Which material is NOT a thermoset?

Prepare for the Leaving Certificate Technology exam. Explore materials technology with multiple choice questions and detailed explanations. Master your exam content quickly and accurately. Boost your confidence and ace the exam on the first try!

Multiple Choice

Which material is NOT a thermoset?

Explanation:
When a polymer cures into a rigid, three-dimensional network, it becomes a thermoset: it hardens irreversibly and doesn’t melt under heat. Thermoplastics, by contrast, are not crosslinked; they soften, melt, and can be reshaped when heated. Epoxy resin, Bakelite, and many silicone formulations cure to permanent networks, so they are thermosets. Nylon, on the other hand, is a thermoplastic; it can be heated, melted, and reformed without staying permanently set. This is why Nylon is not a thermoset.

When a polymer cures into a rigid, three-dimensional network, it becomes a thermoset: it hardens irreversibly and doesn’t melt under heat. Thermoplastics, by contrast, are not crosslinked; they soften, melt, and can be reshaped when heated.

Epoxy resin, Bakelite, and many silicone formulations cure to permanent networks, so they are thermosets. Nylon, on the other hand, is a thermoplastic; it can be heated, melted, and reformed without staying permanently set. This is why Nylon is not a thermoset.

More practice questions