Thermosoftening and Thermosetting Polymers

• Give an example of thermosoftening polymer?

  Polyethene
• Thermosoftening polymers consist of individual polymer chains that are tangled together (like spaghetti) - they also have weak intermolecular forces between all of the polymer chains and soften on heating
• Give an example of a thermosetting polymer?

  Melamine
• Thermosetting polymers consist of polymer chains that are joined together by cross-links - they also do not melt when they are heated