Plastics - Manufacturing Methods
Plastics - Manufacturing Methods
At some stage in their processing, both thermoplastics and thermosetting plastics are sufficiently fluid to be molded and
formed. The manufacture of most plastics is determined by their final shape.
Many cylindrical plastic objects are made by a process called extrusion. The extrusion of thermoplastics
Polyesters derived from the reaction of acids Moldings, finishes; applications requiring high durability,
Alkyd
with two acid groups, and alcohols with three excellent pigment dispersion, toughness, good adhesion, and good
polyesters
alcoholic groups per molecule flowing properties
Polyesters derived form the reaction of esters of Electrical insulation, applications requiring high resistance to
Allyls
allyl alcohol with dibasic acids heat, humidity, and corrosive chemicals
Derived from the reaction of epichlorohydrin with Encapsulation, electrical insulations, laminates, glass-
Epoxies
hydroxylcontaining compounds reinforced plastics, floorings, coatings adhesives
Polyesters Derived from reactions of dicarboxylic acids with Moldings, laminated or reinforced structures, surface gel
consists of melting and compressing plastic granules by rotating them in a screw conveyor in a long barrel, to which heat may
be applied if necessary. The screw forces the plastic to the end of the barrel where it is pushed through a screen on its way to
the nozzle. The nozzle determines the final shape of the extruded form. Thermosets may also be extruded if the screw in the
conventional extruder is replaced with a plunger-type hydraulic pump.
Plastic powders are directly converted into finished articles by molding. Two types of molding processes are compression
molding and injection molding. In compression molding, which is used with thermosetting materials, steam is first circulated
through the mold to raise it to the desired temperature; then a plastic powder or tablets are introduced into the mold; and the
mold is closed under high pressure and the plastic is liquefied so that it flows throughout the mold. When the mold is
reopened,
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Ureas formaldehyde and amino compounds Dinnerware, interior plywood, foams, insulation
the solid molded unit is ejected. Injection molding differs from compression molding in that plastic material is rendered fluid
outside the mold, and is transferred by pressure into the cooled mold. Injection molding can be used with practically every
plastic material, including rubbers.
Sheets, blocks, and rods may be made in a casting process that in effect involves in situ, or in-place, polymerization. In the
case of acrylics, sheets are cast in glass cells by filling cells with a polymer solution. The polymer solution solidifies and the
sheet is released by separating the glass plates after chilling the assembly in cold water. Blocks can be made in the same way
using a demountable container; and rods can be made by polymerizing a polymer syrup under pressure in a cylindrical metal
tube.
Plastic foams are produced by compounding a polymer resin with a foaming agent or by injecting air or a volatile fluid into
the liquid polymer while it is being processed into a finished product. This results in a finished product with a network of gas
spaces or cells that makes it less dense than the solid polymer. Such foams are light and strong, and the rigid type can be
machined.
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