Unit 2 Materials and Components - Polymers - Thermoplastics

Question 1

What are the properties of acrylic?

Answer 1

• stiff
• hard
• durable
• easily scratched
• good electrical insulator

Question 2

What are the disadvantages of acrylic?

Answer 2

• brittle
• can break
• scratches easily
• splinters easily

Question 3

What are the applications of acrylic?

Answer 3

• lighting
• CD cases
• car lighting
• baths

Question 4

What are the different types of polyethylene?

Answer 4

• HDPE
• LDPE
• PET

Question 5

What are the properties of HDPE (high density polyethylene)?

Answer 5

• good electrical insulator
• chemical resistant
• impact resistant
• flexible

Question 6

What are the disadvantages of HDPE (high density polyethylene)?

Answer 6

• colour tends to fade over time

- can break under stress

Question 7

What are the applications of HDPE (high density polyethylene)?

Answer 7

• water tanks
• water pipes
• buckets
• bowls

Question 8

What are the properties of LDPE (low density polyethylene)?

Answer 8

• good electrical insulator
• chemical resistant
• flexible

Question 9

What are the disadvantages of LDPE (low density polyethylene)?

Answer 9

• colour tends to fade over time

- can break under stress

Question 10

What are the applications of LDPE (low density polyethylene)?

Answer 10

• washing up liquid bottles
• dustbin sacks/bags
• cable insulation
• packaging film

Question 11

What are the properties of PET (polyethylene terephthalate)?

Answer 11

• good alcohol and oil barrier
• chemical resistant
• high impact resistance
• high tensile strength

Question 12

What are the disadvantages of PET (polyethylene terephthalate)?

Answer 12

• can discolour

- when use in containers for food stuffs, it needs to be treated to prevent taste problems

Question 13

What are the applications of PET (polyethylene terephthalate)?

Answer 13

• fizzy drink bottles

Question 14

What are the properties of PVC (polyvinyl chloride)?

Answer 14

• good chemical resistance
• weather resistant
• stiff, tough, hard, lightweight

Question 15

What are the disadvantages of PVC (polyvinyl chloride)?

Answer 15

• can become brittle over time

- ultraviolet light causes brittleness

Question 16

What are the applications of PVC (polyvinyl chloride)?

Answer 16

• electrical wiring insulation
• pipes for guttering
  floor covering

Question 17

What are the properties of PP (polypropylene)?

Answer 17

• light, hard, impact resistant

- chemical resistant

Question 18

What are the disadvantages of PP (polypropylene)?

Answer 18

• ultraviolet light causes degradation

- oxidation can be a problem during manufacturing process

Question 19

What are the applications of PP (polypropylene)?

Answer 19

• medical syringes
• carpets
• kitchenware

Question 20

What are the properties of PS (polystyrene)?

Answer 20

compressed:
- light, hard, stiff, brittle, low impact strength

expanded:
- buoyant, lightweight, good insulator

Question 21

What are the disadvantages of PS (polystyrene)?

Answer 21

compressed:
- weak, ignites easily

expanded:
- crumbles and breaks, easily ignites

Question 22

What are the applications of PS (polystyrene)?

Answer 22

compressed:

• CD cases
• refrigerator linings
• water tanks

expanded:

• packaging
• insulation
• displays

Question 23

What are the properties of ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene)?

Answer 23

• chemical resistant
• hard
• tough

Question 24

What are the disadvantages of ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene)?

Answer 24

• UV light causes degradation

Question 25

What are the applications of ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene)?

Answer 25

• mobile phones

- safety helmets