Familiarity with thermosetting and thermoplastic polymer
Thermosetting and thermoplastic polymer has similar properties. These two substances have different melts; Thermoplastics melt at a certain temperature and turn into different shapes. Thermosetting polymers have a permanent shape and do not change into other shapes.
These materials are not recycled and are formed once and for all! Another important difference between thermosetting and thermoplastic polymer is the fragility of thermoplastics. These materials are easily broken down and recycled and used to produce various products.
It is interesting to know that thermosetting materials are 10 times more resistant than thermoplastic materials! These materials do not break and deform easily. In this PETROPROVIDERS article, join us to show you the main differences between thermosetting and thermoplastic polymer.
Investigation of thermosetting and thermoplastic polymer structure
Comparison between thermosetting and thermoplastic polymer
To examine closely between these two polymers, we first examine their structure. Thermoplastics are materials that have high ductility. These materials are widely used in various industries. It should be noted that the use of thermoplastics in different industries, leads to the production of different products.
These materials melt at very high temperatures and after cooling, turn into different shapes. These materials are solid and have a high molecular weight. Polystyrene, for example, is a thermoplastic material. This material has unique properties and is easily used in various industries.
Properties of thermoplastic materials
If there is high energy to melt thermoplastic materials, they can be easily recycled. One of the most important features of thermoplastics is their proper moldability. These materials have strong intermolecular forces. But if the ambient temperature rises, these strong intermolecular forces are broken.
These intermolecular forces form rapidly after the material cools, causing the thermoplastic material to deform. This property is not present in thermosetting materials; That is, if these materials break down, they will not be transformed into other forms.
After melting and cooling of thermoplastic materials, the intermolecular forces of these materials return to their previous state. In addition, thermoplastic materials have interesting crystal formation properties. These materials come in many forms, which is very important in different industries.
Features of thermosetting polymer types
These materials are resistant to very high temperatures. This prevents the polymers from deforming and remaining stable as the temperature rises. This material has very strong bonds that are used to make very strong polymers or strong adhesives.
To accurately identify thermosetting and thermoplastic polymer, this substance is introduced into chemical reactions. In these reactions, if the temperature above 200 ° C causes the material to deform, it means that the material has been thermoplastic. If the test temperature above 200 ° C does not deform the material, it is a thermosetting polymer.
To detect and test thermosetting polymers, they are reacted and exposed to strong ultraviolet rays. This allows the bonds between the material to intersect but not separate. It is interesting to know that the three-dimensional structure of this material is very durable and can withstand shocks and extreme temperatures.
This structure is resistant to very high temperatures. This temperature resistance is both good and bad! Because it makes this material very suitable; But it does not recycle and does not change the shape of this material. If, after increasing the temperature, cross-links are formed, the molecular weight of the material increases.
This also increases the melting point of the material. It should be noted that if the ambient temperature is higher than normal, these polymers are still resistant. You should note that if the ambient temperature rises strangely and rapidly, it will cause the thermosetting material to decompose.
Comparison between thermosetting and thermoplastic polymer
Polymers
The most famous thermosetting materials are vulcanized rubber, bakelite, polyester fiberglass, and melamine. In general, the resistance of thermoplastic polymers is less than that of thermosetting polymers. In addition, read the following differences:
- Thermoplastic materials are much more widely used in various industries than thermosetting materials.
- Thermoplastics are resistant to low pressures; But if the pressure is too high, these materials break down. But thermosetting polymers have a very high resistance to pressure and do not deform.
- Thermoplastic materials have better applications and properties in the manufacture of equipment for various industries. These materials have better energy and efficiency and their physical and chemical properties are better.
- Thermoplastic materials melt very quickly and deform after cooling. But thermosetting polymers are very resistant to various pressures and do not deform.
- Thermoplastics have an improper creep property. This feature is a defect that does not exist in thermosetting materials.
Summary of the introduction of thermosetting and thermoplastic polymer
In this article, we saw the different properties of thermosetting and thermoplastic polymer. These materials are used in various industries. Thermosetting polymers have a permanent shape and do not change into other shapes.
These materials are not recycled and are formed once and for all! Another important difference between thermosetting and thermoplastic polymer is the fragility of thermoplastics. These materials are easily broken down and recycled and used to produce various products.
It is interesting to know that thermosetting materials are about 10 times more resistant than thermoplastic materials!
Thermoplastic materials are much more widely used in various industries than thermosetting materials. In addition, thermoplastics are used to produce different devices in different shapes.
What do you think about thermosetting and thermoplastic polymer? Are these polymers harmful to human health? You can ask us your questions in the comments section. If this post was helpful to you, share it with your friends.