ii. Which is thermosetting plastics in the above picture?(a/b)
iii. Thermoplastics are linear polymers or branched polymers?
iv. Give one example for thermoplastic?
v. Give one example for thermosetting plastic?
Answers
Answer:
1) Melamine
2) Linear and branched polymers form a class of materials known as thermoplastics. These materials flow when heated and can be molded into a variety of shapes which they retain when they cool. Heavy cross-linking produces materials known as thermoset plastics.
3) Some of the most common types of thermoplastic are polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinylchloride, polystyrene, polyethylenetheraphthalate and polycarbonate.
4) Common examples of thermoset plastics and polymers include epoxy, silicone, polyurethane and phenolic. In addition, some materials such as polyester can occur in both thermoplastic and thermoset versions.
Answer:
Thermoplastics and thermosetting polymers are types of plastic that undergo different production processes and yield a variety of properties depending on the constituent materials and production method. The terms thermoplastic and thermoset stand for how a material is or can be processed under a changed temperature [1].
The main physical difference is how they respond to high temperatures. When heated to their melting point, thermoplastics soften into a liquid form. Therefore, the curing process is reversible, which means that they can be remoulded and recycled. On the other hand, thermoset polymers form a crosslinked structure during the curing process, preventing them from being melted and remoulded.
As an analogy, think of thermosets like concrete, once they have set, they can never go back to the liquid form (irreversible process). While thermoplastics are like water, they can transition between ice and water with the application or removal of heat (reversible process).
Here, you will learn about:
What thermoplastics and thermosets are
What crosslinking is and how it differentiates thermoplastics from thermosets
Properties of thermoplastics and thermosets
Processing of thermoplastics and thermosets
Materials and relevant technological applications