The document compares and contrasts thermoplastic and thermoset plastics. Thermoplastics soften when heated and can be remolded and recycled, while thermosets undergo a chemical curing process forming irreversible bonds making them ideal for high heat applications. Thermoplastics offer properties like strength, shrink resistance and bendability for a range of applications. Thermosets provide enhanced chemical resistance, heat resistance and structural integrity, making them suitable for sealed products. The pros and cons of each are listed.

1. Md. Mominul Islam_Mpharm_Spring-2017_NorthSouth University
Features Thermoplastic Thermoset
Curing Process Thermoplastics pellets soften when
heated and become more fluid as
additional heat is applied. The
curing process is completely
reversible as no chemical bonding
takes place. This characteristic
allows thermoplastics to be
remolded and recycled without
negatively affecting the material’s
physical properties.
Thermoset plastics contain
polymers that cross-link
together during the curing
process to form an
irreversible chemical bond.
The cross-linking process
eliminates the risk of the
product remelting when heat
is applied, making
thermosets ideal for high-
heat applications such as
electronics and appliances.
.
Features & Benefits
There are multiple thermoplastic
resins that offer various
performance benefits, but most
materials commonly offer high
strength, shrink-resistance and easy
bendability. Depending on the resin,
thermoplastics can serve low-stress
applications such as plastic bags or
high-stress mechanical parts
Thermoset plastics
significantly improve the
material’s mechanical
properties, providing
enhances chemical
resistance, heat resistance
and structural integrity.
Thermoset plastics are often
used for sealed products due
to their resistance to
deformation.
Pros  Highly recyclable
 Aesthetically-superior finishes
 High-impact resistance
 Remolding/reshaping
capabilities
 Chemical resistant
 Hard crystalline or rubbery
surface options
 Eco-friendly manufacturing
 More resistant to high
temperatures than
thermoplastics
 Highly flexible design
 Thick to thin wall
capabilities
 Excellent aesthetic
appearance
 High levels of
dimensional stability
 Cost-effective
Cons  Generally more expensive than
thermoset
 Can melt if heated
 Cannot be recycled
 More difficult to surface
finish
 Cannot be remolded or
reshaped