What is the term for polymers that can be reshaped upon heating?

Thermoplastic materials are a specific category of polymers characterized by their ability to be reshaped and reformed when subjected to heat. This property arises because the molecular structure of thermoplastics consists of long, linear chains that can slide past each other when heated, allowing the material to be melted and molded into new forms. Upon cooling, these materials solidify and retain the new shape, making them versatile for various applications such as packaging, automotive parts, and containers.

In contrast, thermosetting materials are polymers that undergo a chemical change when heated, leading to a rigid structure that cannot be remolded. Composite materials are made from two or more constituent materials with different physical or chemical properties, resulting in a material with unique characteristics, but they do not inherently have the ability to be reshaped upon heating. Elastomers are polymers with viscoelastic properties, allowing them to stretch significantly and return to their original shape, yet they too do not possess the ability to be reshaped repeatedly through heating in the same way thermoplastics do. This makes thermoplastic materials the correct choice regarding their capacity for reshaping upon heat application.