Question

Define thermoplastics and thermosetting polymers with two examples of each.

Answer 1

Hint: By applying heat we can change the shape of some plastics, those plastics are called thermoplastic. We can’t convert a few plastics into different shapes by applying heat, those plastics are called thermosetting plastic.

Complete step by step solution:
Thermoplastic polymers
● Thermoplastics are the polymers that possess intermolecular forces of attraction between elastomers and fibers.
● Thermoplastics are linear or slightly chain polymers.
● Thermoplastics have the capability to soften on heating and hard on cooling.
● Examples for Thermoplastics are Polythene, Polypropylene, Polystyrene, Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), etc.
Thermosetting polymers
● Thermosetting polymers are the cross-linked polymers and heavily branched chains.
● Thermosetting plastics on heating go through extensive cross-links in molds and over again become infusible.
● Thermosetting polymers cannot be reshaped.
● Examples of Thermosetting polymers are Bakelite, Urea-formaldehyde resins etc.

Additional information:
● Bakelite is a thermosetting plastic, due to its high resistance to electricity and heat it is used in industrial applications.
● Due to its good insulating property, it is used in the manufacture of switches and other electrical appliances.
● Bakelite is also used to prepare numerous kitchenware products such as frying pans etc.
● The other name of Bakelite is phenol-formaldehyde polymer because phenol and formaldehyde are the monomeric units to prepare Bakelite.

Note: Don’t be confused with the words thermoplastic and thermosetting plastic.
Thermoplastic can be reshaped any number of times by applying heat but thermosetting plastics can’t be remolded or reshaped by applying heat.