Thermoplastics

Thermoplastics

1. Acrylic

   • Hard
   • Durable
   • Easily scratched
   • Good electrical insulator
   • Brittle- can easily break
   • Splinters easilty
   • Stiff

2. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

   • good chemical resistance
   • weather resistant
   • stiff, tough, hard and lightweight
   • can become brittle over time
   • uv light causes brittleness

3. Polypropylene (PP)

   • light
   • impact resistant
   • chemical resistant
   • hard
   • uv light causes degradation
   • oxidation can be a problem during manufacturing processes

4. ABS

   • hard
   • chemical resistant
   • tough
   • uv light causes degradation

5. Polystyrine (PS)

   • compressed
     • light
     • hard
     • brittle
     • low impact strength
     • stiff
     • weak
     • ignites easilty
   • expanded
     • buoyant
     • lightweight
     • good insulator
     • crumbles and breaks
     • easily ignites

6. HDPE

   • chemical resistant
   • Good electrical insulator
   • impact resistant
   • flexible
   • color fades over time
   • can break under stress

7. LDPE

   • Good electrical insulator
   • chemical resistant
   • flexible
   • color tends to fade over time
   • can break under stress

8. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)

   • Good alcohol and oil barrier
   • Chemical resistant
   • High impact resistant
   • High tensile strength
   • can discolour
   • when used in containers for foodstuffs it needs to be treated to prevent taste problems