kin Flashcards
1
Q
Make comparisons of thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers (a) on the basis of mechanical
characteristics upon heating, and (b) according to possible molecular structures.
A
Solution (a) Thermoplastic polymers soften when heated and harden when cooled, whereas thermosetting
polymers, harden upon heating, while further heating will not lead to softening. (b) Thermoplastic
polymers have linear and branched structures, while for thermosetting polymers, the structures will normally be
network or crosslinked.
