
Domed
Term often used when clear "epoxy domes" are applied to labels, pins, magnets, key tags, etc.
E
Elasticity
That property of materials by virtue of which they tend to recover their original size and shape after deformation. Note: if the strain is proportional to the applied stress, the material is said to exhibit Hookean or ideal elasticity.
Elastomer
A material which at room temperature can be stretched repeatedly to at least twice its original length and, upon immediate release of the stress, will return with force to its approximate original length.
Elongation (%)
Ability of a material to stretch or become longer.
Encapsulation
Used interchangeably with POTTING. Refers to the enclosure of an item in a substance. Sometimes used specifically in reference to the enclosure of capacitors or modules.
Evacuation
The removal of entrained air from a liquid system by vacuum. Also referred to as degassing.
Exotherm
The liberation of heat energy during a chemical reaction. Exotherm is increased in large masses.
Extender
An available or relatively inexpensive compatible material which can be added to a more valuable substance so as to increase the amount of material in useful form.
F
Failure, Adhesive
The failure at the bond line between substrates and an adhesive; the adhesive separating entirely from the substrate.
Failure, Cohesive
Failure within the adhesive under a stress, resulting in a broken bond with all adhered surfaces still covered with adhesive.
Failure, Substrate
The failure of the substrate material itself, upon subjecting bonded adhered surfaces to a stress.
Filler
A substance, often inert, added to a system to improve properties and/or decrease cost.
Fisheye
Small globular mass which has not blended completely into the surrounding material and is particularly evident in a transparent or translucent material.
Flame Retardance
The ability of a material to resist combustion or burning. Some materials tend to extinguish themselves when subjected to a flame. Such materials are classified as self-extinguishing. ASTM D790-63.
Flash Point
The temperature at which the material gives off flammable vapor in sufficient quantity to ignite momentarily on the application of a flame under specified conditions.
Flexural Modulus
The ratio, within the elastic limit, of flexural stress to the corresponding strain. It is expressed in pounds per square inch. ASTM D790-63.
Flexural Strength
Ability of a material to withstand failure due to bending.
Forced Drying Temperatures
A temperature between room temperature and 150°F (65°C).
Fusible
Capable of being melted or fused together by melting.
G
Gallon, U.S.
A volume equal to 231 cubic inches measured at 77°F (25°C).
Gardner Color Scale
system of color standards based upon stable solutions of ferric chloride used in the evaluation of resins, lacquers, oils and varnishes. The Gardner Scale can be correlated roughly with other color standards such as FAC, ASTM, NPA and Lovibond.
Gel
The initial jelly-like solid phase that develops during the transition from a liquid to a solid. Note: In this state an epoxy is soft, flexible, and has no strength.
Glass Transition Temperature (Tg)
Approximate midpoint of the temperature range over which a material undergoes a phase change from brittle to rubbery or vice versa.
Gloss
That property of a material which causes it to reflect light.
H
Hardener
A substance or mixture of substances added to a reactive resin to promote or control the curing reaction by taking part in it.
Heat Distortion (Deflection) Temperature
The temperature at which a material softens enough to distort under a given load. It is not usually considered to be beyond the maximum usable temperature, but is an indication of the maximum usable temperature when the material is load bearing at a given load. As the load decreases, the maximum usable temperature will increase.
Heat Sink
Any device that absorbs and draws off heat from a hot object, thereby neutralizing the extreme temperature.
Humidity (Absolute)
The amount of moisture present in the atmosphere expressed in grams per cubic meter.
Humidity (Relative)
The ratio of the amount of moisture contained in the atmosphere to the amount of moisture that can be carried in the atmosphere at a given temperature. Relative humidity is expressed in percent, e.g., 75% R.H. at a given temperature means that the air is 75% saturated with moisture.
Hygroscopic
A property of absorbing and holding moisture.
I
Impregnate
To fill the voids and spaces of an electrical unit with an insulating compound.
Insulation Resistance
The ratio of the direct voltage applied to electrodes in contact with an epoxy system to the total current between them. It is dependent upon both the volume and surface resistance of the epoxy systems. ASTM D257-61
Intermittent Operating or Service Temperature
The temperature to which the epoxy system can be subjected for short periods of time without degradation of its properties.
Izod Impact Strength
A measure of the brittleness of a material. Brittle materials will have low izod impact values (.15 for example). Tough materials will have high izod impact strengths (.60 for example).
M
Maximum Service Temperature
Highest recommended continuous use temperature based upon thermal endurance and historical data.
Modifier
An ingredient added to a formulation that changes its properties.
Moisture Resistance
Having some resistance to high humidity. A moisture resistant adhesive will not be easily affected by moisture. Will not easily change its chemical and physical properties due to moisture. Should not be confused with "waterproof."
O
OHM Unit
Unit of electrical resistance. Resistance of a circuit in which a potential difference of one volt produces a current of one ampere.
Opaque
Any material is opaque if no light can be transmitted through it.
Operating or Service Temperature
The temperature at which an epoxy system can operate continuously without degradation of its properties.
Orange-Peel
Uneven surface somewhat resembling an orange peel.
P
Pigment
The fine solid particle, usually inorganic, used in the preparation of colored products, and substantially insoluble in the vehicle. In contrast, a dye is soluble.
Pit
Small regular or irregular crater in a surface, usually with its width approximately of the same order of magnitude as its depth.
Pot Life
The length of working time of a two component reactive system from the time of the addition of the curing agent in a specific mass (i.e. 100 grams).
Potting
Similar to encapsulating, except that steps are taken to insure complete penetration of all the voids in the object before the resin polymerizes.
P.S.I.
Pounds per square inch; a unit measure of pressure.
R
Resistivity
The ability of a material to resist passage of electrical current either through its bulk or on a surface. The unit of volume resistivity is the ohm-cm; of surface resistivity, the ohm.
S
Set
To convert a thermosetting material into a fixed or hardened state by chemical or physical action through polymerization.
Shear Strength
The shear force required to break a specimen divided by its cross-sectional area; the force being applied parallel to the cross-sectional area.
Shore A Hardness
The measuring of a material's hardness on a durometer, the scale of which is 0-100; used on elastomers and other flexible materials. A Shore A reading of 80 equals a Shore D reading of 30.
Shore D Hardness
The measuring of a material's hardness on a durometer with a scale of 0-100, used on rigid and semi-rigid materials.
Shrinkage
The decrease in volume, or contraction, of a material by the escape of any volatile substance, or by a chemical or physical change in the material.
Softening Range
The range of temperature in which a thermoplastic changes from a rigid to a soft state.
Specific Gravity
The ratio of the weight of any volume of a mass or substance to the weight of an equal volume of water at given temperature. The specific gravity of a substance times the density of water equals the density of the substance.
Storage Life
The period of time during which a packaged material can be stored under specific temperature conditions and remain stable for use. Sometimes called shelf life.
Stress
An applied force or pressure, as tension or shear, exerted on a body which produces a resultant strain on the material. The ability of material to withstand a stress depends on the strength of its cohesive force or molecular resistance.
Stripper
A compound used to remove undesirable foreign material from a surface. Such compounds should possess good penetration, rinse freely and not attack the substrate.
Stripping
The removal of undesirable substance from a surface by abrasive or chemical action.
Substrate
A material upon the surface of which an adhesive is spread for any purpose, such as bonding or coating.
Surface Resistivity
The resistance to a current flow along the surface of an insulator material. Measure in ohms-cm.
Surface Tension
The property of a liquid which causes the surface to pull into the smallest area for a maximum volume, hence, drops are spherical. The fact that water drops on a wax surface do not spread out is due to surface tension. If a wetting agent were to be added to the water, the round droplet would spread out into a film because of the lowered surface tension.
Substrate Failure
The failure of the substrate material itself, upon subjecting bonded adhered surfaces to a stress.
Surface Waviness
Wave-like unevenness, or out-of-plane in a surface.
T
Temperature, Curing
The temperature to which an adhesive or an assembly is subjected to cure the adhesive. Note: The temperature attained by the adhesive in the process of setting may differ from the temperature of the atmosphere surrounding the assembly.
Tensile Strength
The pulling force necessary to break a given specimen, divided by the cross sectional area. Units given in lbs./in/2 (P.S.I.). It measures the resistance of a material to stretching without rupture.
Thermal Conductivity
A measure of how rapidly heat is conducted through a material.
Thermal Shock Resistance
The ability of a cured system to resist cracking or crazing under conditions of rapid and continuous thermal change. The 1/4 inch Olyphant Washer test is cycled over a temperature range of -55°C to +125°C; this temperature range is normally used as the test condition unless otherwise stated.
Thermosetting
Describes the property of plural component material to set or become rigid and non-meltable when heated with or without pressure.
Thixotropy
False body. The property of a paste or fluid to thicken or set up to a paste or semi-gel when allowed to stand. Agitation breaks it down but further standing will again permit a viscosity rise.
V
Viscosity
1 cps = Water
400 cps = #10 Motor Oil
1,000 cps = Castor Oil
25,000 cps = Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup
Volume Resistivity
The ratio of the electrical resistance through a cross section, divided by the length through which the current flows. Measured in ohms-cm.
Volume Shrinkage (%)
Amount of dimensional change during cure.
W
Water Absorption (%)
Percentage by weight water absorbed by material in a given period of time.
Waviness, Surface
Wave-like unevenness, or out-of-plane in a surface.
Wetting
The thorough impregnation of a material by a liquid. The more viscous a fluid, and the higher its surface tension, the more difficult it is for the liquid to "wet" materials. Certain additives, water softeners, for example reduce surface tension or viscosity, and improve wetting properties, allowing the material to flow out more.
Working Life
The period of time during which a plural component material, after mixing with a curing agent, remains workable and suitable for use.
Y
Yield Strength
The load in pounds per square inch, where the material under test begins to change dimensions and will not completely recover when the load is removed. Yield strength will normally be lower than ultimate strength. Generally speaking, the more rigid a material is, the closer will be yield and ultimate strengths. Furthermore, the more resilient a material is, the greater the spread between yield and ultimate strengths.
U
Ultimate Compressive Strength
The maximum load in pounds that can be carried per square inch of cross section of the material under test.
Browse Anchor-Seal’s commonly use terms listed below that relate to our high performance thermoset materials, or search for a term by letter to read a definition: