Why use plastics

• Plastic are easily formed materials.

• The advantage to the manufacturer is that plastic products can be mass-

produced and require less skilled staff.

• Plastics require little or no finishing, painting, polishing etc. Plastic is

referred to as a self-finishing material. Particular finishes can be achieved
at relatively low cost.

• Plastics can be easily printed, decorated or painted.

• Plastics are corrosion resistant, and generally waterproof although

certain types of plastics such as UPVC can become brittle and it is possible
for the sun’s rays to cause the colour of the plastic to fade. It becomes
bleached.

• Plastics are lighter than metals, giving deeper sections for a given
weight, and hence stronger sections.
 Origins of Plastics - synthetic plastics.

• The main source of

synthetic plastics is
crude oil.

• Coal and natural gas are

also used.

• Petrol, paraffin,
lubricating oils and high
petroleum gases are bi-
products, produced
during the refining of
crude oil.
 Natural Plastics
• Natural ‘plastic products’ occur in such things as animals’ horns, animals’
milk, insects, plants and trees.

• Animals horns - Casein (glue)

• Animals milk - Formaldehyde (glue)

• Insects - Shellac (French polishing)

• Plants - Cellulose (table tennis balls), Cellulose acetate (cloth, photographic

film, handles), Cellophane (wrapping), Bitumen (roads, flat roofs)

• Trees - Latex (rubber)

Types of Plastics
 Thermoplastics
• There are a wide range of
thermoplastics, some that are rigid and Long chain molecules
some that are extremely flexible.

• The molecules of thermoplastics are in

lines or long chains with very few
entanglements. When heat is applied
the molecules move apart, which
increases the distance between them,
causing them to become untangled.
This allows them to become soft when
heated so that they can be bent into all
sorts of shapes.

• When they are left to cool the chains of

molecules cool, take their former
position and the plastic becomes stiff
and hard again. The process of
heating, shaping, reheating and
reforming can be repeated many
times.
Thermoplastics and Plastic
Memory
Each time a thermoplastic is reheated it will try and return to its
original shape, unless it has been damaged due to overheating or
overstretching. This property is called plastic memory.

This is why a shape formed in thermoplastic becomes flat when

reheated.
 Thermosetting plastics
• The molecules of thermosetting
plastics are heavily cross-linked. Cross-linked molecules
They form a rigid molecular
structure.

• The molecules in thermoplastics

sit end-to-end and side-by-side.

• Although they soften when heated

the first time, which allows them to
be shaped they become
permanently stiff and solid and
cannot be reshaped.

• Thermoplastics remain rigid and

non-flexible even at high
temperatures. Polyester resin
and urea formaldehyde are
examples of thermosetting
plastics.
 Polythene
• High-density
polythene has been
used to manufacture
milk crates, bottles,
buckets, bowl and
gear wheels.

• It is stiff, hard, can be

sterilised and is
dense.
 LDPE
Low density polyethylene

• Makes bottles that requires flexibility

• Produces grocery bags and garbage bags,

shrink and stretch film and the coating for
milk cartons
 HDPE
High Density Polyethylene

• Used in milk, juice and water containers in order

to take advantage of its protective barrier
properties

• Its chemical resistance properties make it a

good choice as container for household
chemicals and detergents.
 Polystyrene

• Polystyrene is used to
make plates, cutlery
and model kits.

• It is stiff hard and

comes in a wide
range of colours.

• Image: cup and

saucer
 Nylon
• Nylon is hard, tough, self-
lubricating, has a high
melting point and has
very good resistance to
wear and tear.

• It has been used to make

clothing, bearings and
propellers.

• Image: A nylon castor

(wheel).
 PVC
• The rigid type is used to
make pipes, guttering
and roofing. It is very
lightweight and is
resistant to acids and
alkalis.
• The plasticised type is
used for suitcases,
hosepipes, electrical
wiring and floor
coverings.
• Image: plumbing U-bend
 PET
Polyethylene Terephthalate
• A clear, tough, polymer with exceptional gas and
moisture barrier properties.

• PET’s ability to contain carbon dioxide

(carbonation) make it a good choice in soft drink
bottles.
 Vinyl
Polyvinyl chloride, or PVC

• Excellent clarity, puncture resistance and

cling

• Film vinyl can breathe, making it ideal for

meats
 PP
Polypropylene

• High tensile strength, ideal for caps and lids with

threaded openings

• High melting point so can be hot-filled with products that

then will cool

• Also used for products that need to be incubated, such

as yogurt
 PS
Polystyrene

• In its crystalline form, it is a colorless plastic plastic that can be clear and
hard.

• It can also be foamed to provide exceptional insulation properties. Foamed

or expanded polystyrene (EPS) is used for products such as meat trays,
egg cartons and coffee cups.

• It is also used for packaging and protecting appliances, electronics and

other sensitive products
 Plastics Compared to Metals and
Ceramics
Characteristic Advantage Disadvantage

Low melting point Ease of processing Lower useful thermal range

High elongation Low brittleness High creep, low yield strength
Low density Lightweight products Low structural strength
Low thermal conductivity Good thermal insulation Low heat dissipation
Electrical resistance Good electrical insulation Low conductivity
Optical clarity (some types) Utility as clear material UV degradation
Easily colored Use without painting Hard to color match
Solvent sensitivity Can be applied as solution Affected by solvents
Flammable Waste can be burned May cause fumes/fire hazard
 Polymers—many atoms or
molecules
• Natural or Synthetic
• Monomer = building block
• Polymer = chains (linked
groups)
 History of Polymers
Date Material Example Use

1868 Cellulose Nitrate Figurines

1909 Phenol-Formaldehyde Electrical equipment
1919 Casein Beauty accessories
1927 Cellulose Acetate Cellophane package wrapping
1927 Polyvinyl Chloride Pipe, Synthetic Leather
1929 Urea-Formaldehyde Lighting fixtures, Plywood glue
1936 Acrylic Brush backs, displays
1936 Polyvinyl Acetate Synthetic flooring
1938 Polystyrene or Styrene Disposable utensils
1938 Nylon (Polyamide) Hosiery
1938 Polyvinyl Butyrate Safety glass interlayer
1939 Polyvinylidene Chloride Saran wrap
1939 Melamine-Formaldehyde Countertops, Cabinets
 History of Polymers
Date Material Example Use
1942 Polyester Clothing, Boat hulls
1942 Polyethylene Milk Jugs
1943 Fluorocarbon Industrial gaskets, Non-stick liners
1943 Silicone Gaskets, Tubing, Utensils
1947 Epoxy Glues
1948 Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene Luggage
1954 Polyurethane or Urethane Foam cushions, Shoe soles, Wheels
1956 Acetal Automotive parts, Toilet parts
1957 Polypropylene Living hinges, Safety helmets
1957 Polycarbonate Water bottles, Eye protection
1964 Ionomer Golf balls, Skin packages
1964 Polyimide Gears
 Uses
• Automobile
– Weight (mileage)
• Aviation
– 767, 787
– Voyager, Space Ship
One
• Everywhere