Arizona State Board Nail Technology Practice Exam

Which process is NOT included in the chemical reaction that creates polymers?

1. Curing

2. Hardening

3. Melting

4. Polymerization

The correct answer is: Melting

The process referred to as melting does not play a role in the chemical reaction that creates polymers. In polymer science, polymerization entails the chemical bonding of monomers to create long-chain molecules known as polymers. This process typically involves curing and hardening, where the polymer undergoes chemical changes that result in a solid structure. Melting, on the other hand, is a physical change, not a chemical one. It pertains to transitioning a solid polymer back to a liquid state upon heating, which does not facilitate the formation of polymers but rather affects the properties of existing ones. Understanding this distinction is crucial in the study of materials used in nail technology, as it influences how products are formulated and employed in nail treatments.