When hot water is placed into an empty water bottle, the bottle keeps its shape and does not soften. What type of plastic is the water bottle made from?

Concept:

• The plastic which gets deformed easily on heating and can be bent easily are known as Thermoplastics. Polythene and PVC are some of the examples of Thermoplastics.
• Thermoplastics are used for manufacturing toys, combs and various types of containers.
• The plastics which keeps its shape and does not soften i.e the plastics which when moulded once, can not be softened by heating are called Thermosetting plastics.
• Thermosetting plastics are synthesized by condensation polymerization and have primary bonds between molecular chains and held together by strong cross links.
• Thermosetting plastics have a high melting point and tensile strength as compared to thermoplastics.