Overview of thermosets: Present and future

This chapter provides a background of thermosetting polymers analyzing network formation by step-growth, chain-growth, and controlled polymerization; the occurrence of gelation and vitrification; and the use of transformation diagrams. Innovations on chemistries and formulations are discussed and motivated by improvements in properties and processing, adaptation to new regulations, and the need of recycling. General rules for thermoset processing are analyzed considering pot life, processing window, and manufacturing methods involving low energy consumption and enabling rapid processing. A brief survey of vitrimers and advanced materials based on thermosets with specific properties such as recyclability, self-healing, or shape memory is provided.