Thermosetting

UHMW stands for Ultra High Molecular Weight. Now it depends what the monomer is. UHMWPE would be thermoplastic not thermoset. But other UHMW polymers can be thermoset. It depends.

Thermoplastic and thermoset materials both fall under the broad category of Polymers. The biggest difference between a thermoplastic and thermoset is that a thermoplastic can be recycled. Whereas a thermoset irreversibly cure. Thermoplastic: PE, PP, PVC. Thermoset: Bakelite, Epoxy.

A plastic spoon is a thermoplastic. If heated further, it becomes pliant and it can be melted or remolded.

thermoplastec