1.3 Polymers Flashcards by alex g

Acrylic (PMMA) properties

Stiff
Durable
Good electrical insulator
Water resistant

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Acrylic (PMMA) Uses

Baths,
ship signs,
car headlights,
lighting

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Acrylic (PMMA) Disadvantages

Scratches easily
Brittle
Splinters easily

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HDPE properties

Flexible
Corrosion resistant
Tough
Good electrical insulator

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HDPE uses

Bottles (bleach, milk),
bowls,
buckets,
crates,
water pipes

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HDPE disadvantages

Colour tends to fade over time
Can break under stress

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LDPE properties

Flexible
Corrosion resistant
Good electrical insulator
Tensile strength
Good strength to weight ratio

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LDPE uses

Cling film, bags, cable insulation, washing up bottles

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LDPE disadvantages

Colour tends to fade over time

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PET properties

Corrosion resistant
Tough
Tensile strength
Good alcohol and oil barrier

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PET uses

Fizzy drinks bottles

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PET disadvantages

Can discolour
Needs to be treated prior to being used in food products to prevent taste problems

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PVC properties

Chemical resistant
Water resistant
Tough
Hard
Lightweight
Compressive strength

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PVC uses

Water pipes, guttering, electrical insulation, floor covering

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PVC disadvantages

Can brittle over time
Degrades in UV light

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PP properties

Tough
Corrosion resistant
Light
Hard

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PP uses

Food pots (i.e. yoghurts), carpets, rope, syringes, kitchenware, chairs, bins, kettles

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PP disadvantages

UV causes degradation

ABS properties

Tough
Hard
Chemical resistant

ABS uses

Safety helmets, mobile phones, lego, camera housings

ABS disadvantages

UV causes degradation

Difference between thermosetting and thermoplastic

Thermosetting has cross links, harden permanently and cant be remelted.

Thermoplastics don’t have cross links and can be reshaped with heat many times

Thermosetting plastic example

Urea Formaldehyde
Epoxy resin
Polyester Resin

Elastomer examples

PVA
Neoprene
Poly acrylic

Urea formaldehyde properties

Strong Electrical insulator Hard Heat resistant

Urea formaldehyde uses

Plug sockets Manmade board adhesive

Urea Formaldehyde disadvantages

Brittle Can emit toxic vapours during manufacturing process

Epoxy resin properties

Electrical insulator Hard Corrosion resistant Good bond qualities

Epoxy resin uses

Adhesives and paints

Epoxy resin disadvantages

Can cause allergic reactions Suspected health problems

Polyester resin properties

Corrosion/heat resistant Electrical insulator Stiff

Polyester resin uses

Carbon fibre Garden furniture Boat hulls Pond Liners

Polyester resin disadvantages

Can crack Brittle unless mixed with glass/carbon fibre)

Elastomer definition

Has elastic properties Technically thermosetting with cross links Rubber is an elastomer

Pva properties

Non toxic Dries clear Good initial grip/track

Pva uses

Wood adhesive Book binding Primer

Pva disadvantages

Slow drying needs 24hrs Needs to be clamped

Neoprene properties

Flexible Water resistant Tough Resistant to cracking

Neoprene uses

Wetsuits Gaskets Seals Protective casings

Neoprene disadvantages

Expensive

Poly acrylic properties

Lightweight Transparent Shatter resistant

Poly acrylic uses

Display units car headlights windows

Poly acrylic disadvantages

Poor chemical resistance