Plastics

Plastics

1. Acrylic

   • Stiff and Brittle
   • Used to make signs and objects in 2D and 3D

2. Polyvinyl sheet (PVC)

   • Stiff, strong, tough and resists scratching
   • Used to make 2D and 3D shapes and may be used for vacuum-forming

3. High-density PVC foam

   • Stiff, hard, tough and lightweight, with a good resistance to chemicals
   • Machining of 2D and 3D shapes

4. Polystyrene sheet (or styrene sheet)

   • Lightweight, hard, stiff, transparent and brittle. Good water resistance
   • Used for vacuum-forming

5. Corrugated polypropylene

   • Lightweight and tough. Stiff, but not very strong. Hard but scratches easily. Resistant to chemicals.
   • Used for making large constructions

6. Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)

   • Strong, tough, hard, lightweight, and durable. A good surface finish and resistant to chemicals
   • Used to make square or round shaped tubes and is good for making structures. Corrugated polypropylene is available in a range of shapes and colours

7. Polystyrene foam (Styrofoam)

   • Brittle in tension, lightweight, with good heat and sound insulation
   • Available in blocks and used for product-modelling

8. Cellophane

   • Tough, hard, stiff, lightweight, transparent, and non-flammable
   • Used for wrapping round products

9. Polythene

   • Hard, stiff and able to be sterilised
   • Used to make bottles and for shrink-wrapping products.