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Introduction to Plastics
Outline
What is plastic? Where do they come from? Types of plastic
What is Plastic?
a group of synthetic or natural organic materials that may be shaped when soft and then hardenedused in place of other materials, as glass, wood, and metals
www.dictionary.com
What is Plastic?
Plastic is a polymer
Poly Greek for many Meros Greek for part Polymer = many parts
Made of monomers
Greek = one part
What is Plastic?
Homopolymer
Made up of one type of monomer (polycarbonate for example)
Copolymer
Made up of more than one type of monomer (ABS for example)
Petroleum
Source of most plastics
Natural
Corn, trees, soybeans, etc.
Condensation polymerization
Monomer is made from more than one molecule and a by-product is given off (polyester, polycarbonate)
Making Plastic
Addition Type
Ethylene
Polyethylene
Making Plastic
Condensation Type
Terephthalic Acid
Ethylene Glycol
PET
Types of Plastic
Thermoplastics
Material can be softened by heat and then formed into an article. The material can be repeatedly softened and formed.
Thermoset plastics
Material is hardened with heat, pressure, or chemical reaction. The material can not be resoftened.
Types of Plastic
Polyethylene Advantages
Low Temperature Impact Chemical Resistant
Disadvantages Features
Different densities Processed different ways
Types of Plastic
Polypropylene Advantages
Light Weight Chemical Resistant Heat Resistant
Disadvantages Features
Easy to process Easy to customize Low Temperature Impact Bonding
Types of Plastic
Polyvinyl Chloride Advantages
Rigid Low Cost
Disadvantages Features
Easily modified Rigid is flame retardant
Processing PVC
Types of Plastic
Polystyrene Advantages
Rigid Paintable
Disadvantages Features
Can increase impact (HIPS) Transparent (GPPS)
Types of Plastic
Styrene Acrylonitrile (SAN) Advantages
Chemical Resistance Weathering
Disadvantages Features
Improved properties vs. GPPS Transparent Heat Resistance
Types of Plastic
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) Advantages
Dimensional Stability Toughness
Disadvantages Features
Different gloss levels Alloys Weathering Solvent Resistance
Types of Plastic
Nylon 6 Advantages
Strength, Stiffness Chemical resistant
Disadvantages
Water absorption
Features
Abrasion resistant Creep resistant
Types of Plastic
Nylon 66 Advantages
Strength, Stiffness Chemical resistant Heat resistant
Disadvantages
Features
Abrasion resistant Versatile Water absorption
Types of Plastic
Polybutylene Terephthalate (PBT) Advantages
Water absorption High Strength
Disadvantages Features
Dimensional Stability Processing Boiling Water Chemical Resistance
Types of Plastic
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Advantages
Heat Resistance Close Mold Tolerances
Disadvantages Features
Can be transparent Tricky to injection mold Warpage Must be Dried
Types of Plastic
Polycarbonate Advantages
Dimensional stability Toughness
Disadvantages Features
Transparent Creep resistant
Resources
www.omnexus.com www.rtpcompany.com www.pslc.ws/macrog/