C-stage - This term describes the final stage of the reaction where the material is now relatively insoluble and infusible.

Calendering - A form of extrusion using two or more counter-rotating rolls in which film and sheet is produced by squeezing a hot, viscous material between them.

Cast Film - A cast film is made by depositing a layer of plastic onto a surface, then solidifying and removing the film from that surface. The plastic layer can be in a molten form, in a solution, or in a dispersion.

Casting - The process of forming solid or hollow articles from fluid plastic mixtures or resins by pouring or injecting the fluid into a mold or against a substrate with little or no pressure, followed by solidification and removal of the formed object.

Cellular Plastic - A plastic containing numerous cells, intentionally introduced, interconnecting or not, distributed throughout the mass.

Co-extrusion - The process of combining two or more layers or extrudate to produce a multiple layer product in a single step.

Cold Flow or Creep - A time-dependent strain of solids resulting from stress.

Cold Molding - The process of compression molding involving shaping an unheated compound in a mold under pressure, then heating the article to cure it.

Colorants & Pigments - Are additives used to change the color of the plastic. They can be powder or a resin/color premix.

Composite - A structural material consisting of combinations of materials. Typically, one of the materials is a strengthening agent, the other being a thermoset or a thermoplastic resin.

Compounding - The process required to mix the polymer with all of the materials that are necessary to provide the end user with a finished product.

Compounds - These are chemical combinations of materials which include all the materials necessary for the finished product. They include BMC (Bulk Molding Compounds), SMC (Sheet Molding Compounds), and TMC (Thick Molding Compounds).

Compression Molding - The process of molding a material in a confined shape by applying pressure and usually heat.

Copolymer - The chemical reaction of two different monomers with each other, resulting in a compound.

Coupling Agents - A material that is used to form a chemical bridge between the resin and glass fiber or mineral filler. By acting as an interface, bonding is enhanced.

Crazing - Small cracks near or on the surface of plastic materials.

Creep - The time-dependent part of strain resulting from stress.

Crosslinking - The formation of a three dimensional polymer by means of interchain reactions resulting in changes in physical properties.

Cure - The process of changing the properties of a polymer into a more stable and usable condition. This is accomplished by the use of heat, radiation, or reaction with chemical additives.

Cure Cycle - The time periods at defined conditions to which a reacting thermosetting material is processed to reach a desired property level.

Density, Bulk - The weight per unit volume of a material including voids inherent in material as tested.

Elastomer - A macromolecular material that at room temperature returns rapidly to approximately its initial dimensions and shape after substantial deformation by a weak stress and release of the stress.

Engineering Plastics - Those plastics and polymeric compositions for which well-defined properties are available such that engineering rather than empirical methods can be used for the design and manufacture of products that require definite and predictable performance in structural applications over a substantial temperature range.

Expandable Plastic - A plastic in a form capable of being made cellular by thermal, chemical, or mechanical means.

Extender - A material added to a plastic compound used to reduce the amount of resin required per unit volume.

Extrusion - The process of forming a continuous piece of plastic by forcing it through a shaping orifice with or without the presence of heat.

Fabricating - The manufacture of plastic products by appropriate operations. This includes plastics formed into molded parts, rods, tubes, sheeting, extrusion, and other forms by methods including punching, cutting, drilling, tapping, fastening, or by using other mechanical devices.

Fillers & Reinforcements - Fillers are used to make a resin less costly. They can be inert or they can alter some properties of the plastic. Reinforcements are substances used to strengthen or give dimensional stability to a material.

Film - Films are flat materials that are extremely thin in comparison to its length and breadth. Typically, a film has a maximum nominal thickness of 0.25 millimeters.

Flame, Fire & Smoke Retardants - Are added to the resin to retard these undesirable effects.

Flash Gate - Wide gate extending from a runner which runs parallel to an edge of a molded part along the parting line of a mold.

Flow Line - A mark on a molded piece made by the meeting of two flow fronts during molding. Also called weld line.

Forming - The process whereby the current shape of a plastic is transformed to another desired configuration.

Neither TPG nor any of its affiliates makes any warranty, expressed or implied, or accepts any liability in connection with this information or its use. This information is furnished upon the condition that the person receiving it shall make his own tests to determine the suitability thereof for his particular purpose.