Plastics and Polymers Flashcards
Thermoforming polymers
Most common polymers, they can be recycled, coloured and moulded into almost any shape
Heating process
Thermoforming polymers are softened by heating and once plasticised they can be shaped and formed. The process of reheating shaping and cooling can be done many times over with minimal damage to the polymer
What are most polymers made from?
Non-renewable crude oil
Uses and properties of acrylic
Hard, good optical quality, resistance to weathering, scratches easily- used in car light units, bath tubs and shop signage
High impact polystyrene (HIPS)
Tough, hard, rigid, impact resistant, lightweight- used in children’s toys, yoghurt pots and fridge liners
High density polythene (HDPE)
Hard, stiff, chemically resistant- used in washing up bowls, buckets, milk crates, bottles and pipes
Polypropylene (PP)
Tough, heat and chemical resistance, lightweight, fatigue resistant- used in toys, DVD cases, bottle caps and packaging film
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
Hard, tough, chemical and weather resistant, low cost, can be rigid or flexible- used in pipes, guttering and window frames
Polyethylene terephthate (PET)
Tough, durable, lightweight, food safe, impermeable, low cost- used in drinks bottles and food packaging
Thermosetting polymers
Shaped and formed by heat but this process can only occur once, making them excellent insulators but cannot be recycled
Epoxy resin uses and properties
Electrical insulator, chemical and wear resistant- used in adhesives and PCB component encapsulation
Melamine formaldehyde (MF)
Stiff, hard, strong, heat and scratching and staining resistant- used in kitchen laminates and tableware
Phenol formaldehyde (PF)
Hard, heat and chemical resistant, electrical insulator, limited colours- used in pan handles, bowling balls and electrical fittings
What do plasticisers do?
Make the polymer soft and flexible
Urea formaldehyde
Stiff, hard, heat resistant, electrical insulator- used in white electrical fittings and toilet seats
