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Dec 30, 20223 min read

From Thermoplastics to Thermosetting: A Beginner's Guide to the Different Types of Plastic

A look at the types of plastic we encounter every day. There is a summary suitable for GCSE Chemistry students at the end.



There are several types of plastic, each with its own unique properties and uses. Here is an overview of some of the most common types of plastic:


Polyethylene (PE): Polyethylene/polythene is a common type of plastic that is used in a range of products, including food packaging, plastic bags, and toys. It is known for its durability and flexibility and is often used in products that require a strong and flexible material.


Polypropylene (PP): Polypropylene is another common type of plastic that is known for its durability and resistance to chemicals. It is used in a range of products, including food packaging, automotive parts, and carpets.


Polyvinyl chloride (PVC): Polyvinyl chloride is a type of plastic that is known for its toughness and resistance to weathering. It is used in a range of products, including pipes, siding, and window frames.


Polystyrene (PS): Polystyrene is a type of plastic that is known for its light weight and insulation properties. It is used in a range of products, including foam cups and containers, and is also used as a material for model-making.


Polyethylene terephthalate (PET): Polyethylene terephthalate is a type of plastic that is used in a range of products, including bottles and packaging. It is known for its strength and resistance to heat and chemicals and is often used in products that require a durable and safe material.


Thermoplastic versus thermosetting plastics


Thermoplastic materials have a flexible molecular structure that allows them to be melted and reshaped multiple times without losing their original properties. The bonding in thermoplastics is due to intermolecular forces, which are relatively weak and can be broken when the material is heated. This allows the material to be melted and reshaped, but also means that it may not be as strong or durable as thermosetting plastics. They are known for their versatility and can be moulded into a wide range of products, including toys, bottles, and automotive parts. Some common examples of thermoplastic materials include polyethene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).


Thermosetting plastics, on the other hand, have a more rigid and inflexible molecular structure that is cured or hardened through a chemical reaction. The bonding in thermosetting plastics is due to covalent bonds, which are much stronger than intermolecular forces and cannot be broken by heating. This makes thermosetting plastics stronger and more durable than thermoplastics, but also means that they cannot be melted or reshaped once they have been cured. Some common examples of thermosetting plastics include phenolic resins, epoxy resins, and polyurethanes.


Summary for GCSE Chemistry:


Thermoplastic materials are plastics that can be melted and reshaped multiple times without losing their original properties. They are known for their versatility and can be moulded into a wide range of products. Examples of thermoplastic materials include polyethene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

Thermosetting plastics are cured or hardened through a chemical reaction and cannot be melted or reshaped once they have been cured. They are known for their strength and durability and are often used in products that require a strong and rigid material. Examples of thermosetting plastics include phenolic resins, epoxy resins, and polyurethanes.


Thermoplastic materials have a flexible molecular structure and are held together by weak intermolecular forces, while thermosetting plastics have a more rigid molecular structure and are held together by strong covalent bonds.


Thermoplastic materials are generally easier to process and mould than thermosetting plastics, but they may not be as strong or durable. Thermosetting plastics are generally more difficult to process, but they are stronger and more durable than thermoplastics.


Both thermoplastic and thermosetting plastics have their own unique properties and use. It is important to consider the environmental and health impacts of both types of plastics and to take steps to reduce our overall use of plastic and promote the use of more sustainable alternatives.






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