Question

Which of the following is thermoplastic?
A. PVC
B. Polystyrene
C. Nylon
D. All of the above

Answer 1

We know that plastic is a polymerized product. When plastic is heated, it melts and after cooling it is given a particular shape. These plastics are called thermoplastics. When the plastics are heated, they soften. While it gets hardened when it is cooled.

Complete step by step answer:
Thermoplastics are different from thermosetting plastics. Thermosetting plastics cannot be reshaped into different forms while thermoplastics can be reshaped.
Different shapes can be obtained when the plastics are heated. When the plastics are warmed, it loses their shape and after cooling it retains its shape.
The melting point of thermoplastics are very high. When thermoplastics are heated up to its melting point, then it turns its phase to a liquid form.
Now let’s focus on the given options.
PVC is polyvinyl chloride. It is a polymer from the name itself. It has the properties of thermoplastics. It softens on heating and hardens on cooling. Similarly, polystyrene and nylon. As we know that nylon is a silky material. When it is melted, it forms fibers.
Thus all of them are thermoplastics.

Hence, the correct option is D.

Additional information:
Fibers are added in thermoplastics so that their properties like heat distortion temperature, wear and resistance to any scratches will be increased. This also increases tensile strength of the thermoplastics.

Note:
We may confuse thermoplastic with thermosetting plastics. Thermoplastics have low molecular weight while thermosetting plastics have high molecular weight. Synthesis of thermoplastics is by addition polymerization. While synthesis of thermosetting plastics is by condensation polymerization.