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Product Design > Polymer characteristics > Flashcards

Polymer characteristics Flashcards

1
Q

what is toughness?

A

the ability to absorb energy and deform plastically without cracking [bike helmet]

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2
Q

what is elasticity?

A

resistance to distortion and ability to return to its original shape [balloon]

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3
Q

what is flexibility?

A

the ability to be bent or folded without breaking [pvc film]

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4
Q

what is stiffness?

A

measure of how rigid a material is [thermosets]

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5
Q

what is mouldability?

A

ability to be shaped into a form or mould [thermoplastics]

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6
Q

what determines weather a polymer can be cut or scored?

A

its hardness

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7
Q

what is a thermal insulator polymer + 1 use

A
  • insulators reduce heat transfer
  • formed with air inside to make foams
  • used on utensil handles [saucepans]
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8
Q

what are electrical insulators + 1 use

A
  • doesn’t allow electricity to flow freely through

- used for electrical casings

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9
Q

what is the melting point of a polymer and what does this dictate?

A
  • temperature it turns from a solid to liquid

- melting points dictate polymers use

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10
Q

what happens to thermoplastics and thermosets at high temperatures?

A
  • thermoplastics become soft, pliable and ‘plastic’

- thermosets don’t melt but decompose and char

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11
Q

what is a thermoplastic?

A

a polymer that melts at high temperatures but solidifies when cooled

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12
Q

what is a thermoset?

A

polymer that is irreversibly hardened via curing

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13
Q

what does UV do to polymers and which one is UV resistant?

A
  • UV bleaches the colour of polymers
  • makes them brittle
  • ABS retains its colour so is most UV resistant
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14
Q

what polymer is most resistant to chemicals and where is it typically used?

A

HDPE [high density polyethene]

used for bleach bottles and to line landfill sites

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15
Q

what are the differences between using PET and HDPE for drink bottles?

A
  • both liquid resistant
  • HDPE is reusable and recyclable
  • PET is recyclable and can leach chemicals into the water after reuse
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16
Q

why are polymer films and moulded polymer used for food packaging?

A
  • hygienically protect the food by making a barrier to oxygen, tampering and airborne threats
  • prolong the shelf life to keep flavor and quality of the food
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17
Q

how are food bags, pots and films adapted for packaging?

A
  • can be heat sealed
    -allow cooking whilst in the packaging
    [ready meals]
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18
Q

how do additives increase the biodegradability of thermoplastics?

A
  • thermoplastics degrade slowly and leave plastic particles polluting the soil
  • bio-batch additives allow the thermoplastic to be broken down quicker by natural bacteria
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19
Q

what is recycling?

A

process of recovering waste and reprocessing it into useful products

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20
Q

what does recycling do to polymers?

A
  • prevents it ending up in landfill

- reduces the production of new material from finite resources

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21
Q

what are finite resources?

A

non-renewable [coal]

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22
Q

why are polymers self finishing?

A
  • they require no additional surface finishing
  • they take the surface of the mould they were in
  • pigments can be added to reduce the need for secondary surface colouring
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23
Q

what 2 things do plasticisers do?

A

enhance flow characteristics so polymers can be moulded at higher temperatures
also make polymers streatchy

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24
Q

what do thermal antioxidants do?

A

help prevent oxidation due to heat exposure

25
Q

what do lubricants do?

A

improve polymer flow by decreasing viscosity

26
Q

what do antioxidants do?

A

reduce degradation from air and water to prevent cracking and discolouration

27
Q

what do UV light stabilizers do?

A

improve the resistance to UV radiation

28
Q

what do fire retardants do?

A

increase fire resistance

29
Q

what do antistatic additives do?

A

reduce the build up of static charge

30
Q

what 6 stock forms are polymers found in?

A

sheet, film, granules, extruded [rods], foam and powder

31
Q

what are the 3 different types of polymer sheet with 1 characteristic?

A
  • solid cast [extruded]- acrylic for kitchens
  • fluted sheet- has channels in it for folders
  • laminated sheet- foam board has 2 card around 1 foam layer
32
Q

how can polymer sheets be used?

A

in their flat form and can be cut or moulded

33
Q

what are the 4 types of film?

A

packaging, membranes, carrier bags and photographic

34
Q

why are granules used for moulding?

A
  • easier to process
  • easier to measure
  • melt quicker
35
Q

where are plastic granules used?

A
  • playground surfaces
  • filling stuffed toys
  • cosmetic products
36
Q

how do you make polymer granules into a rod? +1 use

A
  • Nylon and PP granules are melted
  • extrusion forms them into a continuous profile
  • bearings and gears
37
Q

what polymers can undergo extrusion?

A

PVC, PP and HDPE

38
Q

what products are made by extruding polymers?

A
  • window frames
  • tubing
  • seals and mouldings
  • adhesive tapes
  • wire insulation
39
Q

what ingredients make foam?

A

polymer with additive/catalyst, heat, air or gas

40
Q

what happens when foam is mixed?

A
  • expands
  • gas bubbles form and pop
  • makes a spongy porous form
41
Q

what can foam be used for?

A
  • exercise mats
  • packaging
  • insulation
  • soft furnishings
  • model making
42
Q

what are powder polymers used for?

A
  • protect metals from corrosion

- for 3D printing when laser cured

43
Q

how are metals painted with powder?

A
  • metals are electrically charged or heated
  • dipped or spayed in powder
  • then cured
44
Q

what are the properties of foam board? +1 use

A
  • lightweight
  • easy to cut and score
  • solvents can melt it
  • presentation boards and model making
45
Q

what are the properties of Fluted Polypropylene +1 use

A
  • creases
  • bends
  • integrated channels
  • folding boxes, folders and signage
46
Q

what are the properties of translucent PP + 1 use

A
  • tough
  • tear resistant
  • water resistant
  • printed or laser cut
  • flexible
  • coloured or clear
  • document folders, lightweight boxes
47
Q

what is Styrofoam?

A

dense, extruded blue foam

48
Q

what are the properties and uses of styrofoam?

A
  • available in sheets or blocks
  • comes in a range of thicknesses
  • cut and shaped
  • used for model making or moulds/formers
49
Q

Properties of LDPE and where is it used?

A
  • tough, flexible sheet
  • good chemical resistance
  • thin films or sheets
  • food wrap, bags [bin/freezer], bubble wrap
50
Q

what are the properties of Plastazote [engineered foam] and its uses?

A
  • tough , flexible and lightweight
  • impact resistant
  • insulator
  • yoga mats or pipe covers
  • protective packaging
51
Q

what is cellulose acetate and its properties?

A

naturally derived biodegradable film

  • tough
  • transparent
52
Q

what are 2 uses for cellulose acetate?

A
  • photographic film

- biodegradable packaging

53
Q

what is Polylactide acid [PLA] and what are its properties?

A
  • biodegradable polymer
  • recyclable
  • compostable
  • low impact resistance
54
Q

what is PLA made from and why is this a problem?

A
  • corn starch and sugar beet

- requires a large amount to make the polymer

55
Q

what is PLA used for?

A

replaces PET for biodegradable packaging

56
Q

what is transparency?

A

how permeable a material is to light radiation

57
Q

what is translucent?

A

when some light can pass through but is diffused so the object isn’t clear to see

58
Q

what is opaque?

A

when the material is impermeable to light

Product Design (15 decks)

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