What are the two morphologies of thermoplastics?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking about the two primary structural arrangements (morphologies) that thermoplastic polymers can adopt. Thermoplastics can either be amorphous, where the polymer chains are randomly arranged, or crystalline (or semi-crystalline), where the polymer chains are arranged in a more ordered, repeating pattern.
Answer
Amorphous and Semi-Crystalline
The two morphologies of thermoplastics are Amorphous and Semi-Crystalline.
Answer for screen readers
The two morphologies of thermoplastics are Amorphous and Semi-Crystalline.
More Information
The two main types of thermoplastic polymers are amorphous and semi-crystalline. The arrangement of the molecules determines these categories. In amorphous thermoplastics, the molecules are randomly arranged, while in semi-crystalline thermoplastics, the molecules are partially arranged in an ordered, crystal-like structure.
Tips
It is important to not confuse the morphology of thermoplastics with thermosets. Thermosets are a different class of polymers that undergo irreversible chemical changes during curing, forming a rigid, cross-linked network structure.
Sources
- Thermoplastics - An Introduction - AZoM - azom.com
- 6: Morphology - Engineering LibreTexts - eng.libretexts.org
- The Difference Between Amorphous & Semi-crystalline Polymers - blog.impactplastics.co
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