Resin typically refers to organic polymers that have a softening or melting range when heated, exhibit a tendency to flow under external force when softened, and are solid or semi-solid at room temperature, though they can also be liquid. In a broad sense, 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 plants and animals in nature, such as amber, shellac, etc. Synthetic resins are obtained through chemical synthesis of simple organic compounds or by chemical reactions of certain natural products, like phenolic resin, polyvinyl chloride resin, etc., with synthetic resins being the main component of plastics.
As per synthetic reaction
This method allows resins to be classified into addition polymers and condensation polymers. Addition polymers are polymers obtained through addition polymerization reactions, with the chemical formula of their chain segments identical to that of the monomer molecules, such as polyethylene.
Condensates are polymers obtained from condensation polymerization reactions, whose structural unit chemical formula differs from the monomer's molecular formula, such as phenolic aldehyde resins, polyamide resins, etc.
By the composition of the main molecular chain
This method allows resins to be categorized into carbon chain polymers, heterochain polymers, and element organic polymers.
Carbon chain polymers refer to polymers whose main chains are composed entirely of carbon atoms, such as polyethylene and the like.
Random-chain polymers refer to polymers whose main chains are composed of atoms of carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and other two or more elements, such as polyformaldehyde, polyamide, polysulfone, polyether, etc.
Element organic polymers refer to those whose main chains do not necessarily 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 dictates
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 forming, 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 numerous 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 crafts
This set of craft items utilizes resin materials in their design and composition, fully capitalizing on the material's advantages of smooth lines and bright texture.