Structure of Thermosets are linear chain molecules but with strong primary bonds between

thermosetting adjacent polymer chains (or cross links). This gives thermosets a rigid 3D structure.
plastics
On first heating, the polymer softens and can be moulded into shape under pressure.
However, the heat triggers a chemical reaction in which the molecules become
permanently locked together. As a result the polymer becomes permanently ‘set’ and
cannot be softened again by heating. Examples of thermosetting plastics are
polyurethane, urea formaldehyde, melamine resin and epoxy resin.

Material Properties Applications

Polyurethane strong electrical insulator (resistance) Wheels, foam, varnish,

good tensile and compressive strength paint and glue
good thermal resistance
can be fairly hard and tough
can be easily bonded
can be flexible and elastic

Urea-formaldehyde high tensile (tension) strength Tableware

high heat distortion temperatures Worktop laminates
low water absorption Buttons
high surface hardness Electrical casings
weight/volume resistance

Melamine resin high electrical resistivity kitchen utensils plates,

very low thermal conductivity/ high heat camping bowls (not
resistance microwave safe)kitchen
hard/ solid utensils and plates,
 scratch resistant laminated benchtops
stain resistant
available in a range of thicknesses
and sizes

Epoxy resin Tough Construction of aircraft

Chemical resistance (also water) boats and cars, also are
Fatigue and mechanical strength used in electrical
(Tensile strength and circuits and general
compressive strength) purpose adhesive and
Electrical insulation with glass reinforced
Temperature resistant plastics
(maintains form and strength)
(Though some are vulnerable to light)
Can be used on metal (The adhesive)

Temperature and - Thermoplastics soften when heated and harden and strengthen after cooling.
recycling
thermoplastics and - Thermoplastics can be heated, shaped and cooled as often as necessary
thermoset without causing a chemical change, while thermosetting plastics will burn when
plastics heated after the initial molding.

- Non-reversible effect of temperature on a thermoset contribute to it not being

able to be recycled. Heating increases the number of permanent cross-links
and so hardens the plastic, so therefore cannot be recycled

Recovery​ and Nearly all types of plastics can be recycled, however the extent to which they are
disposal​ of plastics recycled depends upon technical, economic and logistic factors. As a valuable and
finite resource, the optimum recovery route for most plastic items at the ‘end-of-life’ is
Thermoplastics​: to be recycled, preferably back into a product that can then be recycled again and
Heat, Reshape, Cool again and so on. The UK uses over 5 million tonnes of plastic each year of which an
estimated 24% is currently being recovered or recycled.
Thermosetting
Plastics: Landfill, Recycling​: Turning waste into a new substance or product. Includes composting if it
incinerate meets quality protocols.
● Provides a sustainable source of raw materials to industry
Biodegradable ● Greatly reduces the environmental impact of plastic-rich products which give off
harmful pollutants in manufacture and when incinerated
Plastics: Bury in the
● Minimises the amount of plastic being sent to the landfill sites
ground, landfill
● Avoids the consumption of the Earth’s oil stocks
● Consumes less energy than producing new, virgin polymers
 ● Encourages a sustainable lifestyle among children and young-adults

Bioplastics​: To reduce the problems of disposing of plastics they can be designed

to be biodegradable, known as bioplastics. These are plastics derived from renewable
sources, such as vegetable fats and oils, corn starch, pea starch or microbiota.

Production of oil based plastics tends to require more fossil fuels and to produce more
greenhouse gases than the production of biobased polymers (bioplastics).

Some, but not all, bioplastics are designed to biodegrade. Biodegradable bioplastics
can break down in either anaerobic or aerobic environments, depending on how they
are manufactured. Bioplastics can be composed of starches, cellulose, biopolymers,
and a variety of other materials.