Plastics

Introduction

Plastics are high molecular weight compounds which can be easily moldable to any desired shape.

Types of Plastics

1.     Natural plastics

Plastics which are available on earth directly, which can be made pure with just purification are called as Natural plastics.

Ex: Lac, Resin Casein etc.

2.     Synthetic plastics

Plastics which are formed by manmade processes are called as Synthetic Plastics.

Ex: Polythene, Bakelite etc.

Engineering Plastics

Plastics generally used for making products are called as Engineering Plastics. They are classified into two types.

1.     Thermo Plastics

Plastics which are made by Addition Polymerization are called as Thermo Plastics. They can be remolded again and again. So they are also called as Recyclable Plastics.

Examples

·         ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene and Styrene)

·         HIPS (High Impact Polystyrene)

·         PP (Polypropylene)

·         Nylon (Polyamide)

·         Polycarbonate

·         PVC (Poly Vinyl Chloride)

·         SAN (Styrene acrylonitrile Resin)

2.     Thermosetting Plastics

Plastics which are made by Condensation Polymerization are called as Thermosetting Plastics. They can’t be remolded again and again. They are non recyclable plastics.

Ex: Epoxy Resin, Polyester Resin, Vinyl ester Resin etc.

Applications of Plastics

Plastics are used for making variety of components. Now-a-Days, These are used for almost everything.

1.      ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene and Styrene)

• ·         Refrigeration Industry
• ·         3D Building Materials
• ·         Machine Prototype Construction
• ·         Pipes
• ·         Fittings
• ·         Vacuum Construction
• ·         Keyboard Keys
• ·         Power-Tool Housing
• ·         Wall Socket Face-Guard

2.      HIPS (High Impact Polystyrene)

• ·         Consumer products: Appliance components, toy, TV and audio-visual equipment parts, recording tape cassettes, bicycle trailer, toys
• ·         Automotive industry: Instrument panels and fittings, gasoline tanks
• ·         Food Services: Hot and cold drinking cups
• ·         Office Products: Computer Housings

3.      PP (Polypropylene)

• ·         Automotive Applications
• ·         Household Goods
• ·         Film
• ·         Containers
• ·         Appliances
• ·         Packaging
• ·         Electrical/Electronic Applications
• ·         Industrial Applications
• ·         General Purpose

4.      Nylon (Polyamide)

• ·         Fabric
• ·         Cookware
• ·         Mechanical Fasteners

5.      Polycarbonate

• ·         clear windows on prototype models
• ·         color tinted translucent prototypes
• ·         clear tubes for sports equipment prototypes
• ·         diffusers and light pipes for LEDs
• ·         clear molds for urethane and silicone casting
• ·         3D printed models for high heat applications when ABS is not an option
• ·         machinery guards

6.      PVC (Poly Vinyl Chloride)

• ·         Building and Construction
• ·         Household
• ·         Health Care Products

7.      SAN (Styrene acrylonitrile Resin)

• ·         Industrial uses: Battery cases, dials, knobs, switches, lenses
• ·         Consumer Products: Cups, toothbrush handles, trays, containers, covers, cassette cases, disposable lighters, mixers, juicers, pencil cases, stereo dust covers, hangers, cosmetic containers
• ·         Medical Applications: Autoclavable devices, dental & medical light diffusers.
• ·         Electrical/Electronic: Battery housings, telephone components, radios, CD-players, meter covers, air conditioner impellers