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Grade 12Physical Chemistry

Define thermoplastics and thermosetting polymers with two examples of each.

Profile image of Rahul Kumar
12 Years agoGrade 12
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1 Answer

Profile image of Sunil Kumar FP
11 Years ago
Thermoplastic polymers are linear long chain polymers, which can be repeatedly softened and hardened on heating. Hence, they can be modified again and again. Examples include polythene, polystyrene.

Thermosetting polymers are cross-linked or heavily branched polymers which get hardened during the molding process. These plastics cannot be softened again on heating. Examples of thermosetting plastics include bakelite, urea-formaldehyde resins.