Helmets: What the hell is "thermoplastic"

[Ribenapigeon]

You see helmets manufactureres say are made of thermoplastic, what exactly does that mean though?

[Minty]

Moulded to shape via the medium of heat?
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My fingers smell of your mum.

[Fisty]

Inb4 unhelpful wall of text from teffers.

A thermoplastic, or thermosoftening plastic, is a polymer that becomes pliable or moldable above a specific temperature, and returns to a solid state upon cooling
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Quietly and consistently taking the piss.
TL1000R | Hayabusa | ZXR400 | TL1000S | Bandit 400 V
Fatter and faster than Fret

[Ribenapigeon]

Yes, fellas, but, what type of plastic are these helmets made from. I ask because im interested in what kind of paints and coatings are safe to use on helmets.

[Fisty]

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

In terms of helmets, thermoplastic means "not a composite".
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[pinkyfloyd]

We teach that the cheaper end of the spectrum of helmets, thermoplastic etc are not designed to be painted or have stickers on them. Fibreglass ones you can paint and put stickers on.

Apparently some paints and resins can react with the plastic composite.
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illuminateTHEmind wrote: I am just more evolved than most of you guys... this allows me to pick of things quickly which would have normally taken the common man years to master
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Teflon-Mike:I think I agree with just about all Pinky has said.

[haroman666]

Thermoplastics are able to be re-heated and re-moulded.

Thermo-set plastics can be formed once and once only. The only state change you can then achieve from heat is chemical breakdown (The plastic burns/blisters).

As for the type of plastic I couldnt tell you. I'd imagine some companies use one type and others use another type. Most major properties will be similar.
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The mistresses: 2000 Honda CBR600f, 2000 Honda VTR1000

[Ribenapigeon]

I didnt look on wikipedia because I thought "thermoplastic" was just some science sounding bolloks thought up by marketing so they didnt have to say "cheapoplastic"

[Shaft]

[Nick 50]

[tracks]

[Shaft]

[Ribenapigeon]

[Ariel Badger]

Rubber fetish safety socks.
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Bikers make great organ donors, get 115 on your licence today.

[Kickstart]

[Ribenapigeon]

I just bought a new helmet. Im going to see if I can find any plastic identifier markings on the old one.

[smegballs]

Well it's obviously a good thing that rioters can't into materials science....

A good barrage of acetone-filled water balloons into police lines before the charge...

[Llama-Farmer]