Resin generally refers to organic polymers that have a softening or melting range when heated, exhibit a tendency to flow under external forces when softened, and are solid or semi-solid at room temperature, although they can also be liquid under certain conditions. Broadly defined, any high molecular compound that can be used as a raw material for plastic processing is termed a resin.
Resins are categorized into natural resins and synthetic resins. Natural resins refer to amorphous organic substances obtained from secretions of animals and plants in nature, such as amber and shellac. Synthetic resins are those produced through chemical synthesis of simple organic compounds or by chemical reactions of certain natural products, like phenolic resins and polyvinyl chloride resins. Synthetic resins are the primary components of plastics.
By synthetic reaction
This method allows resins to be categorized into addition polymers and condensation polymers. Addition polymers are polymers obtained through addition polymerization reactions, with the chemical formula of their chain units identical to that of the monomer molecules, such as polyethylene.
Condensates are polymers obtained from condensation polymerization reactions, whose structural unit chemical formulas differ from the monomer molecular formulas, such as phenolic aldehyde resins, polyamide resins, etc.
By molecular chain composition
This method allows resins to be categorized into carbon chain polymers, heterochain polymers, and element organics polymers.
Carbon chain polymers refer to polymers whose main chains are composed entirely of carbon atoms, such as polyethylene, etc.
Random-chain polymers refer to polymers whose main chains are composed of atoms of two or more elements, such as carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, etc., such as polyoxymethylene, polyamide, polysulfone, polyether, etc.
Elementary organic polymers refer to polymers where the main chain may not contain carbon atoms and are primarily composed of atoms of elements such as silicon, oxygen, aluminum, titanium, boron, sulfur, and phosphorus, such as organosilicon.
As nature
Thermosetting resins (commonly used in glass fiber reinforced plastics): Unsaturated polyester/vinylester/epoxy/phenolic/bis-maleimide (BMI)/polyimide resins, etc.
Thermoplastic resins: Polypropylene (PP), Polycarbonate (PC), Nylon (NYLON), Polyether Ether Ketone (PEEK), Polyether Sulfone (PES), etc.
Synthetic resins are a class of high molecular polymer compounds artificially synthesized. Their significant application is in the production of plastics. To facilitate processing and enhance performance, additives are often added, and sometimes they are used directly for processing and shaping, making them synonymous with plastics. Synthetic resins also serve as the basic raw materials for manufacturing synthetic fibers, coatings, adhesives, insulating materials, and more. There are many types of synthetic resins, with polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), and ABS resin being the five major general-purpose resins, widely used synthetic resin materials.
Resin craftwork
This set of craft items utilizes resin materials in their design and composition, fully capitalizing on the material's advantages of smooth lines and lustrous texture.