Plastics Flashcards
Thermoplastic.
Dimensionally stable, easily blow moulded, chemically resistant and fully recyclable.
Used for bottles, food packaging and some food wraps.
Polyethylene terephthalate (PETE)
Thermoplastic.
Lightweight, rip and chemical resistant, expensive to recycle.
Used for milk bottles, pipes, storage crates, hard hats and wheelie bins.
High density Polyethylene (HPDE)
Thermoplastic.
Flexible, high plasticity, chemically resistant and tough.
Used for raincoats, pipes, electrical tape, air mattresses and self-adhesive vinyl.
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
Thermoplastic.
Very flexible and tough with a high strength to weight ratio.
Used for plastic carrier bags, refuse sacks, piping, bottles and some plastic food wraps.
Low density Polyethylene (LPDE)
Thermoplastic.
Flexible, tough, lightweight, chemically resistant, easily cleaned and safe with food.
Used for kitchen, medical and stationery products, bottle lids, rope.
Polypropylene (PP)
Thermoplastic.
Flexible, tough, lightweight, chemically resistant, easily cleaned and safe with food.
Used for kitchen, medical and stationery products, bottle lids, rope.
High impact Polystyrene (HIPS)
Thermoplastic.
Tough but brittle when thin. Easily scratched, formed and bonded.
Used for car lights, display stands, shop signs, hats and gloves.
Acrylic
Thermosetting plastic.
Good strength to weight ratio, expensive, heat resistant, and a good electrical insulator.
Used for bonding different materials together, waterproof coatings, used in fibreglass and carbon fibre lamination.
Epoxy resin (ER)
Thermosetting plastic.
Food safe and hygienic, lightweight, hard, brittle but not microwave safe.
Used for kitchenware and heat resistant surfaces bonded to worktops.
Melamine formaldehyde (MF)
Thermosetting plastic.
Heat resistant, very good electrical insulator, hard, brittle, easily injection moulded.
Used for electrical fittings, casings, buttons and handles, lego
Urea formaldehyde (UF)
Thermosetting plastic.
Reasonably strong, heat resistant and a good electrical insulator.
Used for encapsulation of artefacts, waterproof coatings, flooring.
Polyester resin (PR)
Thermosetting plastic.
Formerly known as an early plastic called Bakelite, very rigid, hard and brittle. An excellent electrical insulator with good chemical resistance.
Used for electrical components, mechanical parts, old Bakelite style household artefacts such as clocks, telephones and radios
Phenol formaldehyde (PF)
Thermoplastics
Generally the most flexible, especially when heated. They can be formed into complex shapes and many can be reformed multiple times. Thermoplastics are usually easy to recycle
Thermosetting plastics
Once they are formed and cooled they set and cannot be reformed. They are excellent electrical insulators and have good resistance to heat and chemicals. Thermosetting plastics cannot be recycled
