What characterizes thermoplastic materials?

Thermoplastic materials are characterized by their ability to be remolded upon heating. This property arises because thermoplastics are made up of long polymer chains that can slide past one another when heat is applied. When a thermoplastic is heated, it softens and can be shaped or molded into various forms. Upon cooling, it solidifies again, retaining the new shape, and this process can be repeated multiple times without significant degradation of the material.

In contrast, thermosetting materials require a chemical change during the curing process, which makes them hard and inflexible after they set. They cannot be remolded or reshaped after curing. The concept of pot life, which refers to the time a mixed material remains usable, is more relevant to thermosetting systems, which undergo cross-linking as they cure. While some thermoplastics may be used as adhesives, they are not primarily defined by that characteristic; adhesives can also encompass other types of materials, including thermosetting types.

Therefore, the ability to be remolded upon heating is a fundamental characteristic of thermoplastic materials, clearly distinguishing them from other types of polymers.