Thermoplastic and Thermosetting plastics

Thermoplastic is a polymer which becomes moldable or pliable after reaching a specific

temperature and it solidifies back to cooling. Thermoplastics have high molecular weight and the

polymer chains are associated with intermolecular forces which weaken quickly when

temperatures increase hence yielding some viscous liquid. Thermosetting polymer on the other

hand is a plastic polymer which irreversibly becomes rigid one it has been heat. Thermoplastics

have properties of remolding unlike thermoset plastics which remain in a permanent solid state

once they have been heated.

Thermosetting plastics are known to retain their shape and strength even when they are heated,

hence, they are well-suited in being used in the production of permanent components as well as

large solid shapes. Thermosetting plastics are typically produced by heating liquid or by using

powder within a mold so as to allow the materials into curing when they are in hardened form.

Thermosetting plastics are used in the production of large solid and permanent shapes.

Thermosetting plastics examples are like phenolics, silicones, polysters and epoxies. Vulcanized

rubber is also an excellent example of thermosetting plastic. Thermoplastics on the other hand

they are softened when heated thus become fluid whenever heat is administered. Since the curing

process is 100%, thermoplastics can be recycled and remodeled without having to negatively

affect the physical properties of the materials used (Baeurle, Hotta & Gusev, 2006). These

abilities of thermoplastics of having the properties of easy flexibility, shrink resistance and high

strength allows them to be used in low stress applications like plastic bags and or high-stress

mechanical part. Thermoplastics has the following polymers which are used differently,

acrylonitrile butadine styrene, acrylic, nylon, polybenzimidazole and polycarbonate.

Thermosetting polymers on the other hand has the following polymers which are used for

various functions, melanin resin, duroplast, polyster resin and metamine resin.

Reference List

Baeurle SA, Hotta A, Gusev AA (2006). "On the glassy state of multiphase and pure polymer

materials". Polymer. 47: 62436253. doi:10.1016/j.polymer.2006.05.076.