Mohamad Faizal Bin Misran.

AS 223.
2009851342.
Assignment 1

Question 1

Why is it important known the thermal coefficient of expansion and contraction of plastic

material when designing a plastic?

It is important to know the thermal coefficient of expansion and contraction of plastic

material when designing a plastic because it wills affect the dimension of the product when

and during moulding. It also can be simplified as the extent and shrinkage of the material

after moulding. It also depends on the material used. Expansion and contraction due to

temperature changes is not unique to plastics. Changes in temperature tend to cause a change

in dimensions of any matter. But, the amount of dimensional change for a given temperature

change can vary significantly depending on the material characteristics. Thermoplastic

materials exhibit a relatively high tendency to expand and contract when subjected to a

temperature change – as much as about ten times that which is exhibited by metals. Thus, by

knowing the expansion and contraction behaviour, the plastic processing can be controlled in

optimum condition and can produce highly production, less cost and defects.
Question 2

Explain the reason why PET is a favourable material used in the manufacturing of carbonated

drinks bottle in comparison to PVC.

PET is a favourable material used in the manufacturing of carbonated drinks bottles in

comparison to PVC because it is environmental friendly, non-hazardous to health and safe to

use as no toxic gases or volatile content is emitted. Safety in laminating process as no solvent

based adhesive is used. PET has low gas permeability barrier properties due its benzene ring

inside PET structure. Other reason why PET is favourable material used is it is inert (not

react) towards the beverages. PET plastic also can be recycled to save cost and environmental

manner. Some more, PET also not easily degrade (change colour) and have high resistance to

environmental nature. Since PET is amorphous state, it behave transparent the PVC. Mean

while, PVC has too many additives added during compounding to reduce the cost, adding

more mechanical properties and others. So, it is very dangerous to make it as food packaging.

Other reason PVC is less used in manufacturing of carbonated drinks because it toxicity since

PVC contains of –cl- groups.

Question 3

Explain why wall thickness is an important design consideration when manufacturing plastic

product.

Wall thickness is an important design consideration when manufacturing plastic product

because when abrupt wall thickness will be difficult to eject due to:

1. Difference in flow behaviour.

2. Pressure drop or increase.

3. Temperature gradient

4. Different in thermal conductivity.

Thin section might be degrade faster than thick section of too long times taken in heating the

plastic which can cause dimensional instability and internal stress. It is difficult to make

profiling. Thus, different pressure must be needed. Corners must be designed with radius less

than 0.5 o. Thick wall must be reduced steadily to be thin with some degree.