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. |
