Question

Classify the following into thermoset and thermoplastic:
a)Melamine b) thermocot.

Answer 1

Polymers are materials made of long, repeating chains of molecules.
Polymers are classified into four categories :
1.Thermoplastic
2.Thermosetting
3.Fibres
4.Elastomer

Complete step by step solution:
We know that, Polymers are materials made of long, repeating chains of molecules. The materials have unique properties, depending on the type of molecules being bonded and how they are bonded.
Polymers are classified into four categories:
1.Thermoplastic
2.Thermosetting
3.Fibres
4.Elastomer
We can define all these four types of polymer as follows:
Elastomers: These are the molecules which have the weak intermolecular forces. They are very elastic.
Examples are: Natural rubber, neoprene, Buna-S
Thermoplastic: All the plastic material which can be softened and melted by heating but they set again when cool, are called thermoplastic polymers.
Examples are: Polyethylene, Polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride
Thermosetting: They are generally a liquid at room temperature which hardens irreversibly on heating.
Examples are: Polyurethane, Bakelite
Fibres: These are the polymers which have the strong intermolecular force between the chains.
Examples are: Polyvinyl chloride, phenol formaldehyde.
Now in the question we are given with two polymers i.e. melamine and thermocot. Let us first talk about these terms.
Melamine is a compound which is used to manufacture cooking utensils, plates and plastic products. Melamine is used to make utensils because melamine resin is durable, fire and heat resistance.

Melamine is the example of a thermosetting polymer.
Thermocot is an example of thermoplastic polymer because they can be reused.

Note:
The order of strength in these different types of polymers is:
Elastomers $<$ Thermoplastic $<$ Fibres $<$ Thermosetting