Thermoplastics Flashcards
characteristics of acrylic?
It is a very popular sheet material sold under the name Perspex.
It is transparent and sold in a range of solid and translucent colours.
It is a versatile plastic that is also widely available in sheet and tubular form.
It is brittle and not very durable, or resistant to solvents.
What are example products of acrylic and why are they good for this?
Acrylic can be made to look like glass and therefore be used to create products that look extremely high in quality and in price.
Its great clarity and weather resistance makes it great for tail lights on cars.
Characteristics of PET
PET is made for the process blow molding to make bottles for soft drinks.
PET can be semi ridid to rigid, and is very lightweight and can be made very transparent.
PET is commonly recycled and has the number 1 as its identification code.
What are products made with PET and why is it good for this?
NASA developed a space blanket that consist of a thin layer of PET film that is coated with a metallic reflecting agent, making a surface which reflects up to 97% of radiation.
Because it is non-toxic and colorless, and non porous, it is very good for its use in bottles for soft drinks.
Characteristics of PVC?
PVC comes in two forms which are rigid and flexible.
It is incredibly versatile and one of the most widely used plastic in the world.
It is widely available, economically viable and has many applications including a vast range of products.
PVC is commonly recycled and has the number 3 as its identification code.
However there are concerns as to the health risks and disposal consequences of this plastic.
What are some products made with PVC and why is it good for this?
Roughly half of the worlds PVC is used in pipes and industrial applications.
It can be made softer and more flexible and used for applications such as coverings for sofas or electrical insulation by plasticization.
uPVC is also used as a rigid plastic in the building industry
Characteristics of PolyPropylene?
Polypropylene is a versatile material that can be repeat bended.
Polypropylene can be recycled and has 5 as its recycling code in the mobius loop.
Polypropylene comes in a range of colors and is incredibly useful for storing foods.
Polypropylene can be processed and made into lots of different products with different application
What are some products made with PolyPropylene?
They can be utilized for medical kits, which need to be green, carry chemicals around and be stored in rough conditions.
As it is durable, chemical resistant and comes in a range of colors it is suitable.
Its excellent flex resistance makes it very suitable for chairs.
Live hinges are suitable for PP.
Can be used for fast food packaging as it is heat resistant.
Characteristics of ABS
Properties include toughness, hardness and durability.
It is utilized by designers as it is so versatile.
It is low cost, easy to process and recyclable.
ABS can be flammable when exposed to high heats and also has little resistance to UV light.
What are some products made with ABS and why is it a good match for this?
ABS is tough, rigid and colorful and its usage in the making of Lego shows its versatility.
It is used in a wide range of applications, as it is scratch resistant with excellent dimensional stability.
