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.