Difference between thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers
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Thermoplastic polymers
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Thermosetting polymers
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(1) Thermoplastic polymers are soften and melt on heating.
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Thermosetting polymers do not become softer on heating but rather become hard in case prolonged heating is done these start burning.
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(2) Thermoplastic polymers can be remoulded recast and resized.
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Thermosetting polymers may not be remoulded or reshaped.
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(3) Thermoplastic polymers are less brittle and soluble in some organic solvents.
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Thermosetting polymers are more brittle and insoluble in organic solvents.
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(4) Thermoplastic polymers are formed by addition polymerisation.
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Thermosetting polymers are prepared by condensation polymerisation.
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(5) Thermoplastic polymers have generally linear structures.
Ex. Polyethylene, PVC, teflon.
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Thermosetting polymers have three dimensional cross linked structures.
Ex. Bakelite, urea, formaldehyde, resin.
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