Question

Give some examples of thermoplastic and thermosetting plastics.

Answer 1

Thermoplastics:

1. Thermoplastics, which are soft and less brittle, are created via further polymerization. Organic solvents are soluble in them.
2. The thermoplastics become softer when heated and hence are susceptible to shaping into any shape while hot. When cooled, they become hard and stiff and keep the molded shape.
3. Polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, acrylic, nylon, and Teflon are examples of thermoplastics.

Thermosetting plastics:

1. Thermosetting plastics are made up of cross-linked long chains of molecules. Their structure is quite hard and stiff.
2. They can be molded into shapes once heated. They cannot be reheated once set since they are permanently set.
3. Vulcanized rubber, Bakelite, Polyurethane, Epoxy resin, and Vinyl Ester Resin are examples of thermosetting plastics.