
The basic difference between thermoplastic and thermosetting plastic depends on the behavior of the material at elevated temperatures.
Thermoplastic materials get melted at elevated temperature and can be reformed into a new shape while in the case of thermosetting plastic materials, the material gets melted during the first heating to form a permanent set and after that, it cannot be melted & can not be reformed.
Difference between thermoplastic and thermosetting plastic:
S.N. | Thermoplastics | Thermosetting plastic |
---|---|---|
1 | Thermoplastics can be reshaped again and again. | Thermosetting plastic can not be reshaped. |
2 | Thermoplastics have a lower melting point. | Thermosetting plastic cannot melt after it permanently gets set. |
3 | Thermoplastics can melt again and again. | Thermosetting plastic cannot be melted again and again. |
4 | Thermoplastics are flexible. | Thermosetting plastic are brittle. |
5 | Thermoplastics have lower tensile strength. | Thermosetting plastic has higher tensile strength. |
6 | Thermoplastics are softer. | Thermosetting plastic are harder. |
7 | Thermoplastics have a higher surface finish. | It is difficult to obtain a surface finish in the case of thermosetting plastic. |
8 | The Plasticity of thermoplastics increases with an increase in temperature. | In the case of thermosetting plastic, plasticity does not change with a change In temperature. |
9 | Thermoplastics are formed by addition polymerization. | Thermosetting plastic are formed by condensation polymerization. |
10 | There is no chemical change in thermoplastics while heating. | Thermosetting plastic undergoes chemical change while first heating to form a permanent set. |
11 | Thermoplastics are used in injection molding, Blow molding. | Thermosetting plastics are used in compression molding. |
12 | Thermoplastics cannot be used for fireproof applications. | Thermosetting plastic can be used for fireproof applications. |
13 | Thermoplastics can be recycled | Thermosetting plastic cannot be recycled. |
14 | Examples of thermoplastics are Polyvinyl chloride, Nylon. | Examples of thermosetting plastic are polyurethane. |