thermoplastic
thermoplastic — adjective
1. describing a substance, especially a plastic, that becomes soft and easy to shap
describing a substance, especially a plastic, that becomes soft and easy to shape when heated, and becomes hard again after it cools down
Many parts in Christopher's bicycle are made of thermoplastic materials that can be recycled.
thermoplastic + noun (materials / parts)
The factory uses a thermoplastic glue that melts when heated and hardens as it cools.
Thermoplastic polymers are common in 3D printing because they soften under heat.
Unlike thermosetting plastics, thermoplastic substances can be melted and reshaped many times.
Isabela chose a thermoplastic filament for her 3D printer because it was easy to shape.
- thermosetting
describes materials that harden permanently after one heating and cannot be reshaped
用法筆記
Frequently used attributively before nouns such as material, polymer, resin, or filament. Contrasts with thermosetting, which describes materials that set permanently after one heating.
常見錯誤
thermoplastic — noun
1. a type of plastic that softens upon heating so that it can be molded into a new
a type of plastic that softens upon heating so that it can be molded into a new shape, and becomes hard and stiff again once it cools down
Noor used a thermoplastic for her kitchen knife handle because it is strong and lightweight.
a + thermoplastic (countable, singular)
Thermoplastics like acrylic and nylon are common in everyday household products.
Thermoplastics like [examples]
The engineer tested a new thermoplastic that stays flexible even in cold weather.
Ravindra learned to shape thermoplastics by heating them with a hot-air gun.
- thermoset
a plastic that hardens permanently after one heating cycle
用法筆記
Can be used as a countable noun for individual types (a thermoplastic, several thermoplastics) or as an uncountable mass noun for the material category in general.