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Thermoplastics
Thermoplastics
Thermoplastics are a catagory of Polymers that can be reheated/formed.
(nylon, low and high density polyethylene [LDPE and HDPE], polyethylene terephthalate [PET], polyvinyl chloride [PVC], acrylic [PMMA], polystyrene [PS], polypropylene [PP], acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene [ABS])
Nylon
Nylon
A self-lubricating plastic (good for withstanding abrasive situations such as moving parts), it is often used for washers, bearings & hair combs
Properties: Low friction, tough, good chemical resistance
High density polyethylene [HDPE]
High density polyethylene [HDPE]
Buckets, milk containers, shampoo bottles, household chemical bottles
Properties: Weatherproof, tough, good chemical resistance
Low density polyethylene [LDPE]
Low density polyethylene [LDPE]
Carrier bags
Properties: tough, good chemicl resistance, weatherproof
polyethylene terephthalate [PET]
polyethylene terephthalate [PET]
single use plastic bottles, food packaging
Properties: Clear, flexible, tough and lightweight
polyvinyl chloride [PVC]
polyvinyl chloride [PVC]
Windows and hosepipes.
Properties: good weathering resistance, fire retardant
acrylic [PMMA]
acrylic [PMMA]
used for car headlights.
Properties: tough, hard, available in transparent or translucent
polystyrene [PS]
polystyrene [PS]
can come in three forms: Rigid (food packaging), High Impact (HIPS) (fridge door) and expanded (foam) for packaging
Properties: hard, rigid, tough
acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene [ABS]
acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene [ABS]
the only thermoplastic that does not begin with ‘poly’!
used for electrical casings on computers and phones etc.
Properties: extremely tough, hard, good heat resistance
Thermosetting plastics
Thermosetting plastics
Polymers that cannot be reheated/recycled
(polyester resin including GRP, melamine formaldehyde [MF], urea formaldehyde [UF] , phenol formaldehyde [PF] and epoxy resin)
melamine formaldehyde [MF]
melamine formaldehyde [MF]
Used for worktops surfaces.
Hard, opaque, heat resistant, food safe, chemical resistance
polyester resin including GRP
polyester resin including GRP
Brittle but strong with fibres such as glass or carbon. Used to make boat hulls and car body parts.
Properties: rigid, het resistant, chemical resistant, brittle
urea formaldehyde [UF]
urea formaldehyde [UF]
Used for white electrical fittings.
Properties: hard, heat resistant, good electrical insulator, brittle
phenol formaldehyde [PF]
phenol formaldehyde [PF]
An very early dark brown plastic commonly known as Bakelite but no longer made and now replaced by Urea Formaldehyde which can be coloured or white.
Properties:
epoxy resin
epoxy resin
High strength when combined with fibres. Also used as an adhesive (Araldite).
Properties: rigid, clear, hard, tough, chemical resistant
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