Which type of plastic can be easily distorted and returned to its normal shape?

Flexible plastics are designed to have the ability to be easily distorted and return to their original shape. This property is due to their molecular structure, which allows for greater flexibility and resilience compared to other types of plastics.

When flexible plastic is subjected to stress, it can bend, twist, or stretch without permanent deformation. This characteristic makes flexible plastics ideal for applications where some level of movement or impact is expected, such as in automotive components or protective coverings.

In contrast, rigid plastics do not share this adaptability and tend to break or crack under excessive pressure. Hard plastics have similar limitations in that they can be brittle, while foam plastics, while lightweight and offering cushioning, do not provide the same level of recoverability as flexible plastics. Thus, the inherent properties of flexible plastics make them the best choice for applications that require resilience and the ability to return to their original shape after deformation.