Thermosetting polymers like Bakelite and Melamine-formaldehyde resin become permanently infusible and insoluble upon their initial heating in a mold. From a mechanistic standpoint, which fundamental c

Question

Thermosetting polymers like Bakelite and Melamine-formaldehyde resin become permanently infusible and insoluble upon their initial heating in a mold. From a mechanistic standpoint, which fundamental chemical process is responsible for this irreversible change?

Prashant Kotian · Accepted Answer

Correct answer: B. Thermosetting polymers are heavily branched prepolymers. Heating them in a mold provides the activation energy needed to form extensive covalent chemical bonds (cross-links) between the chains. This transforms the material into a single, giant 3D network molecule that cannot melt or dissolve without breaking chemical bonds (decomposing).

💡 Solution & Explanation

Practice 22,000+ questions like this