Plastics

Question 1

Low density polythylene

Answer 1

tough, chemical resistant, weatherproof, can be translucent, low level of rigidity

Used in detergent bottles, toys, carrier bags, packaging, food wrap film

Question 2

HDPE

Answer 2

Can be translucent, weatherproof, tough, chemical resistant

Used in chemical drums jerry cans, toys, kitchenware and long life carrier bags

Question 3

Polypropylene (PP)

Answer 3

Available in translucent, good chemical resistance, tough, fatigue resistant

used in folders containers, hinged containers eg lids

Question 4

High impact polystyrene (HIPS)

Answer 4

Hard, rigid

Used in yoghurt pots, single-use drinks cups

Question 5

ABS

Answer 5

Extremely tough

Telephone handsets, rigid luggage

Question 6

PVC

Answer 6

Translucent, tough, flexible, good weathering and chemical resistance

Used in hose pipes, cable insulation, inflatable productions

Question 7

Nylon

Answer 7

good temperature resistant and low coefficient of friction

Used in bearings, gears, curtain rails, textiles, cable ties

Question 8

Urea Formaldehyde

Answer 8

Hard, heat resistant, good electrical insulator, brittle

Used in electrical fittings and adhesives

Question 9

Exposy resin

Answer 9

Rigid, clear, hard, chemical resistant

Used in cardiac pacemakers, aerospace, adhesives

Question 10

Neoprene

Answer 10

oil, chemical, weather and abrasion resistance

used in wetsuits and laptop cases

Question 11

Silicon

Answer 11

Lubricating properties

Used in flexible ice cube trays and tubing for drug delivery systems

Question 12

Biodegradable polymers

Answer 12

EIther the polymer is mixed with additives to make it degrade quicker under the prescence of light,oxygen or water. Or, degradation occurs due to mi

Question 13

Implications of biodegradable polymers

Answer 13

They can prodcuce methane gas when they decompose in landfill and can take high high temperatures to decompose too. They may also leave behind toxic residues. They need crops to grow and could be made from gm crops. Biodegradable polymers cannot be recyled and may contribute to a throw away culture. They can be processed in the same way as thermoplastics. The terms bio polymer and biodegrable polymer mean two different things.

Question 14

Bio-polymer

Answer 14

Natural polymers e.g corn starch polymer

Question 15

Corn starch polymer

Answer 15

Used in packaging, straws, vending cups

Question 16

potatopak

Answer 16

single use food items suchas bowls and cutlery