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Chains that can move on heating
Thermosoftening polymers have separate chains held together by intermolecular forces. On heating, those forces can be overcome sufficiently for the chains to move past one another, so the material softens and melts. Cooling allows it to become solid again. The covalent bonds along each chain are not broken during ordinary melting. This behaviour allows suitable thermosoftening waste to be melted and reshaped.
