An additional method of classifying polymers

other than by their spatial structure is according

to whether they are thermoplastic or thermosetting. The term thermoplastic refers to polymers that may be softened by heating and solidify on cooling, the process being repeatable.
Typical examples of polymers of this type
are poly(methy1 methacrylate), polyethylenepolyvinylacetate, and polystyrene. The term thermosetting refers to plastics that solidify during
fabrication but cannot be softened by reheating.
These polymers generally become nonfusible
because of a crosslinking reaction and the formation of a spacial structure. Typical dental examples are cross-linked poly(methy1 methacrylate), silicones, cis-polyisoprene, and bisphenol
ACx