What type of plastic is Urea Formaldehyde?

Urea formaldehyde is classified as a thermosetting plastic, which means that once it is cured through a chemical process or heat, it becomes rigid and cannot be remolded or reshaped. This property is due to the cross-linking of the polymer chains that occurs during the curing process, resulting in a material that retains its form and strength under high temperatures and doesn't melt like thermoplastic materials do.

Thermosetting plastics like urea formaldehyde are commonly used in applications that require durability and resistance to heat, such as electrical casings, adhesives, and molded items, because they are hard and non-malleable after setting. This characteristic makes them distinct from thermoplastics, which can be repeatedly melted and reshaped.