It is a common occurrence in our day-to-day life to see items made from plastic. From the keyboard of your computer to the cover of your phone, there are a variety of thermoplastics that are used for different applications. Team PPi will outline some of the more common thermoplastics and their uses.
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)
ABS is a cost-effective material that can still meet stringent requirements when necessary. It is an ideal choice for items needing colourfastness and luster. ABS is characterised by its opacity, rigidity, favourable low-temperature properties and excellent dimensional stability. These qualities make ABS suitable for manufacturing computer casings, telephone handset covers and various other components.
PC (Polycarbonate)
Polycarbonate (PC) is popular among engineering thermoplastics due to its transparency, superior toughness, thermal stability and dimensional stability. Typical uses for PC include: compact discs, riot shields, electrical components, safety helmets, and headlamp lenses.
PP (Polypropylene)
Polypropylene (PP) is a material that is semi-rigid and translucent with good chemical resistance. Furthermore, it is tough featuring good fatigue resistance and good heat resistance. As a result of these properties, PP is used in a variety of applications such as: Flexible Packaging, Rigid Packaging housewares, furniture, appliances, toys, luggage bags and medical products.
POM (Polyacetals)
POM (Polyacetals) are a material characterised by its physical properties. These include: a high mechanical strength, impact resistance, low-temperature toughness, chemical resistance, dimensional stability, natural lubricity and good electrical insulation. As a result of these traits, Polyacetals can be used to produce items such as gears, bearings, conveyors, window guides, speaker grilles and aerosol valves.
PBT (Polybutylene terephthalate)
Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) resins offer excellent mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties, along with good chemical resistance and dimensional stability. They also have low moisture absorption and good flow properties. PBT is used in various applications, including under-bonnet parts, car door handles, connectors, and circuit breakers.
LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene)
LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene) is a material that possesses traits such as semi-rigidity, translucence, toughness, good chemical resistance and low cost. These traits allow LDPE to be used in applications such as the production of squeeze bottles, toys, carrier bags, chemical tank linings, heavy duty sacks, general packaging, gas and water pipes.
HDPE (High Density Polyethylene)
HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) is a polymer that is flexible, translucent, weatherproof, has good low temperature toughness and low cost. These traits make the material a good choice in the production of chemical drums, toys, household and kitchenware, cable insulation, carrier bags and food wrappers.
TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer)
TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomers) possess properties such as being flexible, clear, elastic and wear resistant which makes the material ideal in the production of items such as soles and heels for shoes, mallet hammer heads, seals, gaskets and synthetic leather fabrics.
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) is a material that can be either ridged or flexible depending on its application. Possessing properties such as compatibility with different kinds of additives, PVC can be clear or coloured, easy to process, tough and long lasting. These properties make PVC a choice material in the productions of window frames, drainage pipe, blood storage bags, cable and wire insulation, resilient flooring, roofing membranes, stationary, automotive interiors and seat coverings, packaging, credit cards and synthetic leather.
We hope that you have found this article interesting and have learned more about how diverse the plastics are around us!
You can also visit our website at: Home – Plastic Products International | PPi (ppiuk.net)
This article was written using the British Plastic Federation’s Plastipedia, if you wish to learn more about thermoplastics, follow this link: https://www.bpf.co.uk/plastipedia/polymers/polymer-thermoplastics.aspx
