Resins typically refer to organic polymers that soften or melt upon heating, showing a tendency to flow under external force when softened, and are solid or semi-solid at room temperature, sometimes also in a liquid state. In a broad sense, any high molecular compound that can be used as a raw material for plastic processing is called a resin.
Resins are categorized into natural and synthetic types. Natural resins refer to amorphous organic substances obtained from secretions of plants and animals in nature, such as amber, shellac, etc. Synthetic resins are those produced through chemical synthesis of simple organic compounds or through chemical reactions of certain natural products, such as phenolic resins, polyvinyl chloride resins, etc., with synthetic resins being the main component 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 monomer units identical to that of the monomers, such as polyethylene.
Condensate polymers are those obtained through condensation polymerization reactions, whose structural unit chemical formulas differ from the monomer molecular formulas, such as phenolic aldehyde resins, polyamide resins, and so on.
Based on the composition of the main chain
This method allows resins to be classified into carbon chain polymers, hetero chain polymers, and element organic polymers.
Carbon chain polymers refer to polymers whose main chains are composed entirely of carbon atoms, such as polyethylene.
Random chain polymers refer to polymers whose main chains are composed of atoms of carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and other elements in two or more types, such as polyformaldehyde, polyamide, polysulfone, polyether, etc.
Element organic polymers refer to those where the main chain may not contain carbon atoms, primarily composed of atoms such as silicon, oxygen, aluminum, titanium, boron, sulfur, and phosphorus, like 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 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 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 material in their design and composition, fully capitalizing on the material's advantages in terms of smooth lines and bright texture.