Q
why do polymers not melt and become liquid when heated
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Polymer materials, especially thermosetting polymers, do not melt into liquids when heated due to their unique molecular structures and bonding characteristics. Most polymers consist of long chains of molecules. In thermoplastic polymers, these chains are held together by relatively weak intermolecular forces. When heat is applied, these forces weaken, allowing the chains to slide past one another, which results in melting. However, thermosetting polymers have a more complex structure. They contain strong covalent cross-links between polymer chains, creating a three-dimensional network. These cross-links significantly increase the material's thermal stability and mechanical strength. When thermosets are heated, rather than melting, they decompose because breaking the strong covalent bonds requires extremely high temperatures that lead to degradation instead of liquefaction. Understanding this behavior is crucial for applications requiring high-temperature resistance, such as in aerospace, automotive, and electronics industries.
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