Plastics

Plastics

1. Thermosets

   • Melamine Formaldenhhyde
     • Tableware, decorative laminates for work surfaces
     • Rigid, Good strength, hardness, scratch resistance
   • Polyester Resins
     • Castings, Glass Reinforced plastic (boat hull)
     • Rigid, Brittle, good heat and chemical resistance
   • Urea Formaldehyde
     • Electrical fittings, adhesives
     • Rigid, Hard, Good strength, brittle, heat resistance, good electrical insulator
   • Epoxy Resins
     • Surface coating, encapsulation of electronic components, adhesives
     • High strength when reinforced (Glass fibres), good chemical resistance

2. Thermoplastics

   • Cellulose Acetate (CA)
     • Handles for cutlery; Door Knobs; Glasses frames
     • Tough; Rigid; lightweight; transparent
   • Nylon
     • Bearings; Curtain fittings; clothing
     • Hard; Tough; low coefficient of friction.
   • ABS
     • Kitchen Appliances; Hard Hats; Some car parts; Domestic telephones
     • High Impact strength; Tough; Strong; Light weight; Durable; Scratch Resistant.
   • Low Density Polyethylene (PDPE)
     • Detergent squeezy bottles, toys, carrier bags
     • Low Density, low stiffness, good chemical resistance
   • Polycarbonate (PC)
     • Safety helmets/glasses; Hairdryer Bodies; street light covers
     • Good chemical resistance; expensive material
   • Polyethylene (PET)
     • Clothing fibres; beer bottles; electrical plugs and sockets; video tapes
     • Moderate chemical resistance
   • Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
     • Hose pipes, cable insulation
     • Good Chemical Resistance, Rigid, Hard, Tough, Lightweight
   • High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
     • Crates, bottles, buckets, bowls
     • High density, good stiffness, good chemical resistance
   • Acrylic (PMMA)
     • Food Safe; Tough; durable; hard; easily machined
     • Light Units; Illuminate Signs; Car light lenses.
   • Polypropylene (PP)
     • Lightweight; food safe; good impact and chemical resistance.
     • Food containers; Medical equipment; rope.
   • High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS)
     • Good strength; good impact resistance; stiff; lightweight.
     • Toys
   • Polystyrene (PS)
     • Lightweight; rigid; Colourless; low impact strength
     • Packaging; Disposable cups and plates