Difference between Thermoplastic and Thermosetting Plastic

What is Thermoplastic?

Thermoplastic plastics are plastics that can be softened again by heating. They are usually made from a thermoplastic resin and a plasticizer.

What is Thermosetting plastic?

Thermosetting plastics are plastics that, once set, cannot be softened again by heating. They are usually made from a thermoset resin and a hardener.

The Main Difference between Thermoplastic and Thermosetting Plastic

Thermosetting plastics tend to be stronger and more resistant to heat and chemicals than thermoplastic plastics. Thermoplastics, on the other hand, can be recycled more easily because they can be softened and reprocessed.

Thermoplastic plastics can be reheated and remolded multiple times, whereas thermosetting plastics cannot be reheated and remolded. Thermosetting plastics are harder and more brittle than thermoplastic plastics.

Thermoplastics are often used for making things like Tupperware because they can be washed and reused multiple times. Thermoset plastics are often used for things like car parts because once they are set, they are very durable.

Thermoplastics are plastics that soften when heated and set into a solid shape when cooled, while polymers that do not melt or liquefy at a first use a heat source. Thermosetting plastics, on the other hand, require exposure to heat as well as an agent to initiate bonding.

Thermoplastics are plastics that can be repeatedly softened by heating and hardened again by cooling. They are a type of polyolefin, which is made up of long chains of carbon atoms bonded together. The most common thermoplastics are polyethylene (used for milk bottles, carrier bags, and food packaging), polypropylene (used in car parts and furniture), and PVC (used in raincoats, shower curtains, and bottles).

The molecules in thermosetting plastics are initially in a soft, molten state but once they have been molded into the desired shape, they cannot be softened or melted again without ruining the plastic. This type of plastic is usually made from epoxy resins or unsaturated polyesters.