Plastics and their uses

Question 1

Polythene

Answer 1

Used to make bottles and for shrink-wrapping [shrink-wrap: A plastic film that shrinks when heated, to wrap tightly around objects. Shrink-wrap is often used to package foods. ] products.

Question 2

Cellophane

Answer 2

Used for wrapping round products

Question 3

Polystyrene foam (Styrofoam)

Answer 3

Available in blocks and used for product-modelling [product-modelling: Creating a product-design model. This is a three-dimensional model that won’t work, but does show the form and finish of the end-product. As well as plastics, product-design models can be made from wood or foam blocks. ]

Question 4

Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)

Answer 4

Used to make square or round shaped tubes and is good for making structures. Corrugated polypropylene is available in a range of shapes and colours

Question 5

Corrugated polypropylene

Answer 5

Used for making large constructions

Question 6

Polystyrene sheet (or styrene sheet)

Answer 6

Used for vacuum-forming

Question 7

High-density PVC foam

Answer 7

Machining of 2D and 3D shapes