The term was derived from the greek plastikos, which means fit for molding. Thermosetting plastics, once heated and cooled, cannot be reheated and remolded. Thermoset plastics tend to be rigid and have high molecular weights. Examples of thermoset plastics include epoxy, polyester, acrylic resins, polyurethanes, and vinyl esters. Despite their harmfulness, in many cases the most hazardous substances in plastics are not the monomers but other compounds, such as solvents, initiators, catalysts and other polymerization additives. For example some solvents may be toxic and flammable, and they can sometimes be hard to completely evaporate or precipitate from the polymer when. Smart plastics guide plastic products are typically labeled with a number surrounded by the recycling symbol. For example, our oblong and round jugs are made of high density polyethylene hdpe. Lightweight and durable, it has a good impact resistance. Common plastics their abbreviations, names and uses. In the beginning given this kind of versatility and the role that plastics play in modern living, its surprising to realize that a little over a century ago there was no such thing as commercial plastic in the united states. Background information every polymer has very distinct characteristics, but most polymers have the following general attributes. It is still a bit in progress so let me know if there are any mistakes. Polypropylene is a tough, durable and impact resistant protection board, available in a range of different options to suit specific project requirements.
Examples of thermosetting plastics are silicones, urea aldehyde and bakelite. Sep 15, 2016 in spite of so much hullabaloo going on about the ban on plastics, plastics industry will always be a booming industry. They are used so much because of their awesome abilities to resist corrosion, natural elements and are also very light and easy to handle. The most common type of plastic is polyethene, which is a. The most simple definition of a polymer is something made of many units. Feb 28, 2012 resins are any of the chemically modified natural resins or synthetic polymers which are physically similar, including thermoplastic materials such as polyvinyl, polystyrene, and polyethylene, as well as thermosetting materials such as polyesters, epoxies, and silicones. The word plastic is a common term that is used for many materials of a synthetic or semisynthetic nature. Sep 28, 2014 usually uses thermosetting plastics and produces products like dishes, container caps, etc. The uses depend on the properties of each resin listed e. The other half of the main types of plastics is thermoplastic. The full form of pet is polyethylene terephthalate. There is growing concern about the use of plastics and their effects on the environment and human. This chart gives many useful ratings pertaining to these plastics including temperature tolerances, permeability and sterilization processes.
The development of plastics has come from the use of natural plastic materials and since plastics are environmentalfriendly they have been domestically embraced because pure plastics have low toxicity due to their insolubility in water. The difference between the two types of plastics can be remembered by memorizing the term thermosetting. Once cooled and hardened, these plastics retain their shapes and cannot return to their original form. This process is called cracking because a catalyst is used to break larger molecules into smaller ones. Since its earliest days in the 1930s nylon has found its way into virtually every industry. Hi folks, made this overview of the six main types of plastics. Each link of the chain is the mer or basic unit that is made of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, andor silicon. These are the types of plastics that are used in aircraft parts, tires, and many others. Lesson summary there are two basic classes of plastics. They are used as stabilizers, pigments and other components to form plastics. Although plastics can be broken down into broad types or categories, there actually are.
Bakelite, kevlar, and vulcanized rubber are also thermoset plastics. The plastics design library series pdl is a collection of data books, reference works and practical guides covering plastics engineering, applications, processing, manufacturing, material selection, product design, recycling and waste, and innovative materials. They are also known to return to their original form. There are thousands of types of plastics, each with their own benefits to how you live, work and play. Overview of types of plastics and uses in real products. The plastic stays out of shape when deformed and typically decompose before they melt. Manufacturers place an spi code, or number, on each plastic product, usually moulded into the bottom. Sep 28, 2016 overview of types of plastics and uses in real products. Different types of plastics and their classification the society of the plastics industry spi established a classification system in 1988 to allow consumers and recyclers to identify different types of plastic. Types of plastics and the symbols used to identify them. Pdf evidence summary on plastics in the environment. The following plastics chart supplied by nalgene, includes all of the plastics mentioned in this document. Learn about the many types of plastics, from silicone and polypropylene to innovative bioplastics.
The 5 most common plastics and their everyday uses. These numbers and labels identify both the type of resin used to make the plastic and the products recyclability. In spite of so much hullabaloo going on about the ban on plastics, plastics industry will always be a booming industry. The code numbers are used by recyclers to identify different resins. Free 1 anon38265968253257180 plastics and their uses. The society of the plastics industry spi established a classification system in 1988 to allow consumers and recyclers to identify different types of plastic. Plastics are used on a daily basis throughout the world. The most common uses for plastic in construction is in pipes, valves, bathroom units, flooring, siding, panels, insulation, plumbing fixtures, windows, doors, railings, glazing and gratings. If plastics have coloring or other fillers in them, then the density part of the lab may not work out.
Notes on plastics the best suggestion i have here is to have your students work through the tutorial on the hands on plastics web site. Information on thermoplastics, thermosets, raw materials and biobased and degradable polymers with muliple links to each polymer type. Examples include polyurethanes, polyesters, epoxy resins and. Resins are any of the chemically modified natural resins or synthetic polymers which are physically similar, including thermoplastic materials such as polyvinyl, polystyrene, and polyethylene, as well as thermosetting materials such as polyesters, epoxies, and silicones. Synthetic resins, in which plastics are also included, vary widely in their chemical composition and in their physical properties. Plastics arent simply one material made the same way every time.
The different types of plastics and how they are recycled. The reason why it seems like plastic can be used just about everywhere is that it is not. This is why these types of plastics are used in packaging and. Typical reactions for chain assembling are polyaddition continuous or step wise and condensation polymerization polycondensation 1 figure 1. Other types of thermoplastics include nylon, pvc and pva. Our types of plastic and their uses sheet plastics. And weve different type of plastics which can be recycled and they in turn can be used for numerous uses. The number of synthetic resins which can be made is vast. But there are different types of nylon so how, or why does it. The term plastics describes a group of chemicals called polymers.
Usually uses thermosetting plastics and produces products like dishes, container caps, etc. Caused by the macromolecular structure and the temperature dependent physical properties plastic materials are distinguished into different. Learn about the different types of plastics, how each one is used and what new kinds of plastics could be on the horizon. In addition we also sell the following types of plastic. The 5 most common plastics and their everyday uses climate. Pet is mostly used for food and drink packaging purposes due to its. This resin chart describes six common resins and the variety of uses each has. To encourage recycling, some states charge a recycling fee that people get back when they recycle their water bottles and plastics. If you continue browsing the site, you agree to the use of cookies on this website. Differentiating nylon types engineered plastics blog. Background information for students introduction to plastics history of plastics and polymers plastics are polymers. Below is 7 of the most popular and commonly used plastics. What types of plastics make up colgates toothbrushes.
Objective to identify the six kinds of recycled plastic polymers by measuring their physical and chemical properties. The two main types of plastics are called thermosetting plastics and thermoplastics. At consolidated plastics, we mold polyethylene into a variety of highquality packaging and container products. The application of plastics in everyday life has undeniable advantages and societal benefits 7 89, however, their concerns need to be urgently addressed to make plastic usage sustainable. The test samples are extinguished within 5 seconds average time mean of 10 succesive tests. Despite being all but unheard of until the 1920s, plastic materials have effectively permeated every aspect of modern day life, from the microchips in your computer to the bags you carry your shopping in. Plastics are a wide range of synthetic or semisynthetic organic compounds that are malleable and so can be molded into solid objects plasticity is the general property of all materials which can deform irreversibly without breaking but, in the class of moldable polymers, this occurs to such a degree that their actual name derives from this specific ability. I think the handle of the typical modern toothbrush comprising a hard and a soft material would most likely be pp polypropylene for the hard part and tpe thermoplastic elastomer for the soft part. Learn how plastics can help reduce our environmental footprint through improved energy efficiency in our homes, increased miles per gallon in our cars, reduced food waste in our kitchens, and more. These are the types of plastics that are less rigid. Heating hydrocarbons oil, natural gas or coal produces plastics. Common plastics and their uses code name uses recycled.
The smaller molecules are those such as ethylene ethane, c 2 h 4. Types of plastics their physical properties processing methods. The plastic made for 3d printing uses polylactic acid, which means its not safe for recycling. Common types of plastics free download as powerpoint presentation. These naturally colored opaque vessels come with their own plastic caps, and theyre perfect for shipping, stocking shelves or storing liquids and. Among machinable plastics nylon is one of the oldest machinable plastics and one of the most widely used machinable plastics. Its different from the plastic bag that we commonly see at the supermarket. The most common type of plastic is polyethene, which is a thermoplastic. But there are different types of nylon so how, or why does it matter which one. Thermosets can be used for auto parts, aircraft parts and tires.
461 1134 772 1024 10 1551 1065 60 1462 664 1227 407 347 255 130 682 286 1558 69 981 1205 713 1387 339 1454 25 1029 302 16 503 661