thermosetting plastic. Compare with thermoplastic. A polymer that solidifies on heating and cannot be remelted. The setting action results from crosslinking of the polymer chains at high temperature- a process that is not reversed by cooling and reheating. Found on http://antoine.frostburg.edu/chem/senese/101/glossary/t.shtml
Said of plastics which harden when their polymer chains reticulate in response to heat, radiation and/or a reagent. The chemical bonds thus formed make the material insoluble, more rigid and more temperature-resistant. After reticulation, thermosetting polymers cannot be softened or mechanically recycled without first being broken down
Found on http://www.encyclo.co.uk/visitor-contributions.php
thermoset, thermosetting 1. A classification for materials that become hardened or cured by the application of heat; such as, acrylic resin. 2. A description of a group of polymers which soften when initially heated, then harden and condense in bulk and retain a permanent shape. They cannot be softened or reprocessed by reheating. Found on http://www.wordinfo.info/words/index/info/view_unit/4265/27
thermosetadjective having the property of becoming permanently hard and rigid when heated or cured; `the phenol resins and plastics were the original synthetic thermosetting materials` Found on https://www.encyclo.co.uk/local/20974
A plastic material that can be softened and molded but cannot be re-used or reverted to its original state. Found on https://www.encyclo.co.uk/local/21120