Thermoset Molding - Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico

Since 1995, Parkway has valued Thermoset Molding as a technology and is currently the largest Thermoset molder in Mexico. Most plastic molders only do thermoplastics or thermosets due to the difference in processing techniques, but both are provided by Parkway, unlike competitors. Although Thermoplastics and Thermosets both use plastic resin based materials, they differ when it comes to how the material retains its shape. Thermoplastics retain their shape after they cool below their melting point, whereas Thermosets can keep their shape after they’re heated above their cure point. At the Thermoset cure point, the materials undergo an irreversible chemical reaction called “crosslinking.” As a result, Thermoset components are permanently solidified and cannot be melted or reshaped once cured dissimilar to Thermoplastics. One advantage of Thermosets are they’re stronger and more resistant to heat, chemicals, and electrical current than Thermoplastics, and offer an ideal lightweight, cost effective option for electrical or automotive underhood enclosures. With these characteristics, Thermoset Molding may best fit a number of the markets we serve.

Key Benefits


    • Superb electrical, thermal, and chemical resistance 
    • Excellent aesthetic appearance 
    • Thick and thin wall capabilities 
    • Low input material cost 
    • Fire Retardance 
    • Strong structural performance

Thermoset Raw Materials

Parkway uses three different forms of TST Raw Materials:

 1) Bulk Molding Compound (BMC) – A blend of various inert fillers, fiber reinforcement, catalysts, stabilizers, and pigments that form a thick, putty-like compound
 2) Sheet Molding Compound (SMC) – A compression molding compound often used for larger parts where high mechanical strength is needed
 3) Thick Molding Compound (TMC) - These TST materials are manufactured using a unique process that produces a material with the best combined properties of a BMC (excellent flow properties) and SMC (excellent mechanical properties).
4) Dough Molding Compound (DMC) - A TST material that consists of polyester resin, glass fiber, calcium carbonate, lubricants and catalysts. 

 

Types of Thermoset Production

Parkway offers a full portfolio of Thermoset Molding Capabilities:

1) Compression Molding – uncured material is placed into half of a pre-heated mold, the other half of the mold is compressed, softening the material, allowing the material to flow throughout the cavity
2) Transfer Molding – Uncured material is placed into a collection chamber and softened before being forced into a closed mold cavity via an external plunger
3) Injection Molding and Insert Molding – Similar to Thermoplastic Injection Molding and insert molding, but using Thermoset specific machinery


Other Thermoset Materials include Pelletized Polyesters, Phenolics, Melamines, Ureas, DAP, DAIP, Rubbers, Epoxies

Energy & Infrastructure Applications & Products:

  • Electrical Switching
  • Switchgear and Breaker Components
  • Busbar
  • Insulators
  • Building Systems

Our Thermoset molding technology is housed only in the Saltillo, Coah, Mexico facility.  Parkway Saltillo is the largest captive Thermoset molder in Mexico, with well-known global clients and an excellent track record of success.
 
Certifications: ISO9001:2015, UL