synthetic resin
Quick Summary
A resin is a natural or synthetic organic compound that is viscous or noncrystalline. Natural resins, typically from plant secretions, are yellowish to brown, fusible, flammable, and soluble in organic liquids but not water. Synthetic resins share some physical properties with natural ones but differ chemically and are not strictly distinct from plastics.1
Synthetic resins are broadly categorized into two types:
* Thermoplastic resins: These remain plastic after heat treatment and can be molded and remolded repeatedly.12
* Thermosetting resins: These become insoluble and infusible upon heating, forming a permanent network structure.12
Examples of synthetic resins include phenol-formaldehyde resins, used in adhesives and molded parts, and urea-formaldehyde resins, primarily used as wood adhesives. Polyacrylates, derived from acrylic esters, are common in paints, coatings, adhesives, and textiles.345
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