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Thermosoftening polymers are designed to be reshaped and remolded when heated, which makes them particularly suitable for recycling processes. When heated, the chains of thermosoftening polymers become free to move past one another, allowing the material to melt. This property enables the polymer to be reformed into new shapes or products without undergoing any chemical change during the process.
In contrast, thermosetting polymers are rigid and do not melt upon heating; they undergo a curing process that makes them hard and inflexible. Composite polymers are generally made from a combination of materials to enhance specific properties but do not inherently define behavior in terms of melting. Conductive polymers are tailored for their electrical properties and do not directly relate to melting or recycling.
The key attribute of thermosoftening polymers is their ability to be repeatedly melted and reformed, which greatly facilitates recycling efforts in industries relying on such materials.