Thermosoftening & Thermosetting Polymers (Oxford AQA IGCSE Chemistry)
Revision Note
Written by: Alexandra Brennan
Reviewed by: Stewart Hird
Thermosoftening & Thermosetting Polymers
Extended Tier Only
Polymers can also be divided into thermosoftening and thermosetting polymers
Thermosetting polymers consist of chains which have strong cross-links between them
These polymers are strong and rigid structures that don’t melt when they are heated because lots of energy would be required to overcome the cross-links
They are commonly used in electrical plugs
Thermosoftening polymers consist of individual, tangled chains with no cross-links between them
These polymers therefore have low melting points, can be melted and remoulded to form different shapes
They are commonly used to make packaging and plastic bottles
The structures of thermosetting and thermosoftening polymers
Examiner Tips and Tricks
If you are asked to explain the difference in properties, it is important to refer to the cross-links as it is the presence of these that affects the melting point of the polymer.
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