thermoplastics

Thermoplastics can be reformed several times. sensitive to heat, usually return to origanl form if heated.

POLYCARBONATE- PC: 

properties & characteristics: good chemical resistance, expensive material.

uses: very tough products, protective shields, safety glasses, safety halmets, hairdryer doies, telephone parts, vandal proof street light covers

POLYETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE (PET)

properties& characteristics: crystal clear, tough, good resistance to moisture, durable. 

uses: drinks bottle, oven proof film (ready meals), food packaging, clothing, plug sockets, audio tapes, insulation tapes.

POLYVINYL CHLORIDE- uPVC

good chemical resistance to weathering, rigid, hard, toug, lightwieght, can be coloured. used as pipes, guttering, bottles and windows frames

POLYVINYL CHLORIDE ( un- plasticised, flexible) PVC:

properties & characteristics:  good chemical resistance, good resistance to weathering, ridged, hard, tough, lightwieght, can be coloured

uses: flexible hose e.g. hose pipes, cable insulation, vacuum forming packaging.

POLYSTYRENE (PS)- rigid

properties & characteristics: brittle, colourless, low impact strength

uses: CD cases, pen trays, disposable cups and plates

POLYSTYRENE (PS)- EXPANDED

properties & characteristics: usually white, light, buoyant/ floats, good sound and heat insulator, weak, comes apart easily.

uses: packaging, heat insulation, displays, disposable cups.

HDPE:

properties & characteristics: clear and coloured, high density, tough, stiff, good resistance to household chemicals

uses: bins, containers, toys, bottles, mil crates, chemical drums.

LDPE: 

properties & characteristics:low density, comes in different colours, durable, flexible, low stiffness and ridgidy, resists chemicals.

uses: detergent bottles, plastic bags, lids, wrapping film.

POLYPROPYLENE (PP):

properties & characteristics: flexible, resists cracking _ good impact, resistance even at low temps, chemical resistance, strong, lightweight, food safe.

uses: furniture, built in hinges e.g. shampoo bottles, kitchen products - containers, medical equipment, string / rope.

HIGH IMPACT POLYSTYRENE (HIPS):

properties & characteristics: good impact resistance, good strength and stiffness, lightweight

uses: toys, refrigerator linings

NYLON:

properties & characteristics: creamy colour, tough, fairly hard, resists wear, self-lubrcating, good resistance to chemicals and machines

uses: bearings, gears, curtain rail fittings, clothing

POLY METHYL ACRYLATE PMMA- ACRYLIC:

properties & characteristics: brittle, scratches easily, tough, hard, comes in variety of colours, food safe, easily machined

uses: signs, baths storage boxes, display units, light units, lenses for car lights.

ABS_ Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene

properties & characteristics: high impact strength, giving good toughness with good strength, scratch resistant, lightweight and durable

uses: kitchen products, mobile phone cases, PC monitors, safety helmets, toys, some car parts, domestic telephones.

CELLULOSE ACETATE - CA

properties & characteristics: tough and rigid, lightweight with good strength, transparent and non-flammable.

uses: photographic film, handles for cutlery, cupboard door knobs, frames for glasses.

MELAMINE FORMALDEHYDE: 

properties & characteristics: rigid, good strength and hardness, scratch-resistance, can be coloured.

uses: table ware, decorative laminates for work surfaces like on kitchen worktops.

EPOXY RESIN:

properties & characteristics:  high strength when reinforced with fibres (GRP) good chemical resistance, hard, brittle, heat resistant, good electrical insulator.

uses: liquid 2 part glue, surface coating, encapsulation for electronic components. 

POLYESTER RESIN:

properties & characteristics: stiff, hard, good heat and chemical resistance, good outdoors, takes colour well. (stronger when laminated which makes glass reinforced plastic - GRP)

uses: casting used in GRP like : boats, car bodies, garden furniture, large structures.

UREA FORMALDEHYDE (UF):

properties & characteristics: generally white, tough, brittle, rigid, good electrical insulator

uses:electronic fittings, plugs, light switches.