The plastic consists of very long-chain flexible polymer molecules, consisting of hundreds of molecular segments. The ordinary equilibrium configuration of these molecules are coiled into a ball, with the chains intertwined. However, during the manufacturing operation, the part undergoes very rapid deformation, and the polymer chains become elongated relative to their equilibrium configuration. Then the part is rapidly cooled (below the so-called glass transition temperature) before the molecular chains have a chance to relax back to their equilibrium configuration. So the polymer chains in the final part are "frozen in" in an extended configuration. When the part is heated again above the glass transition temperature, the chains relax, and this relaxation results in a deformation and a warping of the part. This behavior is very common in the polymer processing and man-made fiber processing industries.hihiip201 said:I have noticed that, in the plastic extruded from 3d printers, plastic fork that i put near the fire during bonfires, whenever plastic is heated they tend to warp(curve up) why is that the case?
thank you
Plastic is made up of long chains of molecules that are held together by weak bonds. When heated, these bonds break and the molecules become more mobile, causing the plastic to soften and deform.
No, different types of plastic have different melting points and will behave differently when heated. For example, polyethylene has a melting point of about 130 degrees Celsius, while polystyrene melts at around 240 degrees Celsius.
Yes, it is possible to heat plastic without warping if the temperature is carefully controlled and kept below the plastic's melting point. This is often done in industrial processes to shape and mold plastic without causing warping.
Yes, the shape and thickness of the plastic can affect how it responds to heat. Thinner and more irregularly shaped pieces of plastic are more likely to warp than thicker or more uniform pieces.
In most cases, warping is permanent and cannot be reversed. However, some types of plastic may be able to be reshaped if heated again, but this is not always successful and can cause further damage to the plastic.