What is a characteristic of thermoplastics when they are heated?

When thermoplastics are heated, a key characteristic is that they soften and can be shaped. This property allows designers and manufacturers to easily mold thermoplastics into different forms and structures through processes such as injection molding or extrusion. Upon cooling, thermoplastics retain the new shape, which makes them versatile for a variety of applications ranging from packaging to automotive components.

This characteristic distinguishes thermoplastics from thermosetting plastics, which, once set, become rigid and cannot be remolded or reshaped. Thermoplastics can undergo multiple cycles of heating and cooling without undergoing any significant chemical change, enabling flexibility in design and manufacturing processes.