6. Glossary

Operating window

The range of conditions (e.g., temperature, time) under which a material can be processed optimally without degradation.

Polymer

A macromolecule composed of monomers linked by covalent bonds.

Plasticizer

A molecule that makes a plastic material flexible and is generally used to facilitate the processing of polymers through thermomechanical processes (e.g., extrusion, thermoforming, fused 3D printing) by lowering their processing temperature.

Glass transition

For an amorphous polymer, this refers to the transition from a glassy state (rigid material) to a rubbery state (soft material) upon heating. In the case of certain natural polymers, such as starch, the material’s absorption of water can cause...