Thermoplastic & thermoset
Thermoplastic: Once 'set' these plastics cannot be reheated to soften, shape and mould. The molecules of these plastics are cross linked in three dimensions and this is why they cannot be reshaped or recycled. The bond between the molecules is very strong.
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Thermoset: These Plastics can be re-heated and therefore shaped in various ways. They become mouldable when you reheat them because they don't go through any significant chemical changes. The molecules have a weak bond so they become weaker when they are reheated making them able to be reshaped. Thermoplastics tend to be composed of long chain monomers. That means these types of plastics can be recycled.
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