Exploring the Properties, Applications, and Manufacturing of Plastics
PROPERTIES AND APPLICATIONS
LIGHT
Plastics offer convenience in loading and transporting objects or plastic containers due to their lightweight nature.
IMPERMEABLE
We can produce fabrics that protect us from rain or pipes that carry water or gas thanks to the impermeable properties of plastics.
THERMAL INSULATORS
Synthetic fibers in sweaters provide insulation from the cold, and insulating houses with plastics helps prevent energy loss during heating.
ELECTRICAL INSULATORS
Insulating steel cables with plastics enhances safety by preventing electrical accidents.
CORROSION RESISTANT AND WEATHERPROOF
Garden furniture made from plastics resists rusting like iron or rotting like wood.
RESISTANT TO MANY CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES
Plastics enable the safe packaging of highly corrosive chemical products.
EASILY CONFORMED
Objects can be molded into various shapes as plastics melt and become pliable when heated.
TOUGH
The toughness of plastics allows for the manufacturing of impact-resistant windows, bottles, and lenses for glasses.
PHOTODEGRADABLE
Continuous exposure to sunlight can degrade plastics over time, making them more brittle.
ADVANTAGES
- Lightweight, leading to energy savings in transportation.
- Low melting point, reducing energy consumption during manufacturing.
- Effective thermal insulators, contributing to energy efficiency in homes.
DISADVANTAGES
- Non-biodegradable, posing environmental challenges as waste.
- Potential toxicity of certain plastics when incinerated.
- Recycling complexities due to the variety of plastic types.
BIOPLASTICS
With the depletion of oil and natural gas reserves, recycling and the use of bioplastics derived from vegetable sources and organic waste are gaining importance.
THERMOPLASTICS
Thermoplastics soften with heat and regain rigidity upon cooling due to their linear polymer structure with weak bonds. They are commonly used in various applications and identified by numeric codes for recycling.
EXAMPLES
- PET: Carbonated drink bottles
- HDPE: Buckets, washbasins
- PVC: Windows
- LDPE: Plastic bags
- PP: Stoppers, hinged caps
- PS: Yogurt packs
THERMOSETS
Thermosets maintain their rigidity even when heated due to strong bonds between polymer chains. They are generally stiffer, more brittle, and more resistant to high temperatures than thermoplastics.
MAIN PLASTIC MANUFACTURING PROCESSES
COMPRESSION MOLDING
Primarily used for thermosets, this process involves heating and pressing plastic in a mold to achieve the desired shape.
BLOW MOLDING
Molten plastic is extruded into a tube, placed in a mold, and expanded with air to form hollow objects.
VACUUM FORMING
A heated plastic sheet is placed over a mold, and air is extracted to create a vacuum that conforms the plastic to the mold’s shape.