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Thermoplastics can be melted into liquids using heat and then set again when they cool. This is often useful for recycling and such. Melt it down, make something else.
Thermosetting polymers cannot be melted down in such a way and will generally just burn if you try to heat them too much. It's quite common for thermosetting polymers to start off as a liquid and then be "cured" to become hard...often using heat. Once they have been cured, they cannot be reverted back to a liquid. This sounds disadvantageous but thermosetting polymers are usually much tougher than thermoplastics, so you just pick the right one for the job.
Like tyres, for example...you can't have them melting when they get hot, and they need to be tough so thermosetting polymers are a good idea.
A final note about thermoplastics: if you lower the temperature (usually it has to be a lot - there's a really cool balloon + liquid nitrogen experiment you can do for this) they will become a sort of glass, but will revert back when warmed through.
The two are very different in terms of packing. I'm sure there is some overlap but generally speaking, thermoplastics tend to polymerise in long chains that then pack together. Thermosetting polymers take on a more permanent 3D structure.
There's a lot to say about them, but those are some major bullet points. Search Google for further reading, or ask a more specific question if one is needed.
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Why are thermoplastics and thermosettings different?
there r differenrt cos they r
What are the two main plastics?
thermosettings and thermoplastics. A thermoplastic can be remelted and reused, a thermoset cannot.
What do the big six polymers have in common?
The big six polymers are classified as thermoplastics. This means that they can be melted and shaped.
When do you need thermoplastics?
Thermoplastics are polymers that can be molded above a certain temperature. They are needed to manufacture such plastics as acrylic, nylon and polystyrene.
What two families of plastic are there?
thermoplastic plastics (recyclable)thermosetting plastics (non-recyclable)
Are there different types of platic molding, and if so, what type is the strongest?
Plastics are available in two basic types: thermosets and thermoplastics. Thermoplastics are meltable, but thermosets are not. This is due to the types of polymers in the plastic. Because a thermoset type of plastic consists of three-dimensional chains of polymers they are stronger than a one-dimensional thermoplastic.
Classification of conducting polymers?
polymers are classified into 5 types as follows: A))based on synthesis: 1)addition polymers 2)condensation polymers B))based on inter molecular forces: 1)fibers 2)elastromers 3)thermoplastics 4)thermosettings C))from source 1)natural polymers 2)synthetic polymers D))based on material 1)organic polymer 2)inorganic polymer E))based on structure 1)linear polymer 2)branched polymer 3)cross linked polymer F))based on the monomer 1)homo polymer 2)hetero polymer
What are the basic properties of thermoplastic and thermosetting?
Thermoplastics can be resoftened and remoulded several times,thermosetting can be heated and moulded only once into an irriversible shape.=)
What are thermosettings and therosoftening polymers?
Polymers are plastic. Thermosoftening is hard when it is cold and flexible when it is warm. Thermosetting is flexible when cold and hard when hotThermosetting plastics are polymers that, once heated, melted and moulded, cannot be re-moulded as the bond between their molecules are too strong. Thermosoftening plastics are polymers which can be re-moulded many times as the bonds between the molecules are very weak. Thermosetting plastics can only be shaped once. Thermosoftening plastics can be shaped and re-shaped many times. :) hope this is helpful x
Is acrylic a themosetting?
Some acrylic resins are thermoplastic and other are thermosettings.
What has the author A Whelan written?
A. Whelan has written: 'The Dynisco extrusion processors handbook' -- subject(s): Extrusion, Handbooks, manuals, Plastics, Thermoplastics 'Polymer technology dictionary' -- subject(s): Dictionaries, Plastics, Polymers
What type of plastic are bottles made out of?
There are two types of plastics: thermoplastics and thermosetting polymers. Thermoplastics are the plastics that don't undergo chemical change in their composition when heated and can be moulded again and again; examples are polyethylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).[3] Thermosets can melt and take shape once; after they have solidified, they stay solid.
