Once these plastics are formed, reheating will cause the material to decompose rather than melt. Each plastic has very distinct characteristics, but most plastics have the following general attributes. Plastics can be very resistant to chemicals. Consider all the cleaning fluids in your home that are packaged in plastic. The warning labels describing what happens when the chemical comes into contact with skin or eyes or is ingested, emphasizes the chemical resistance of these materials.
Plastics can be both thermal and electrical insulators.
A walk through your house will reinforce this concept. Consider all the electrical appliances, cords, outlets and wiring that are made or covered with plastics. Thermal resistance is evident in the kitchen with plastic pot and pan handles, coffee pot handles, the foam core of refrigerators and freezers, insulated cups, coolers and microwave cookware. The thermal underwear that many skiers wear is made of polypropylene and the fiberfill in many winter jackets is acrylic. Generally, plastics are very light in weight with varying degrees of strength.