Plastics
LDPE (low density polythene)
Properties:
Common
Flexible
Tough
Good electrical insulator
Good chemical resistance
Uses:
Squeezy bottles, packaging food wrap, plastic bags and wire insulation.
HDPE (high density polythene)
Properties:
Stiffer, stronger and harder than LDPE
Uses:
Bottles, pipes, buckets, bowls.
PP (polypropylene)
Properties:
Popular
Low density
Tough
Good chemical resistance
high melting point
can be sterilized
Uses:
Plastic seats, medical equipment, kitchenware, containers with built hinges, string ropes, nets and crates.
HIPS (high impact polystyrene)
Properties:
High impact resistance
Uses:
Housing
Vacuum forming
ABS (Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene)
Properties:
Tough
Good aesthetic qualities
Uses:
Housings, kitchenware, Lego blocks, prototypes.
PET (Polyethylene terephthalate)
Properties:
Very popular
dimensional stability
lightweight
Tough
Safe
Uses:
Water/soft/juice drink bottles, food containers, synthetic fibers, adhesives
Polyvinyl chloride uPVC
Properties:
Stiff
Hard
Tough
Good weather and chemical resistance
Uses:
Pipes, gutters, roof sheets and window frames.
Plasticized PVC
Properties:
Soft
Flexible
Rubbery material
Good electrical insulator
Uses:
Wire insulation, waterproof clothing, leather clothes, inflatable products and garden hose pipes.
Thermoset Plastics
Urea-formaldehyde
Properties:
Stiff
Hard
Strong
Brittle
Heat resistant
Good electrical insulator
Uses:
electrical fittings, control knobs, domestic appliance parts, wood adhesives, textile
Melamine-resin:
Properties:
Similar urea-formaldehyde, but more moisture-resistant, harder and stronger.
Uses:
tableware
laminates
Epoxy resin (ER)
Properties:
Bonds well
Good chemical resistance
Uses:
Adhesives
Polyurethane
Properties:
low density flexible foam
low density rigid foam
soft, durable, strong.
Uses:
upholstery, mattresses and vehicle seating.
Thermal insulation, steering, dashboards.
wheels, adhesives, coatings.