Thermoplastic vs. Thermoset

Thermoplasticadjective

softening when heated and hardening when cooled, and thus able to be moulded

Thermoplasticnoun

A plastic with this property.

Thermoplasticnoun

a material that softens when heated and hardens again when cooled

Thermoplasticadjective

having the property of softening or fusing when heated and of hardening and becoming rigid again when cooled;

Thermoplastic

A thermoplastic, or thermosoftening plastic, is a plastic polymer material that becomes pliable or moldable at a certain elevated temperature and solidifies upon cooling.Most thermoplastics have a high molecular weight. The polymer chains associate by intermolecular forces, which weaken rapidly with increased temperature, yielding a viscous liquid.

Thermosetnoun

A thermosetting plastic

Thermosetadjective

having the property of becoming permanently hard and rigid when heated or cured;