Question

Explain the difference between thermoplastics and thermosetting plastics.

Answer 1

It is better to compare and contrast the differences between thermo and thermosetting plastics to understand better about them.

Thermo plastics

• It can be melted and recycled.
• 2 Dimensional with no crosslinks.
• Prepared mostly by additional polymerisation.
• Mostly processed by conventional methods such as injection molding, extrusion and blow molding.
• Examples include polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terphthalate (PET).

Thermosetting plastics

• It cannot be melted and recycled.
• 3 Dimensional with multiple crosslinks.
• Prepared mostly by condensation polymerisation.
• Mostly processed by special methods such as compression, transfer and casting.
• Examples include Phenol formaldehyde, melamine formaldehyde.