Plastics

Plastics

1. Thermosetting

   • Its polymer chains are joined together by cross-links, so they cannot slide past each other easily.
   • Vulcanised rubber is a thermoset used to make tyres.
   • Once moulded, they do not soften when heated and they cannot be reshaped.

2. Thermosoftening

   • Thermosoftening polymers soften when heated and can be shaped when hot
   • Its tangled polymer chains can uncoil and slide past each other, making it a flexible material.
   • The shape will harden when it is cooled, but can be reshaped when heated up again.
   • Poly(ethene) is a thermosoftening polymer.

3. Polymers have properties which depend on the chemicals they are made from, and the conditions in which they are made

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