A manufacturer is choosing a material to make a handle for a metal saucepan.
| Property | Thermosetting polymer | Thermoplastic polymer | Metal (Steel) | Wood |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flexibility | Low | High | Low | Low |
| Thermal conductivity | Low | Low | High | Low |
| Effect of heating | Does not melt | Softens / melts | Melts at very high temp | Burns (does not melt) |
| Reaction with water | No reaction | No reaction | Slow rusting | Swells / absorbs water |
Explain, using information from the table, why a thermosetting polymer is a suitable material to make a saucepan handle.
Practise Edexcel GCSE Chemistry Polymers with exam-style questions for Foundation and Higher tier. 62 questions, matched to the Edexcel GCSE Chemistry (1CH0) specification and written in Paper 1 and Paper 2 style. Every question includes a full worked solution and mark scheme, so you can see where marks are awarded rather than just whether you got the answer right.
