Question

How do thermosetting polymers differ from thermoplastic polymers? Explain with examples.

Answer 1

As the name suggests Thermosetting polymers settle into harder solid mass on heating and on cooling dont come back to their initial phase, i.e. the heating is irreversible.

Whereas the thermoplastic polymers are hard; on heating become viscous and soft and on colling become harder and this process is reversible.

Answer 2

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■ Thermoplastics :

Thermoplastics are the polymers which can be easily softened repeatedly on heating and hardened on cooling. Therefore, it can be used again and again. For example,

• Polythene
• Polyvinyl chloride

■ Thermosetting polymers :

Thermosetting polymers are those which undergo permanent change on heating. They become hard and infusible on heating and cannot be softened again. For example,

• Bakelite
• Melamine-formaldehyde