The word ‘thermo’ is common to both thermoplastic and thermosetting plastic variants, so it is easy to mistake one for another. In fact, similar names make it seem like these are just slight variants of each other, but in reality, the properties of thermoplastic and thermosetting plastic are very, very different; so much that not all thermoplastic suppliers deal with thermosetting variants. Some deal with only thermoplastic solutions, whereas many deal with both thermoplastic and thermosetting plastic solutions.
The process of initial manufacture is almost the same, but that is where the similarities end. The best way is to list out their distinctive pros and cons that will give you a better idea of the things that differentiate them, starting with Thermoplastic.
Thermoplastic
Thermoplastic is made of plastic pallets which are heated in a furnace. Heat applied to these plastic pellets is increased over time, until the pellets melt completely. The melted plastic is made into the plastic sheet, also called a thermoplastic sheet. These sheets, when warm, are pressed onto specific molds as required to transform them into desired products. There is no chemical bonding during the manufacturing process, allowing manufacturers to reuse the excess left out plastic for the next batches.
Major Advantages:
Recyclable: A product made of thermoplastic can be recycled to make a different product.
Strong: They have high strength and good resistance against impacts.
Better Finish: Thermoplastics offer better finishing quality than thermosetting plastics.
Chemical Resistant: They are resistant to common chemicals and some acids.
Reshaping Ability: The finished product can be reheated and reshaped to any other shape.
Major Disadvantages:
Low Melting Point: Products made of thermoplastic can easily melt under high temperatures.
Expensive: The raw pellets of plastic used to make thermoplastic are quite expensive.
Thermosetting Plastic
Thermosetting plastic is made from a different kind of plastic polymer. After undergoing heating and melting, they get fixated in the same shape as they are molded into when they cool off, unlike thermoplastic that can be reshaped. That is why a different process known as reaction injection molding process is used to set these into desired molds. The chemical bonds formed are permanent and cannot be broken.
Major Advantages:
Temperature Resistant: They cannot melt as easily as thermoplastic at high temperatures.
Flexibility: They can be used for any kind of molds as the plastic is used in liquid form when injecting to molds.
Better Stability: Thermosetting plastic is highly stable and stronger than thermoplastic.
Inexpensive: They are cheaper than thermoplastics.
Major Disadvantages:
Not Recyclable.
Poor Surface Finish.
It cannot be Reshaped like Thermoplastics.
The process of initial manufacture is almost the same, but that is where the similarities end. The best way is to list out their distinctive pros and cons that will give you a better idea of the things that differentiate them, starting with Thermoplastic.
Thermoplastic
Thermoplastic is made of plastic pallets which are heated in a furnace. Heat applied to these plastic pellets is increased over time, until the pellets melt completely. The melted plastic is made into the plastic sheet, also called a thermoplastic sheet. These sheets, when warm, are pressed onto specific molds as required to transform them into desired products. There is no chemical bonding during the manufacturing process, allowing manufacturers to reuse the excess left out plastic for the next batches.
Major Advantages:
Recyclable: A product made of thermoplastic can be recycled to make a different product.
Strong: They have high strength and good resistance against impacts.
Better Finish: Thermoplastics offer better finishing quality than thermosetting plastics.
Chemical Resistant: They are resistant to common chemicals and some acids.
Reshaping Ability: The finished product can be reheated and reshaped to any other shape.
Major Disadvantages:
Low Melting Point: Products made of thermoplastic can easily melt under high temperatures.
Expensive: The raw pellets of plastic used to make thermoplastic are quite expensive.
Thermosetting Plastic
Thermosetting plastic is made from a different kind of plastic polymer. After undergoing heating and melting, they get fixated in the same shape as they are molded into when they cool off, unlike thermoplastic that can be reshaped. That is why a different process known as reaction injection molding process is used to set these into desired molds. The chemical bonds formed are permanent and cannot be broken.
Major Advantages:
Temperature Resistant: They cannot melt as easily as thermoplastic at high temperatures.
Flexibility: They can be used for any kind of molds as the plastic is used in liquid form when injecting to molds.
Better Stability: Thermosetting plastic is highly stable and stronger than thermoplastic.
Inexpensive: They are cheaper than thermoplastics.
Major Disadvantages:
Not Recyclable.
Poor Surface Finish.
It cannot be Reshaped like Thermoplastics.
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