Glossary of Terms

Catalyst- A substance usually used in small amounts relative to the reactants, that either causes or accelerates the rate of a chemical reaction without being affected in the process.

De-gassing – Emitting a gas (odor) making it porous.

Food-grade quality- Good enough to be used in foods

Hygienic- Sanitary, Cleansing

Hypoallergenic/Allergen Free – Contain little or few potential allergic irritants

Medical Grade Quality – Good enough to be used medically

Phthalates/Plasticizers – Chemicals used to make harder materials much softer.

Polymer- A natural or synthetic compound that has large molecules made up of repeated simple monomers

Porous- Allow a gas or liquid to pass through the pores

Resin- A large class of synthetic products that have similar properties of natural resins but differ chemically

Thermoplastic- Something that becomes hard when cooled and soft when heated.

Thermoset- Something that is permanently hard when heated or cured