Question

What are thermosetting polymers?

Answer 1

The polymers that, on heating, change irreversibly into hard, rigid and infusible materials are called thermosetting polymers. Thermosetting polymers are usually produced by heating semi-fluid polymers of relatively low molecular mass in a mould. On heating, they become infusible and yield an insoluble, hard mass. The hardening upon heating results from the significant cross-linking of different polymeric chains.