Cost And Commercial Viability, Different Stakeholder Needs And Marketability (plastics)

Question 1

Raw materials

Answer 1

The cost of raw materials for most polymers is the same as it is linked to the price of crude oil.

Question 2

High performance polymers

Answer 2

Polyacetals - used in medical devices
Kevlar - a fibre used in bullet proof vests
Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) - used in the aero space industry

Question 3

Responding to stakeholder needs

Answer 3

A key strength of using a polymer for a product is the ability to fine tune its properties to meet stakeholder needs by introducing activities additives such as:

• Plasticisers to improve the flow of the polymer into a mould and reduce production times
• Pigment ps to give the customer a wide choice of colours

Question 4

Manufacturing methods

Answer 4

• injection moulding
• blow moulding
• thermoforming

Question 5

Injection moulding

Answer 5

Requires a complex mould but parts are produced at a high speed and the cost of the mould can be spread over the production run

Question 6

Blow moulding

Answer 6

Simpler than injection moulding and generally less expensive

Question 7

Thermoforming

Answer 7

Offers lower tooling and is used for lower volume production runs