Polymer Types

Question 1

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)

Answer 1

▪️These polymers are clear or coloured with a smooth finish

▪️They can be easily blow moalded, has good chemical rasistance

▪️They are commonly used for:

• Food wraps
• Bottles
• Food packaging

▪️triangular recycal 1

Question 2

High-Density PolyEthylene (HDPE)

Answer 2

▪️These polymers are opque, coloured or texured

▪️They are light weight, chemical resistant and rip-resistant

▪️they are commonly used in products like milk bottles, hard hats, wheelie bin and pipes

▪️triangular recycal 2

Question 3

PolyVinyl Chloride (PVC)

Answer 3

▪️these types of polymers are coloured and done with a gloss finish

▪️they are available in sheets or a rigid shape such as a pipe

▪️PVC polymers are chemically resistant, flexabile, tough and easily extruded

▪️They are commonly used in products like pipes, insulating tape, air mattresses and raincoats

▪️triangular recycal 3

Question 4

Low-Density PolyEthylene (LDPE)

Answer 4

▪️LDPE polymers can be coloured witha smooth finish

▪️They are available in sheets or a clear thin to thick film

▪️These polymers have exellent strength to seight ratio

▪️They are very flexible and can be blow moulded and extruded easily

▪️They are commonly used in products such as carrier bags, bin liners, plastic food wraps and pipes

▪️Triangular cycle 4

Question 5

PolyPropylene (PP)

Answer 5

▪️These polymers can be coloured in sheets or shapes

▪️They are very flexible, tough, lightweight, food safe and easily cleaned

▪️They are commonly used in products such as medical products, kitchen products and rope

▪️Triangular cycle 5

Question 6

High Impact Polystyrene Sheet (HIPS)

Answer 6

▪️These polymers can be flat, clear or coloured sheets.

▪️They are very flexible, tough, impact-resistant, lightweight, food safe and vacuum forms well

▪️These polymers give off a toxic fume when burnt

▪️They are commonly used in products such as food containers, chocolate box in-trays, egg boxes and yoghurt pots

▪️Triagular cycal 6

Question 7

Acrylic – Poly-methyl Meth Acrylate (PMMA)

Answer 7

▪️These polymers are very versatile, colored with a smooth finish.

▪️They are tough but brittle when thin, easily scratched, formed, and joined.

▪️These polymers are in sheet, tube, or bar form.

▪️They are commonly used in school workshops for laser cutting and line bending.

▪️Other products include car lights, display stands, modern bathtubs, hats and gloves

Question 8

Common uses of High Impact Polystyrene Sheet (HIPS):

Answer 8

• Chocolate box in-trays
• Egg boxes
• Yoghurt pots

Question 9

Common uses of Polypropylene (PP):

Answer 9

• Rope
• Medical Products
• Kitchen products