Thermoplastic polymers

Thermosetting polymers

(1) Thermoplastic polymers are soften and melt on heating.

Thermosetting polymers do not become softer on heating but rather become hard in case prolonged heating is done these start burning.

(2) Thermoplastic polymers can be remoulded recast and resized.

Thermosetting polymers may not be remoulded or reshaped.

(3) Thermoplastic polymers are less brittle and soluble in some organic solvents.

Thermosetting polymers are more brittle and insoluble in organic solvents.

(4) Thermoplastic polymers are formed by addition polymerisation.

Thermosetting polymers are prepared by condensation polymerisation.

(5) Thermoplastic polymers have generally linear structures.

Ex. Polyethylene, PVC, teflon.

Thermosetting polymers have three dimensional cross linked structures.

Ex. Bakelite, urea, formaldehyde, resin.