PLASTICS

PLASTICS

1. They are materials formed by chais of carbon and hydrogen atoms. These chains are called polymers, while the atoms that form them are called monomers.

   • THERMOPLASTICS
     • Softened by heating but some resist high T
       • Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
         • Highly resisitant to abrasion and impact
         • Used in cable insulation and profiles for doors and windows
       • Polyethylene (PE)
         • Non-toxic
         • Packaging (bags, bottles containers, pipes...)
         • Most common.
         • Good quemical resistance.
       • Polystyrene (PS)
         • Lightweight, transparent.
         • Packaging and for heat insulation.
       • Teflon
         • Resistant to quemicals and high temperatures.
         • Used to coat frying pans and other kitchen utensils
       • Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
         • Used for bottles
         • Food use.
         • Recyclable.
         • Transparent and easy to dye.
       • Polycarbonate (PC)
         • It´s highly resistant to impact and heat
         • Good optical transparecy
       • Polypropylene (PP)
         • Easy to model and dye
         • Used for toys, folders and packaging
         • Resistant to solvents and splintering.
     • Weak bonds
     • Can be melted lots of times.
     • Separate chains.
   • THERMOSET
     • Chains that criss-cross to form networks.
       • Melamine
         • It´s resistant to high temperatures and quemicals
         • Used as a coating for wooden boards and in the manufacture of kitchen cupboards
       • Polyester resins
         • It´s rigid and brittle.
         • Used for car bodies, doestic swimming pools...
       • Bakelite
         • A hard and dark plastic that
         • Used to make handles of kitchen utensils, electrical accesories...
         • Withstands heat well
     • Shaped using heat.
     • Can´t be re-melted
   • ELASTOMERS
     • Formed by coiled polymer chains.
       • Neoprene
         • It´s flexible,insulated and waterproof
         • Immersion suits
       • Rubber
         • Natural (latex) or synthetic
         • It´s used to make tyres, hoses rubber bands...
         • Elastic.
     • flexible materials
     • can degrade easily with heat
     • can´t be re-melted

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