thermoplastic
Reheatable shaping material
Thermoplastic describes a type of plastic that softens when heated and hardens when cooled, a process that can be repeated.
Unlike thermoset plastics, which permanently harden after being shaped, thermoplastics can be melted and remolded: PVC and polyethylene are common thermoplastics.
The word also functions as a noun for such materials.
Large repeated-unit molecule
- polyethyleneThermoplastic from ethylene gas
- polypropyleneVersatile thermoplastic resin
- polystyreneLightweight synthetic foam plastic
- PVCChlorinated plastic abbreviation
ABS · nylon · polycarbonate · acrylic · PET · HDPE · polyamide · resin
Solid-to-liquid transition
- softeningBecoming less firm
- thermoformingShaping softened plastic sheets
- heat-sealFuse materials using warmth
- extrusionPushing through a die
weldability · annealing · calendering · viscosity · amorphous · crystallinity · reflow · shrinkage
Giving something its form
- castingShaping through liquid form
- formableAble to be molded
- workableAble to be implemented
- sculptableCapable of being carved
pellets · granules · preform · tooling · die · manipulable · malleability · transformable
Capable of bending easily
- bendableAble to curve
- ductileAble to deform permanently
- elasticAble to stretch, rebounds
- suppleFlexing without damage
pliant · malleable · stretchable · yielding · resilient · tensile · springy · soft
Durable and strong
- hard-wearingResistant to damage
- long-lastingPersisting over extended time
- robustStrong and durable
- wear-resistantAble to withstand friction
impact-resistant · chemical-resistant · UV-resistant · weatherable · abrasion-resistant · sturdy · rugged · reinforced
Forming close connections
- laminatingBonding protective plastic layers
- sealingMaking impermeable
- filmMovie or coating
- tapeAdhesive strip on roll
Capable of being reworked
- regrindPulverize a second time
- pelletizingForming compressed small rounds
- sustainabilityCapacity to endure indefinitely
- post-consumerUsed then discarded material
post-industrial · sortable · reclaim · remoldable · eco-friendly · downcycle · life-cycle
polymer
Large repeated-unit molecule
- polyethyleneThermoplastic from ethylene gas
- polypropyleneVersatile thermoplastic resin
- polystyreneLightweight synthetic foam plastic
PVC · ABS · nylon · polycarbonate · acrylic · PET · HDPE · polyamide · resin · petrochemical
melting
Solid-to-liquid transition
- softeningBecoming less firm
- thermoformingShaping softened plastic sheets
- heat-sealFuse materials using warmth
extrusion · weldability · annealing · calendering · viscosity · amorphous · crystallinity · reflow · shrinkage
shaping
Giving something its form
sculptable · pellets · granules · preform · tooling · die · manipulable · malleability · transformable
pliable
Capable of bending easily
supple · pliant · malleable · stretchable · yielding · resilient · tensile · springy · soft · adaptable
tough
Durable and strong
- hard-wearingResistant to damage
- long-lastingPersisting over extended time
- robustStrong and durable
wear-resistant · impact-resistant · chemical-resistant · UV-resistant · weatherable · abrasion-resistant · sturdy · rugged · reinforced · stable
bonding
Forming close connections
- laminatingBonding protective plastic layers
- sealingMaking impermeable
- filmMovie or coating
tape · coating · encapsulation
reprocessable
Capable of being reworked
- regrindPulverize a second time
- pelletizingForming compressed small rounds
- sustainabilityCapacity to endure indefinitely
post-consumer · post-industrial · sortable · reclaim · remoldable · eco-friendly · downcycle · life-cycle
- Synthetic Materialsnylon, polyester, acrylic, polymer, synthetic fibers
- cosplaycosplayer, costume, props, wig, makeup
- heat-activatedshrink wrap, mood ring, solder, hot glue, iron-on patch
- insulatorsrubber, insulator, glass, dielectric, electrical tape
- plastics manufacturinginjection molding, extrusion, thermoforming, vacuum forming, resin
- road markingscenter line, centerline, lane line, double yellow, lane lines
thermoplasticthermoset
Permanently cross-linked polymer
vulcanized rubber · epoxy · bakelite · melamine · epoxy resin