Plastics Explained: From Monomers to 3D Printing

Posted on Mar 16, 2025 in Technology

Plastic Materials: Classification

Plastic materials are classified as:

  • Thermoplastics
  • Thermosets
  • Elastomers

Monomers: The Building Blocks of Plastics

Monomers:

  • Made out of carbon and hydrogen atoms
  • Come together in chains and form polymers
  • Are the main component of all plastics

Understanding Polymer Properties

Polymers:

Are chains of carbon and hydrogen atoms that form plastics.

Thermoplastics: Properties and Uses

Thermoplastics:

Are plastics that soften with heat and can be re-shaped and melted as many times as desired.

Thermoset Plastics: Characteristics

Thermoset Plastics:

Are plastics that are molded by heat, but once formed they cannot be melted again.

Elastomer Plastics: Flexibility and Resilience

Elastomer Plastics:

Are very flexible plastics, which recover their shape and dimensions when external forces stop acting on them, but once conformed they cannot be re-melted.

Matching Examples with Properties

Match each example with its properties:

  • (A,D) a. Polyethylene: d. Thermoplastics. Chemical resistance, pipelines
  • (B;A) b. Polyvinyl chloride: a. Thermoplastics, resistant to impacts and abrasions, doors and window frames
  • (C;B) c. Melamine: b. Thermoset, resistant to high temperatures, kitchen furniture
  • (D;C) d. Rubber: c. Elastomer, very elastic, car tires

More Examples and Properties

Match each example with its properties:

  • (A;D) a. Polystyrene: d. Thermoplastic, very light, thermal insulation
  • (B;C) b. Polyethylene terephthalate: c. Thermoplastics, suitable for food use, bottles
  • (C;B) c. Bakelite: b. Thermoset, hard and fragile, kitchen tool handles
  • (D;A) d. Neoprene: a. Elastomer, insulating and waterproof, immersion suits

True or False: Polypropylene Properties

Polypropylene is an easily moldable and colored thermoset that is used in toys and folders.

True or false? True

True or False: Polycarbonate Properties

Polycarbonate is an impact-resistant thermoplastic with good optical transparency that is used in screens of different devices.

True or false? False

True or False: Post-Forming Machine Process

After the forming process, a machine process is always necessary.

True or false? True

Matching Processes with Classification

Match each process with its classification:

  • (A:B) a. Extrusion: b. Forming
  • (B;C) b. Blow molding; c. Forming
  • (C:A) c. Turning: a. Machining
  • (D;D) d. Milling: d. Machining

More Process and Classification Matching

Match each process with each classification:

  • (A;B) a. Injection molding; b. Forming
  • (B;D) b. Compression molding: d. Forming
  • (C;A) c. Grinding; a. Machining
  • (D:C) d. Turning; c. Machining

Environmental Impact of Plastic Waste

Use of plastics generates a large amount of waste that…

Unlike other materials (such as wood), they are for the most part non-biodegradable; that is, they do not degrade over time.

Mechanical Recycling Explained

Mechanical recycling is a process where…

Thermoplastic plastics are washed, crushed, and melted to then mold new parts.

ABS in 3D Printing: Properties and Considerations

ABS is a plastic used for 3D printing that…

  • Needs a heat bed
  • Emits noxious gases during printing
  • Is very resistant and has certain flexibility

PLA in 3D Printing: Key Requirement

PLA is a plastic used for 3D printing that…

Needs a heat bed.

True or False: Multi-Color 3D Printing

It is possible to print 3D with several colors at once:

True or false? True

True or False: Heat Bed Definition

The term “heat bed” in 3D printing refers to the need or not to heat the surface where the plastic rests.

True or false? False

3D Printing Process Order

Order the processes that must be followed to print a piece in 3D:

A= 3 (Printing)

B= 1 (3D design)

C= 2 (Slicing)