Plastic parts that are hardened when heated are called

Plastic parts that are hardened when heated are called

• A. Thermoplastic
• B. Elastomer
• C. Resin
• D. Thermoset

Answer: (D)

Thermosets are plastics that harden permanently when heated. They cure through a chemical reaction that creates a cross-linked network, so once set, they won’t soften or melt with further heating. This gives high rigidity and dimensional stability, which is why they’re used for parts that must keep shape under heat. Thermoplastics soften and can be melted for reshaping, elastomers are highly elastic polymers, and resins is a broad term that doesn’t specify this hardening behavior.

Thermosets are plastics that harden permanently when heated. They cure through a chemical reaction that creates a cross-linked network, so once set, they won’t soften or melt with further heating. This gives high rigidity and dimensional stability, which is why they’re used for parts that must keep shape under heat. Thermoplastics soften and can be melted for reshaping, elastomers are highly elastic polymers, and resins is a broad term that doesn’t specify this hardening behavior.