There are 2 major families of plastic materials: thermoplastics and thermosetting materials.
In a solid state, at normal temperatures, they melt, beginning to lose their mechanical properties at temperatures of more than around 120°C. This phenomenon is reversible. All SOFTERFIX™ insert designs are well suited to these materials. Thermoplastics subdivide into 2 categories, with reference to their internal molecular arrangements: amorphous, and semi-crystalline.
The molecular structure of amorphous polymers is randomly arranged, and is characterized by a wide temperature range within which it gradually softens, as the temperature increases.
Conversely, the molecular structure and narrow fusion interval of the semi-crystalline polymers enables a rapid transition from the solid or mushy state to the fluid state, through increase to the temperature. Their operating temperature is higher than that of amorphous polymers.
A wide range of charges and plasticizers are used to obtain desired characteristics, such as:
Each of these characteristics has an influence on the installation and implementation of the inserts.
These take their definitive (and irreversible) shape after the chemical reaction (polymerisation) which accompanies their transformation. The three-dimensional network obtained gives the finished product its character of thermal irreversibility. The structure created with a thermosetting resin cannot vary and is geometrically frozen - thus conferring mechanical and high temperature resistance properties to it. Heat or ultrasonic-mounted inserts are not suitable for these materials.