Thermoplastic and Thermosetting Polymers

Match the type of polymer with it's structure

• Thermosetting

• Contains a few cross-links

• Elastomer

• Contains no cross-links

• Thermoplastic

• Contains many cross-links

Match the term with it's definition.

• Elastomer

•  

  A polymer with linear or branched chains and no cross-links that can be softened by heat and reshaped multiple times.

• Cross-links

• A polymer with extensive cross-linking between chains that, once set, cannot be melted or reshaped with heat.

• Thermosetting Polymer

• Covalent bonds that form between polymer chains, locking them into a fixed structure, increasing strength and rigidity.

• Thermoplastic Polymer

• Polymers with few cross-links that allow the material to stretch and return to its original shape, giving it rubber-like flexibility.

Match the properties with the type of polymer

Groups:

(a) Thermoplastic

,

(b) Thermosetting

• Can be remolded upon heating

• Cannot be remolded

• Does not melt (combusts)

• Melts when heated

• Not Recyclable

• Heat Resistant

• Cross-links (covalent bonds) between polymers

• Recyclable

• Dispersion Forces between molecules

• Hardens when cooled

Match the uses with the type of polymer

Groups:

(a) Thermoplastic

,

(b) Thermosetting

,

(c) Elastomer

• Tyre

• Plastic bags

• Circuit boards

• Plastic bottles

• Disposable cups and plates

• Cookware

• Wetsuit

• Electrical insulation

Thermoplastics have linear or branched polymer chains with ​ (a)   between them. These chains are held together by ​ (b)   . When heated the forces break ​ (c)   making the plastic ​ (d)   . When cooled the forces reform in it's new shape.
 

• no covalent cross-links
• covalent cross-links
• weak intermolecular forces
• strong covalent bonds
• allowing them to slide past one another
• remouldable
• unable to be remoulded
• they combust to form carbon dioxide and water

Thermosetting polymers have polymer chains with ​ (a)   between them. These chains are held together by ​ (b)   . When heated the bonds break ​ (c)   making the plastic ​ (d)   . When cooled the forces reform in it's new shape.
 

• no covalent cross-links
• covalent cross-links
• weak intermolecular forces
• strong covalent bonds
• remouldable
• unable to be remoulded
• they combust to form carbon dioxide and water
• allowing them to slide past one another

Elastomers are classified as a type of ​ (a)   polymer. This is because elastomers contain ​ (b)   covalent cross-links between polymer chains, which ​ (c)   . However, the low density of cross-links allows the chains to ​ (d)   while still being fixed in shape, like thermosets.
 

• thermosetting
• thermoplastic
• some
• no
• prevent them from melting
• allow to the melt
• stretch
• remain rigid

Rubber, which is an (a)   , is more difficult to recycle than the plastic used in bottles (a (b)   ) because of the​ (c)   between its polymer chains. This means the rubber cannot be melted or reshaped easily. In contrast, like polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in plastic bottles have ​ (d)   , so their chains are held together only by weak intermolecular force. This allows thermoplastics to be softened by heat, reshaped, and recycled more easily.

• elastomer
• thermoplastic
• no cross-links
• cross-links

Match the image of the structure with the type of polymer

Groups:

(a) Thermosetting

,

(b) Thermoplastic

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• 
• 
• 

Identify each type of polymer.

a

b

c

Elastomer

Thermosetting

Thermoplastic