Distinguish between thermoplastic polymers and thermosetting polymers.

The distinguishing between thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers is as follows: Thermoplastic polymers Thermosetting polymers 1 . These are formed by addition polymerization. 1 . These are formed by condensation polymerization. 2 . They can be easily softened repeatedly on heating and hardened on cooling. 2 . They can not be softened and reshaped again on heating. 3 . They have low molecular weight. 3 . They have high molecular weight.

Elastomers are synthetic rubber. In these elastomeric polymers, the polymer chains are held together by the weakest intermolecular forces. These weak binding forces permit the polymer to be stretched.