What type of coatings can be softened and reformed by heat?

Thermoplastic coatings are designed to soften when heated and can be reshaped or reformed upon cooling. This property arises because thermoplastics have linear or branched molecular structures that allow the material to flow when elevated temperatures are applied. Upon cooling, these materials regain their solid state without undergoing any chemical change, which is a significant advantage in various applications where flexibility and repairability are required.

In contrast, thermosetting coatings, once cured through a chemical reaction, cannot be remolded or reheated to soften. This irreversible process creates a robust and stable end product but offers no flexibility in reshaping. Acrylic coatings are a subtype of thermoplastics, typically used for their clarity and durability but don’t directly refer to the broader thermal properties as thermoplastics do. Similarly, waterborne coatings refer mainly to the vehicle used in the paint (water) rather than their thermal behavior, which does not pertain to the softening and reforming characteristic described in the question.