thermosetting

9.1

Become permanently hard when heated and cannot be melted again

adjective
/ˌθɜrməˈsɛtɪŋ/

Specialized

: termofijable

Phenol-formaldehyde is a classic thermosetting polymer used in making durable electrical parts.

Examples

Once cured, thermosetting plastics cannot be reshaped or melted down.
Epoxy adhesives are thermosetting and provide strong bonds for a variety of materials.
Phenol-formaldehyde is a classic thermosetting polymer used in making durable electrical parts.
The new thermosetting resin is perfect for our project.
Thermosetting materials are often used in construction.
Once cured, thermosetting plastics cannot be reshaped or melted down.
Epoxy adhesives are thermosetting and provide strong bonds for a variety of materials.

Synonyms

thermoset

vsthermosetting

Specialized

9.4

A material that becomes hard and cannot be melted again when heated

is the same meaning but uses a longer form of the word

Antonyms

thermoplastic

Specialized

1 6.9

Can become soft when heated and hard when cooled

Compounds

thermosetting compositions

Specialized

8.6

Materials that harden when heated and cannot be made into a new shape

thermosetting resin

Specialized

8.5

A type of plastic that hardens when heated and cannot be melted again

Surface Forms

thermosetting positive

Morphology

thermosetting = setting (semi-transparent) = thermo + set + ing

The form is analyzable as thermo- added to 'setting', but the resulting materials-science meaning is specialized and not fully predictable from everyday usage.

Etymology

Thermosetting joins thermo- meaning 'heat', as in thermometer, and setting meaning 'becoming fixed'. So a thermosetting material 'sets' when heated and becomes permanently hard, which is why it cannot be melted again.