Which of the following is a category of plastic shaping processes?

The correct answer, which identifies a category of plastic shaping processes, focuses on continuous extruded products. This process involves the continuous shaping of plastic materials as they are melted and forced through a die, forming long shapes such as pipes, sheets, and films. This technique is characterized by its efficiency and ability to produce standardized dimensions and profiles over long lengths.

Thermal forming of plastics involves heating plastic sheets until they are pliable and then forming them into desired shapes, which represents a different aspect of plastic manipulation rather than a continuous shaping process. Mechanical shaping typically refers to processes such as cutting, drilling, or milling, which alter the shape of pre-formed plastic rather than shaping the plastic from a raw state. Recycling of plastics is primarily concerned with reprocessing used plastics to create new products rather than shaping plastics in a manufacturing context. Thus, continuous extruded products stand out as a distinct category that fits the definition of plastic shaping processes.