Plastics

Question 1

Thermoplastics

Answer 1

Thermoplastics are linear chain molecules with weak secondary bonds between the chains.

Question 2

Types of thermoplastics

Answer 2

Polypropylene (PP)
Polyethylene (PE)
Polyethylene (PET)
ABS
HIPS (Polystyrene)
PVC

Question 3

Properties of PP

Answer 3

lowest density of thermoplastics
good toughness
resistant to fats
high resistance to temperature
good fatigue resistance
semi-rigid
translucent
recyclable

Question 4

What is PP used for?

Answer 4

Buckets, bowls, crates, toys, food containers, juice bottles, straws, coat hangers, furniture eg plastic chairs),

Question 5

Properties of PE

Answer 5

low stiffness (semi-rigid, flexible)
high toughness
translucent
commonly HDPE and LDPE
recyclable

Question 6

What is PE used for?

Answer 6

Water bottles, food storage containers, plastic tubing, light work surfaces, shampoo bottles, flower pots

Question 7

What are the properties of PET

Answer 7

high tensile strength
rigid
thermal resistant
recyclable

Question 8

What is PET used for?

Answer 8

Soda and water bottles, clam-shelll food containers, fibers (eg polyester), parts made by injection moulding,

Question 9

What are the properties for ABS

Answer 9

high impact resistance
high toughness
dimensional stability
good stiffness
good workability properties
versatile material
repayable – not all centres will receive it.

Question 10

What is ABS used for?

Answer 10

telephone handsets, rigid luggage, domestic appliances, handles, some helmets (impact), product prototyping,

Question 11

What are the properties of HIPS

Answer 11

easy of fabrication
high impact strength
good aesthetics-various colours
rigid/stiff
low cost
dimensional stability
good workability properties
non-biodegradable

Question 12

What is HIPS used for?

Answer 12

toys, kitchen utensil, shelves, signs, product casings.

Question 13

What are the properties of PVC

Answer 13

Can be stiff or flexible (when a plastizeer is added)
good aesthetics – colours
low cast
non-biodegradable

Question 14

What is PVC used for

Answer 14

potable piping, water bottles, cling film, credit cards, toys, shampoo bottles, imitation leather, window frames, rain gutters, garden furniture, binders and even pens – as a wide use

Question 15

What are thermosetting plastics?

Answer 15

Thermosets are linear chain molecules with strong secondary bonds between adjacent polymer chains.

Question 16

What are the different types of thermosets

Answer 16

Polyurethane
Urea formaldehyde
Melamine resin
Epoxy resin

Question 17

What are the properties of polyurethane

Answer 17

It can be hard like fibreglass or soft and spongy
wide range of hardness
good tensile and compressive strength
toughness – impact resistant
good electrical resistivity
good bonding properties
good resistant to damp environments

Question 18

What is polyurethane used for?

Answer 18

wheels, wing parts, sponges, finishes (lacquer etc), toys,

Question 19

What are the properties of urea-formaldehyde?

Answer 19

high (surface) hardness
high tensile strength
good
electrical resistivity
low resistance to damp environments
deterioration of indoor are quality

Question 20

What is urea-formaldehyde used for

Answer 20

manufacture of man-made timber (pressed) products such as MDF particle board, adhesives, insulation, wrinkle and shrink resistant textiles

Question 21

What are the properties of melamine resin

Answer 21

high hardness (one of the highest)
high chemical resistance resin
medium fire and heat resistant (will decompose under great heat)
resistant to moisture (damp environments)

Question 22

What is melamine resin used for

Answer 22

kitchen ware (plates, utensils), decorative laminates (counter or table tops), fire retardant clothing,

Question 23

What are the properties of epoxy resin

Answer 23

high thermal resistance
high chemical resistance (less likely to corrode)
high toughness

Question 24

What aims epoxy resin used for

Answer 24

adhesives, fibre optics, electrical insulators and transformers, craft and jewelry industry