Plastic

Household items made of various types of plastic

A plastic material is any of a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic organic solids used in the
manufacture of industrial products. Plastics are typically polymers of high molecular mass, and
may contain other substances to improve performance and/or reduce costs. Monomers of plastic
are either natural or synthetic organic compounds.

The word plastic is derived from the Greek πλαστικός (plastikos) meaning capable of being
shaped or molded, from πλαστός (plastos) meaning molded.[1][2] It refers to their malleability, or
plasticity during manufacture, that allows them to be cast, pressed, or extruded into a variety of
shapes—such as films, fibers, plates, tubes, bottles, boxes, and much more.

The common word plastic should not be confused with the technical adjective plastic, which is
applied to any material which undergoes a permanent change of shape (plastic deformation)
when strained beyond a certain point. Aluminum which is stamped or forged, for instance,
exhibits plasticity in this sense, but is not plastic in the common sense; in contrast, in their
finished forms, some plastics will break before deforming and therefore are not plastic in the
technical sense.

There are two types of plastics: thermoplastics and thermosetting polymers. Thermoplastics are
the plastics that don't undergo chemical change in their composition when heated and can be
moulded again and again; examples are polyethylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride and
polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).[3] Thermosets can melt and take shape once; after they have
solidified, they stay solid.

The raw materials needed to make most plastics come from petroleum and natural gas.[4]
Contents
 1 Overview
 2 Chemical structure
o 2.1 Families
 3 History
 4 Types
o 4.1 Cellulose-based plastics
o 4.2 Bakelite
o 4.3 Polystyrene and Polyvinyl Chloride
o 4.4 Nylon
o 4.5 Rubber
o 4.6 Synthetic rubber
 5 Toxicity
 6 Environmental issues
o 6.1 Biodegradable (compostable) plastics
o 6.2 Bioplastics
o 6.3 Oxo-biodegradable
 7 Price, environment, and the future
 8 Common plastics and uses
 9 Special purpose plastics
 10 See also
 11 References
 12 External links

Overview
Plastics can be classified by chemical structure, namely the molecular units that make up the
polymer's backbone and side chains. Some important groups in these classifications are the
acrylics, polyesters, silicones, polyurethanes, and halogenated plastics. Plastics can also be
classified by the chemical process used in their synthesis, such as condensation, polyaddition,
and cross-linking.[5]

Also, most plastics can be bent, by vacuum moulding. This process can shape plastics around
moulds, i.e. model cars, for instance.

Other classifications are based on qualities that are relevant for manufacturing or product design.
Examples of such classes are the thermoplastic and thermoset, elastomer, structural,
biodegradable, and electrically conductive. Plastics can also be classified by various physical
properties, such as density, tensile strength, glass transition temperature, and resistance to
various chemical products.
Due to their relatively low cost, ease of manufacture, versatility, and imperviousness to water,
plastics are used in an enormous and expanding range of products, from paper clips to
spaceships. They have already displaced many traditional materials, such as wood; stone; horn
and bone; leather; paper; metal; glass; and ceramic, in most of their former uses.

The use of plastics is constrained chiefly by their organic chemistry, which seriously limits their
hardness, density, and their ability to resist heat, organic solvents, oxidation, and ionizing
radiation. In particular, most plastics will melt or decompose when heated to a few hundred
degrees celsius.[6] While plastics can be made electrically conductive, with the conductivity of up
to 80 kS/cm in stretch-oriented polyacetylene,[7][8][9][10] they are still no match for most metals like
copper which have conductivities of several hundreds kS/cm. Plastics are still too expensive to
replace wood, concrete and ceramic in bulky items like ordinary buildings, bridges, dams,
pavement, and railroad ties.[citation needed]

Chemical structure
Common thermoplastics range from 20,000 to 500,000 amu, while thermosets are assumed to
have infinite molecular weight. These chains are made up of many repeating molecular units,
known as repeat units, derived from monomers; each polymer chain will have several thousand
repeating units. The vast majority of plastics are composed of polymers of carbon and hydrogen
alone or with oxygen, nitrogen, chlorine or sulfur in the backbone. (Some of commercial
interests are silicon based.) The backbone is that part of the chain on the main "path" linking a
large number of repeat units together. To customize the properties of a plastic, different
molecular groups "hang" from the backbone (usually they are "hung" as part of the monomers
before linking monomers together to form the polymer chain). This fine tuning of the properties
of the polymer by repeating unit's molecular structure has allowed plastics to become such an
indispensable part of twenty first-century world.

Some plastics are partially crystalline and partially amorphous in molecular structure, giving
them both a melting point (the temperature at which the attractive intermolecular forces are
overcome) and one or more glass transitions (temperatures above which the extent of localized
molecular flexibility is substantially increased). The so-called semi-crystalline plastics include
polyethylene, polypropylene, poly (vinyl chloride), polyamides (nylons), polyesters and some
polyurethanes. Many plastics are completely amorphous, such as polystyrene and its copolymers,
poly (methyl methacrylate), and all thermosets.
Molded plastic food replicas on display outside a restaurant in Japan

Families

Plastics families

Amorphous Semi-crystalline
Ultra polymers PI, SRP, TPI, PAI, HTS PFSA, PEEK
Fluoropolymers: LCP, PARA, HPN,
High performance PPS, PPA
PPSU, PEI, PESU, PSU
polymers
Other polyamides
PC, PPC, COC, PMMA, ABS, PEX, PVDC, PBT, PET, POM, PA 6,6,
Mid range polymers
PVC Alloys UHMWPE
Commodity polymers PS, PVC PP, HDPE, LDPE

History
The first human-made plastic was invented by Alexander Parkes in 1855;[11] he called this plastic
Parkesine (later called celluloid). It was unveiled at the 1862 Great International Exhibition in
London.[12] The development of plastics has come from the use of natural plastic materials (e.g.,
chewing gum, shellac) to the use of chemically modified natural materials (e.g., rubber,
nitrocellulose, collagen, galalite) and finally to completely synthetic molecules (e.g., bakelite,
epoxy, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene). In 1866, Parkes formed the Parkesine Company to
mass produce the material. The company, however, failed due to poor product quality as Parkes
tried to reduce costs. Parkesine's successors were Xylonite, produced by Daniel Spill (an
associate of Parkes), and Celluloid from John Wesley Hyatt. Parkesine was made from cellulose
treated with nitric acid and a solvent. The generic name of Parkesine is pyroxylin, or Celluloid.
Parkesine is often synthetic ivory. The Parkesine company ceased trading in 1868. Pictures of
Parkesine are held by the Plastics Historical Society of London. There is a plaque on the wall of
the site of the Parkesine Works.[13]

Types
Cellulose-based plastics

Parkes developed a synthetic replacement for ivory which he marketed under the trade name
Parkesine, and which won a bronze medal at the 1862 World's fair in London. Parkesine was
made from cellulose (the major component of plant cell walls) treated with nitric acid and a
solvent. The output of the process (commonly known as cellulose nitrate or pyroxilin) could be
dissolved in alcohol and hardened into a transparent and elastic material that could be molded
when heated.[14] By incorporating pigments into the product, it could be made to resemble ivory.

Bois Durci is a plastic molding material based on cellulose. It was patented in Paris by Lepage in
1855. It is made from finely ground wood flour mixed with a binder, either egg or blood
albumen, or gelatine. The wood is probably either ebony or rose wood, which gives a black or
brown resin. The mixture is dried and ground into a fine powder. The powder is placed in a steel
mold and compressed in a powerful hydraulic press while being heated by steam. The final
product has a highly polished finish imparted by the surface of the steel mold.

Bakelite

The first so called plastic based on a synthetic polymer was made from phenol and
formaldehyde, with the first viable and cheap synthesis methods invented in 1907, by Leo
Hendrik Baekeland, a Belgian-born American living in New York state. Baekeland was
searching for an insulating shellac to coat wires in electric motors and generators. He found that
mixtures of phenol (C6H5OH) and formaldehyde (HCOH) formed a sticky mass when mixed
together and heated, and the mass became extremely hard if allowed to cool. He continued his
investigations and found that the material could be mixed with wood flour, asbestos, or slate dust
to create "composite" materials with different properties. Most of these compositions were strong
and fire resistant. The only problem was that the material tended to foam during synthesis, and
the resulting product was of unacceptable quality.

Baekeland built pressure vessels to force out the bubbles and provide a smooth, uniform product.
He publicly announced his discovery in 1912, naming it bakelite. It was originally used for
electrical and mechanical parts, finally coming into widespread use in consumer goods in the
1920s. When the Bakelite patent expired in 1930, the Catalin Corporation acquired the patent
and began manufacturing Catalin plastic using a different process that allowed a wider range of
coloring.

Bakelite was the first true plastic. It was a purely synthetic material, not based on any material or
even molecule found in nature. It was also the first thermosetting plastic. Conventional
thermoplastics can be molded and then melted again, but thermoset plastics form bonds between
polymers strands when cured, creating a tangled matrix that cannot be undone without destroying
the plastic. Thermoset plastics are tough and temperature resistant.
Bakelite was cheap, strong, and durable. It was molded into thousands of forms, such as cases for
radios, telephones and clocks, and billiard balls.

Phenol-based ("Phenolic") plastics have been largely replaced by cheaper and less brittle plastics,
but they are still used in applications requiring their insulating and heat-resistant properties. For
example, some electronic circuit boards are made of sheets of paper or cloth impregnated with
phenolic resin.

Polystyrene and Polyvinyl Chloride

Plastic piping and firestops being installed in Ontario. Certain plastic pipes can be used in some
non-combustible buildings, provided they are firestopped properly and that the flame spread
ratings comply with the local building code.

After the First World War, improvements in chemical technology led to an explosion in new
forms of plastics. Among the earliest examples in the wave of new plastics were polystyrene
(PS) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

Polystyrene is a rigid, brittle, inexpensive plastic that has been used to make plastic model kits
and similar knick-knacks. It would also be the basis for one of the most popular "foamed"
plastics, under the name styrene foam or Styrofoam. Foam plastics can be synthesized in an
"open cell" form, in which the foam bubbles are interconnected, as in an absorbent sponge, and
"closed cell", in which all the bubbles are distinct, like tiny balloons, as in gas-filled foam
insulation and flotation devices. In the late 1950s, high impact styrene was introduced, which
was not brittle. It finds much current use as the substance of toy figurines and novelties.

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC, commonly called "vinyl")[15] has side chains incorporating chlorine
atoms, which form strong bonds. PVC in its normal form is stiff, strong, heat and weather
resistant, and is now used for making plumbing, gutters, house siding, enclosures for computers
and other electronics gear. PVC can also be softened with chemical processing, and in this form
it is now used for shrink-wrap, food packaging, and rain gear.

All PVC polymers are degraded by heat and light. When this happens, hydrogen chloride is
released into the atmosphere and oxidation of the compound occurs.[16] Because hydrogen
chloride readily combines with water vapor in the air to form hydrochloric acid,[17] polyvinyl
chloride is not recommended for long-term archival storage of silver, photographic film or paper
(mylar is preferable).[18]

Nylon

The real star of the plastics industry in the 1930s was polyamide (PA), far better known by its
trade name nylon. Nylon was the first purely synthetic fiber, introduced by DuPont Corporation
at the 1939 World's Fair in New York City.

In 1927, DuPont had begun a secret development project designated Fiber66, under the direction
of Harvard chemist Wallace Carothers and chemistry department director Elmer Keiser Bolton.
Carothers had been hired to perform pure research, and he worked to understand the new
materials' molecular structure and physical properties. He took some of the first steps in the
molecular design of the materials.

His work led to the discovery of synthetic nylon fiber, which was very strong but also very
flexible. The first application was for bristles for toothbrushes. However, Du Pont's real target
was silk, particularly silk stockings. Carothers and his team synthesized a number of different
polyamides including polyamide 6.6 and 4.6, as well as polyesters.[19]
General condensation polymerization reaction for nylon

It took DuPont twelve years and US$27 million to refine nylon, and to synthesize and develop
the industrial processes for bulk manufacture. With such a major investment, it was no surprise
that Du Pont spared little expense to promote nylon after its introduction, creating a public
sensation, or "nylon mania".

Nylon mania came to an abrupt stop at the end of 1941 when the USA entered World War II.
The production capacity that had been built up to produce nylon stockings, or just nylons, for
American women was taken over to manufacture vast numbers of parachutes for fliers and
paratroopers. After the war ended, DuPont went back to selling nylon to the public, engaging in
another promotional campaign in 1946 that resulted in an even bigger craze, triggering the so
called nylon riots.

Subsequently polyamides 6, 10, 11, and 12 have been developed based on monomers which are
ring compounds; e.g. caprolactam. Nylon 66 is a material manufactured by condensation
polymerization.

Nylons still remain important plastics, and not just for use in fabrics. In its bulk form it is very
wear resistant, particularly if oil-impregnated, and so is used to build gears, plain bearings, and
because of good heat-resistance, increasingly for under-the-hood applications in cars, and other
mechanical parts.

Rubber

Natural rubber is an elastomer (an elastic hydrocarbon polymer) that was originally derived from
latex, a milky colloidal suspension found in the sap of some plants. It is useful directly in this
form (indeed, the first appearance of rubber in Europe is cloth waterproofed with unvulcanized
latex from Brazil) but, later, in 1839, Charles Goodyear invented vulcanized rubber; this a form
of natural rubber heated with, mostly, sulfur forming cross-links between polymer chains
(vulcanization), improving elasticity and durability.

Synthetic rubber

The first fully synthetic rubber was synthesized by Sergei Lebedev in 1910. In World War II,
supply blockades of natural rubber from South East Asia caused a boom in development of
synthetic rubber, notably styrene-butadiene rubber. In 1941, annual production of synthetic
rubber in the U.S. was only 231 tonnes which increased to 840,000 tonnes in 1945. In the space
race and nuclear arms race, Caltech researchers experimented with using synthetic rubbers for
solid fuel for rockets. Ultimately, all large military rockets and missiles would use synthetic
rubber based solid fuels, and they would also play a significant part in the civilian space effort.
Toxicity
Due to their insolubility in water and relative chemical inertness, pure plastics generally have
low toxicity in their finished state, and will pass through the digestive system with no ill effect
(other than mechanical damage or obstruction). However, plastics often contain a variety of toxic
additives. For example, plasticizers like adipates and phthalates are often added to brittle plastics
like polyvinyl chloride (PVC) to make them pliable enough for use in food packaging, toys and
teethers, tubing, shower curtains and other items. Traces of these chemicals can leach out of the
plastic when it comes into contact with food. Out of these concerns, the European Union has
banned the use of DEHP (di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate), the most widely used plasticizer in PVC.
Some compounds leaching from polystyrene food containers have been found to interfere with
hormone functions and are suspected human carcinogens.[20]

Moreover, while the finished plastic may be non-toxic, the monomers used in its manufacture
may be toxic; and small amounts of those chemicals may remain trapped in the product. The
World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has
recognized the chemical used to make PVC, vinyl chloride, as a known human carcinogen.[20]
Some polymers may also decompose into the monomers or other toxic substances when heated.

The primary building block of polycarbonates, bisphenol A (BPA), is an estrogen-like endocrine

disruptor that may leach into food.[20] Research in Environmental Health Perspectives finds that
BPA leached from the lining of tin cans, dental sealants and polycarbonate bottles can increase
body weight of lab animals' offspring.[21] A more recent animal study suggests that even low-
level exposure to BPA results in insulin resistance, which can lead to inflammation and heart
disease.[22]

As of January 2010, the LA Times newspaper reports that the United States FDA is spending
$30 million to investigate suspicious indications of BPA being linked to cancer.[23]

Bis(2-ethylhexyl) adipate, present in plastic wrap based on PVC, is also of concern, as are the
volatile organic compounds present in new car smell.

The European Union has a permanent ban on the use of phthalates in toys. In 2009, the United
States government banned certain types of phthalates commonly used in plastic.[24]

Environmental issues
Plastics are durable and degrade very slowly; the molecular bonds that make plastic so durable
make it equally resistant to natural processes of degradation. Since the 1950s, one billion tons of
plastic have been discarded and may persist for hundreds or even thousands of years.[25] In some
cases, burning plastic can release toxic fumes. Burning the plastic polyvinyl chloride (PVC) may
create dioxin.[26] Also, the manufacturing of plastics often creates large quantities of chemical
pollutants.
Prior to the ban on the use of CFCs in extrusion of polystyrene (and general use, except in life-
critical fire suppression systems; see Montreal Protocol), the production of polystyrene
contributed to the depletion of the ozone layer; however, non-CFCs are currently used in the
extrusion process.

By 1995, plastic recycling programs were common in the United States and elsewhere.
Thermoplastics can be remelted and reused, and thermoset plastics can be ground up and used as
filler, though the purity of the material tends to degrade with each reuse cycle. There are methods
by which plastics can be broken back down to a feedstock state.

Plastic can be converted as a fuel. Plastic is made from crude, so it can be broken down to liquid
hydrocarbon. One kilogram of waste plastic produces a liter of hydrocarbon. Plastic wastes are
used in cement plants as a fuel.[27][28][29]

To assist recycling of disposable items, the Plastic Bottle Institute of the Society of the Plastics
Industry devised a now-familiar scheme to mark plastic bottles by plastic type. A plastic
container using this scheme is marked with a triangle of three "chasing arrows", which encloses a
number giving the plastic type:

Plastics type marks: the resin identification code

1. PET (PETE), polyethylene terephthalate

2. HDPE, high-density polyethylene
3. PVC, polyvinyl chloride
4. LDPE, low-density polyethylene,
5. PP, polypropylene
6. PS, polystyrene
7. Other types of plastics (see list, below)

Unfortunately, recycling of plastics has proven to be a difficult process. The biggest problem is
that it is difficult to automate the sorting of plastic wastes, making it labor intensive. Typically,
workers sort the plastic by looking at the resin identification code, although common containers
like soda bottles can be sorted from memory. Typically, the caps for PETE bottles are made from
a different kind of plastic which is not recyclable, which presents additional problems to the
automated sorting process. Other recyclable materials such as metals are easier to process
mechanically. However, new processes of mechanical sorting are being developed to increase
capacity and efficiency of plastic recycling.

While containers are usually made from a single type and color of plastic, making them
relatively easy to be sorted, a consumer product like a cellular phone may have many small parts
consisting of over a dozen different types and colors of plastics. In such cases, the resources it
would take to separate the plastics far exceed their value and the item is discarded. However,
developments are taking place in the field of active disassembly, which may result in more
consumer product components being re-used or recycled. Recycling certain types of plastics can
be unprofitable, as well. For example, polystyrene is rarely recycled because it is usually not cost
effective. These unrecycled wastes are typically disposed of in landfills, incinerated or used to
produce electricity at waste-to-energy plants.

Biodegradable (compostable) plastics

Research has been done on biodegradable plastics that break down with exposure to sunlight
(e.g., ultra-violet radiation), water or dampness, bacteria, enzymes, wind abrasion and some
instances rodent pest or insect attack are also included as forms of biodegradation or
environmental degradation. It is clear some of these modes of degradation will only work if the
plastic is exposed at the surface, while other modes will only be effective if certain conditions
exist in landfill or composting systems. Starch powder has been mixed with plastic as a filler to
allow it to degrade more easily, but it still does not lead to complete breakdown of the plastic.
Some researchers have actually genetically engineered bacteria that synthesize a completely
biodegradable plastic, but this material, such as Biopol, is expensive at present.[30] The German
chemical company BASF makes Ecoflex, a fully biodegradable polyester for food packaging
applications.

Bioplastics

Some plastics can be obtained from biomass, including:

 from pea starch film with trigger biodegradation properties for agricultural applications
(TRIGGER).[31]
 from biopetroleum.[32]

Oxo-biodegradable

Oxo-biodegradable (OBD) plastic is polyolefin plastic to which has been added very small
(catalytic) amounts of metal salts. As long as the plastic has access to oxygen (as in a littered
state), these additives catalyze the natural degradation process to speed it up so that the OBD
plastic will degrade when subject to environmental conditions. Once degraded to a small enough
particle they can interact with biological processes to produce to water, carbon dioxide and
biomass. The process is shortened from hundreds of years to months for degradation and
thereafter biodegradation depends on the micro-organisms in the environment. Typically this
process is not fast enough to meet ASTM D6400 standards for definition as compostable
plastics.

Price, environment, and the future

The biggest threat to the conventional plastics industry is most likely to be environmental
concerns, including the release of toxic pollutants, greenhouse gas, litter, biodegradable and non-
biodegradable landfill impact as a result of the production and disposal of petroleum and
petroleum-based plastics. Of particular concern has been the recent accumulation of enormous
quantities of plastic trash in ocean gyres.

For decades one of the great appeals of plastics has been their low price. Yet in recent years the
cost of plastics has been rising dramatically. A major cause is the sharply rising cost of
petroleum, the raw material that is chemically altered to form commercial plastics.

With some observers suggesting that future oil reserves are uncertain, the price of petroleum may
increase further. Therefore, alternatives are being sought. Oil shale and tar oil are alternatives for
plastic production but are expensive. Scientists are seeking cheaper and better alternatives to
petroleum-based plastics, and many candidates are in laboratories all over the world. One
promising alternative may be fructose.[33]

Common plastics and uses

A chair made with a polypropylene seat

 Polyester (PES) - Fibers, textiles.

 Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) - Carbonated drinks bottles, peanut butter jars, plastic
film, microwavable packaging.
 Polyethylene (PE) - Wide range of inexpensive uses including supermarket bags, plastic
bottles.
 High-density polyethylene - Detergent bottles and milk jugs.
 Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) - Plumbing pipes and guttering, shower curtains, window
frames, flooring.
 Polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) (Saran) - Food packaging.
  Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) - Outdoor furniture, siding, floor tiles, shower
curtains, clamshell packaging.
 Polypropylene (PP) - Bottle caps, drinking straws, yogurt containers, appliances, car
fenders (bumpers), plastic pressure pipe systems.
 Polystyrene (PS) - Packaging foam/"peanuts", food containers, plastic tableware,
disposable cups, plates, cutlery, CD and cassette boxes.
 High impact polystyrene (HIPS) -: Refrigerator liners, food packaging, vending cups.
 Polyamides (PA) (Nylons) - Fibers, toothbrush bristles, fishing line, under-the-hood car
engine moldings.
 Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) - Electronic equipment cases (e.g., computer
monitors, printers, keyboards), drainage pipe.
 Polycarbonate (PC) - Compact discs, eyeglasses, riot shields, security windows, traffic
lights, lenses.
 Polycarbonate/Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (PC/ABS) - A blend of PC and ABS that
creates a stronger plastic. Used in car interior and exterior parts, and mobile phone
bodies.
 Polyurethanes (PU) - Cushioning foams, thermal insulation foams, surface coatings,
printing rollers (Currently 6th or 7th most commonly used plastic material, for instance
the most commonly used plastic found in cars).

Special purpose plastics

 Melamine formaldehyde (MF) - One of the aminoplasts, and used as a multi-colorable
alternative to phenolics, for instance in moldings (e.g., break-resistance alternatives to
ceramic cups, plates and bowls for children) and the decorated top surface layer of the
paper laminates (e.g., Formica).
 Plastarch material - Biodegradable and heat resistant, thermoplastic composed of
modified corn starch.
 Phenolics (PF) or (phenol formaldehydes) - High modulus, relatively heat resistant, and
excellent fire resistant polymer. Used for insulating parts in electrical fixtures, paper
laminated products (e.g., Formica), thermally insulation foams. It is a thermosetting
plastic, with the familiar trade name Bakelite, that can be molded by heat and pressure
when mixed with a filler-like wood flour or can be cast in its unfilled liquid form or cast
as foam (e.g., Oasis). Problems include the probability of moldings naturally being dark
colors (red, green, brown), and as thermoset it is difficult to recycle.
 Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) - Strong, chemical- and heat-resistant thermoplastic,
biocompatibility allows for use in medical implant applications, aerospace moldings. One
of the most expensive commercial polymers.
 Polyetherimide (PEI) (Ultem) - A high temperature, chemically stable polymer that does
not crystallize.
 Polylactic acid (PLA) - A biodegradable, thermoplastic found converted into a variety of
aliphatic polyesters derived from lactic acid which in turn can be made by fermentation
of various agricultural products such as corn starch, once made from dairy products.
 Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) - Contact lenses, glazing (best known in this form by
its various trade names around the world; e.g., Perspex, Oroglas, Plexiglas), aglets,
 fluorescent light diffusers, rear light covers for vehicles. It forms the basis of artistic and
commercial acrylic paints when suspended in water with the use of other agents.
 Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) - Heat-resistant, low-friction coatings, used in things like
non-stick surfaces for frying pans, plumber's tape and water slides. It is more commonly
known as Teflon.
 Urea-formaldehyde (UF) - One of the aminoplasts and used as a multi-colorable
alternative to phenolics. Used as a wood adhesive (for plywood, chipboard, hardboard)
and electrical switch housings.

Types of Plastic

› Home  › Types of Plastic

There exist about 50 different types of plastics. Broadly plastics can be classified into two types namely

Thermosetting and Thermoplastic. The Thermosetting Plastics are those that cannot be soften again, after being

exposed to heat and pressure. On the action of heat and pressure, the molecular chain of thermosetting plastics

become cross-linked, due to what it forbids the slippage when pressure& heat are reapplied.

The thermoplastic are those that can be soften again and again & remade by the action of heat and pressure. On the

action of heat and pressure, the molecular chain of thermoplastics undergoes change and the polymers slide past

each other, that results in the property of plasticity. Some of the different thermoplastic and thermosetting plastics are

mentioned below.

 Vinyl Plastics :- Vinyl plastics belong to the thermoplastic group. Vinyl plastics are the sub-polymers of vinyl

derivatives. These are used in laminated safety glasses, flexible tubing, molded products etc.

 Polyurethane Plastics :- Polyurethane plastics belong to the group that can be thermosetting or

thermoplastic. Polyurethane is the only plastic which can be made in both rigid and flexible foams. The flexible

polyurethane foam is used in mattresses, carpets, furniture etc. The rigid polyurethane foam is used in chair

shells, mirror frames and many more. Due to the property of high elasticity, some polyurethane plastics are

used in decorative and protective coatings. The high elasticity makes these polyurethane plastics resistant to a

chemical attack.

 Polyacrylics Plastics :- Polyacrylics belong to the group of thermoplastics. Polyacrylics are transparent and

decorative. Polyacrylics plastics can be shaped in any form like the windshields for airplane.
Apart from these, plastics have been also divided into seven different types by the plastic industry. These seven

types of plastics are :-

1. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE) :- PETE is one the most recycled plastic. It finds usage in various

bottles like that of soda and cooking oil, etc.

2. High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) :- HDPE is generally used in detergent bottles and in milk jugs.

3. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) :- PVC is commonly used in plastic pipes, furniture, water bottles, liquid detergent

jars etc.

4. Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) :- LDPE finds its usage in dry cleaning bags, food storage containers

etc.

5. Polypropylene (PP) :- PP is commonly used in bottle caps and drinking straws.

6. Polystyrene (PS) :- PS is used in cups, plastic tableware etc.

7. Other :- This category of plastics include those plastics which are different from the six aforesaid

types of plastic. These plastics are usually used in food containers and in Tupperware.
Types of plastics

Plastics are natural/synthetic materials. They are produced by chemically modifying natural
substances or are synthesized from inorganic and organic raw materials. On the basis of their
physical characteristics, plastics are usually divided into thermosets, elastomers and
thermoplastics. These groups differ primarily with regard to molecular structure, which is what
determines their differing thermal behavior. The following Table lists the characteristics of the
various types of plastics.

Type of plastic Molecular structure Characteristics and applications

Thermosets Thermosets are hard and have a very tight-meshed,

branched molecular structure. Curing proceeds
during shaping, after which it is no longer possible
to shape the material by heating. Further shaping
may then only be performed by machining.
Thermosets are used, for example, to make light
switches.

Elastomers While elastomers also have a crosslinked structure,

they have a looser mesh than thermosets, giving
rise to a degree of elasticity. Once shaped,
elastomers also cannot be reshaped by heating.
Elastomers are used, for example, to produce
automobile tires.

Thermoplastics Thermoplastics have a linear or branched molecular

structure which determines their strength and
thermal behavior; they are flexible at ordinary
temperatures. At approx. 120 - 180°C,
thermoplastics become a pasty/liquid mass. The
service temperature range for thermoplastics is
considerably lower than that for thermosets. The
thermoplastics polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl
chloride (PVC) and polystyrene (PS) are used, for
example, in packaging applications.

 plastics recycling
 plastic bottles
 plastic bags
Recycling by the Numbers
The symbol code we’re familiar with—a single digit ranging from 1 to 7 and surrounded by a triangle
of arrows—was designed by The Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI) in 1988 to allow consumers and
recyclers to differentiate types of plastics while providing a uniform coding system for manufacturers.

The numbers, which 39 U.S. states now require to be molded or imprinted on all eight-ounce to five-
gallon containers that can accept the half-inch minimum-size symbol, identify the type of plastic.
According to the American Plastics Council, an industry trade group, the symbols also help recyclers
do their jobs more effectively.

Easy Plastics to Recycle

The easiest and most common plastics to recycle are made of polyethylene terephthalate (PETE) and
are assigned the number 1. Examples include soda and water bottles, medicine containers, and many
other common consumer product containers. Once it has been processed by a recycling facility, PETE
can become fiberfill for winter coats, sleeping bags and life jackets. It can also be used to make bean
bags, rope, car bumpers, tennis ball felt, combs, cassette tapes, sails for boats, furniture and, of
course, other plastic bottles.

Number 2 is reserved for high-density polyethylene plastics. These include heavier containers that
hold laundry detergents and bleaches as well as milk, shampoo and motor oil. Plastic labeled with the
number 2 is often recycled into toys, piping, plastic lumber and rope. Like plastic designated number
1, it is widely accepted at recycling centers.

Plastics Less Commonly Recycled

Polyvinyl chloride, commonly used in plastic pipes, shower curtains, medical tubing, vinyl dashboards,
and even some baby bottle nipples, gets number 3. Like numbers 4 (wrapping films, grocery and
sandwich bags, and other containers made of low-density polyethylene) and 5 (polypropylene
containers used in Tupperware, among other products), few municipal recycling centers will accept it
due to its very low rate of recyclability.

Another Useful Plastic to Recycle

Number 6 goes on polystyrene (Styrofoam) items such as coffee cups, disposable cutlery, meat trays,
packing “peanuts” and insulation. It is widely accepted because it can be reprocessed into many
items, including cassette tapes and rigid foam insulation.

Hardest Plastics to Recycle

Last, but far from least, are items crafted from various combinations of the aforementioned plastics or
from unique plastic formulations not commonly used. Usually imprinted with a number 7 or nothing at
all, these plastics are the most difficult to recycle and, as such, are seldom collected or recycled. More
ambitious consumers can feel free to return such items to the product manufacturers to avoid
contributing to the local waste stream, and instead put the burden on the makers to recycle or dispose
of the items properly.
Plastic recycling
Plastic recycling is the process of recovering scrap or waste plastics and reprocessing the
material into useful products, sometimes completely different in form from their original state.
For instance, this could mean melting down soft drink bottles and then casting them as plastic
chairs and tables. Typically a plastic is not recycled into the same type of plastic, and products
made from recycled plastics are often not recyclable.[citation needed]

Contents
 1 Challenges
 2 Processes
o 2.1 Monomer recycling
o 2.2 Thermal depolymerization
o 2.3 Heat compression
o 2.4 Other processes
 3 Applications
o 3.1 PET
o 3.2 PVC
o 3.3 HDPE
o 3.4 Other plastics
 4 Financial justification
 5 Recycling rates
 6 Consumer education
o 6.1 United States
o 6.2 United Kingdom
 7 Plastic identification code
 8 See also
 9 References
 10 External links

Challenges
When compared to other materials like glass and metal materials, plastic polymers require
greater processing to be recycled.[citation needed] Plastics have a low entropy of mixing, which is due
to the high molecular weight of their large polymer chains. A macromolecule interacts with its
environment along its entire length, so its enthalpy of mixing is large compared to that of an
organic molecule with a similar structure. Heating alone is not enough to dissolve such a large
molecule; because of this, plastics must often be of nearly identical composition in order to mix
efficiently.
When different types of plastics are melted together they tend to phase-separate, like oil and
water, and set in these layers. The phase boundaries cause structural weakness in the resulting
material, meaning that polymer blends are only useful in limited applications.

Another barrier to recycling is the widespread use of dyes, fillers, and other additives in plastics.
The polymer is generally too viscous to economically remove fillers, and would be damaged by
many of the processes that could cheaply remove the added dyes. Additives are less widely used
in beverage containers and plastic bags, allowing them to be recycled more frequently.

The use of biodegradable plastics is increasing. If some of these get mixed in the other plastics
for recycling, the reclaimed plastic is not recyclable because the variance in properties and melt
temperatures.[1]

Processes
Before recycling, plastics are sorted according to their resin identification code, a method of
categorization of polymer types, which was developed by the Society of the Plastics Industry in
1988. Polyethylene terephthalate, commonly referred to as PET, for instance, has a resin code of
1. They are also often separated by colour. The plastic recyclables are then shredded. These
shredded fragments then undergo processes to eliminate impurities like paper labels. This
material is melted and often extruded into the form of pellets which are then used to manufacture
other products.

Monomer recycling

Many recycling challenges can be resolved by using a more elaborate monomer recycling
process, in which a condensation polymer essentially undergoes the inverse of the
polymerization reaction used to manufacture it. This yields the same mix of chemicals that
formed the original polymer, which can be purified and used to synthesize new polymer chains
of the same type. Du Pont opened a pilot plant of this type in Cape Fear, North Carolina, USA, to
recycle PET by a process of methanolysis, but it closed the plant due to economic pressures.[2]

Thermal depolymerization

Another process involves the conversion of assorted polymers into petroleum by a much less
precise thermal depolymerization process. Such a process would be able to accept almost any
polymer or mix of polymers, including thermoset materials such as vulcanized rubber tires and
the biopolymers in feathers and other agricultural waste. Like natural petroleum, the chemicals
produced can be made into fuels as well as polymers. A pilot plant of this type exists in
Carthage, Missouri, USA, using turkey waste as input material. Gasification is a similar process,
but is not technically recycling since polymers are not likely to become the result.

Heat compression
Yet another process that is gaining ground with startup companies (especially in Australia,
United States and Japan) is heat compression.[citation needed] The heat compression process takes all
unsorted, cleaned plastic in all forms, from soft plastic bags to hard industrial waste, and mixes
the load in tumblers (large rotating drums resembling giant clothes dryers). The most obvious
benefit to this method is the fact that all plastic is recyclable, not just matching forms. However,
criticism rises from the energy costs of rotating the drums, and heating the post-melt pipes.

Other processes

A process has also been developed in which many kinds of plastic can be used as a carbon source
in the recycling of scrap steel.[3]

Applications
PET

Post-consumer polyethylenes are sorted into different color fractions, cleaned, and prepared for
processing[4]. This sorted post-consumer PET waste is crushed, chopped into flakes, pressed into
bales, and offered for sale[5].

One use for this recycled PET that has recently started to become popular is to create fabrics to
be used in the clothing industry[6]. The fabrics are created by spinning the PET flakes into thread
and yarn[5]. This is done just as easily as creating polyester from brand new PET[7]. The recycled
PET thread or yarn can be used either alone or together with other fibers to create a very wide
variety of fabrics. Traditionally these fabrics were used to create strong, durable, rough,
products, such as jackets, coat, shoes, bags, hats, and accessories. However, these fabrics are
usually too rough on the skin and could cause irritation. Therefore, they usually are not used on
any clothing that may irritate the skin, or where comfort is required[8]. But in today's new eco-
friendly world there has been more of a demand for “green” products. As a result, many clothing
companies have started looking for ways to take advantage of this new market and new
innovations in the use of recycled PET fabric are beginning to develop. These innovations
included different ways to process the fabric[5], to use the fabric, or blend the fabric with other
materials[9]. Some of the fabrics that are leading the industry in these innovations include
Billabong's Eco-Supreme Suede[9], Livity's Rip-Tide III[10], Wellman Inc's Eco-fi(formerly known
as EcoSpun)[4], and Reware's Rewoven[7]. Some additional companies that take pride in using
recycled PET in their products are Crazy Shirts[11] and Playback[6].

PVC

PVC- or Vinyl Recycling has historically been difficult to perfect on the industrial scale.[citation
needed]
But within the last decade several viable methods for recycling or upcycling PVC plastic
have been developed.[citation needed]

HDPE
The most-often recycled plastic[citation needed], HDPE or number 2, is downcycled into plastic
lumber, tables, roadside curbs, benches, truck cargo liners, trash receptacles, stationery (e.g.
rulers) and other durable plastic products and is usually in demand.

Other plastics

The white plastic foam peanuts used as packing material are often accepted by shipping stores
for reuse.[12]

Successful trials in Israel have shown that plastic films recovered from mixed municipal waste
streams can be recycled into useful household products such as buckets.[13]

Similarly, agricultural plastics such as mulch film, drip tape and silage bags are being diverted
from the waste stream and successfully recycled [14] into much larger products for industrial
applications such as plastic composite railroad ties.[15] Historically, these agricultural plastics
have primarily been either landfilled or burned on-site in the fields of individual farms.[16]

CNN reports that Dr. S. Madhu of the Kerala Highway Research Institute, India has formulated a
road surface that includes recycled plastic.[citation needed] Aggregate, bitumen (asphalt) with plastic
that has been shredded and melted at a temperature below 220 degrees C (428 °F) to avoid
pollution. This road surface is claimed to be very durable and monsoon rain resistant. The plastic
is sorted by hand, which is economical in India. The test road used 60 kg of plastic for an approx.
500m long, 8m wide, two-lane road.

Financial justification
In 2008, the price of PET dropped from $370/ton in the US to $20 in November.[17]. PET prices
had returned to their long term averages by May of 2009.[18]

Recycling rates
Plastic recycling rates lag far behind those of other items, such as newspaper (about 80%) and
corrugated fiberboard (about 70%).[19] All plastic bottles were recycled at a rate of 24% in 2005.
[20][clarification needed]

The quantity of post-consumer plastics recycled has increased every year since at least 1990. In
2006 the amount of plastic bottles recycled reached a record high of 2.2 trillion pounds. The
amount of PET bottles recycled in 2006 increased more than 102 million pounds compared to
2005. HDPE bottle recycling increased in 2005 to 928 million pounds.

Consumer education
United States
Low national plastic recycling rates have been due to the complexity of sorting and processing,
unfavorable economics, and consumer confusion about which plastics can actually be recycled.
[21]
Part of the confusion has been due to the recycling symbol that is usually on all plastic
items[citation needed]. This symbol is called a resin identification code. It is stamped or printed on the
bottom of containers and surrounded by a triangle of arrows. (See the table in Plastic.) The intent
of these arrows was to make it easier to identify plastics for recycling. The recycling symbol
doesn’t necessarily mean that the item will be accepted by residential recycling programs.[22]

United Kingdom

In the UK, the amount of post-consumer plastic being recycled is relatively low[23], due in part to
a lack of recycling facilities.

The Plastics 2020 Challenge was founded in 2009 by the plastics industry with the aim of
engaging the British public in a nationwide debate about the use, reuse and disposal of plastics,
hosts a series of online debates on its website framed around the waste hierarchy.

Plastic identification code

Seven groups of plastic polymers,[24] each with specific properties, are used worldwide for
packaging applications (see table below). Each group of plastic polymer can be identified by its
Plastic Identification code (PIC) - usually a number or a letter abbreviation. For instance, Low-
Density Polyethylene can be identified by the number 4 and/or the letters "LDPE". The PIC
appears inside a three-chasing arrow recycling symbol. The symbol is used to indicate whether
the plastic can be recycled into new products.

The PIC was introduced by the Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. which provides a uniform
system for the identification of different polymer types and helps recycling companies to
separate different plastics for reprocessing. Manufacturers of plastic products are required to use
PIC labels in some countries/regions [25] and can voluntarily mark their products with the PIC
where there are no requirements. Consumers can identify the plastic types based on the codes
usually found at the base or at the side of the plastic products, including food/chemical
packaging and containers. The PIC is usually not present on packaging films, as it is not practical
to collect and recycle most of this type of waste.

Plastic
Type of plastic
Identification Properties Common Packaging Applications
polymer
Code

Polyethylene Clarity, strength,

Soft drink, water and salad dressing
terephthalate toughness, barrier to
bottles; peanut butter and jam jars
(PET, PETE) gas and moisture.
 Stiffness, strength, Water pipes, Hula-Hoop (children's
High-density
toughness, resistance game) rings, Milk, juice and water
polyethylene
to moisture, bottles; the occasional shampoo /
(HDPE)
permeability to gas. toiletry bottle

Blister packaging for non-food items;

cling films for non-food use. Not used
Versatility, ease of for food packaging as the plasticisers
Polyvinyl
blending, strength, needed to make natively rigid PVC
chloride (PVC)
toughness. flexible are usually toxic. Non-
packaging uses are electrical cable
insulation; rigid piping; vinyl records.
Ease of processing,
Low-density strength, toughness, Frozen food bags; squeezable bottles,
polyethylene flexibility, ease of e.g. honey, mustard; cling films; flexible
(LDPE) sealing, barrier to container lids.
moisture.
Strength, toughness, Reusable microwaveable ware;
resistance to heat, kitchenware; yogurt containers;
Polypropylene
chemicals, grease margarine tubs; microwaveable
(PP)
and oil, versatile, disposable take-away containers;
barrier to moisture. disposable cups; plates.

Egg cartons; packing peanuts;

Versatility, clarity, disposable cups, plates, trays and
Polystyrene (PS)
easily formed cutlery; disposable take-away
containers;

Dependent on Beverage bottles; baby milk bottles.

Other (often
polymers or Non-packaging uses for polycarbonate:
polycarbonate or
combination of compact discs; "unbreakable" glazing;
ABS)
polymers electronic apparatus housings.

References
1. ^ [1][dead link]
2. ^ "DUPONT ENDS RECYCLING EXPERIMENT. | Chemicals > Chemicals Overview from".
AllBusiness.com. http://www.allbusiness.com/chemicals/chemicals-overview/9060603-1.html. Retrieved
2010-08-21.
3. ^ Steel CNN. Retrieved 9.11.06.
 4. ^ a b "EcoSpun (Eco-fi) Clothing - Eartheasy.com Solutions for Sustainable Living".
Eartheasy.com. http://www.eartheasy.com/wear_ecospun.htm. Retrieved 2010-08-21.
5. ^ a b c Idea TV GmbH. "Recycled plastic - the fashion fabric of the future". Innovations-
report.com. http://www.innovations-report.com/html/reports/environment_sciences/report-7183.html.
Retrieved 2010-08-21.
6. ^ a b 10:24 AM PT, November 13, 2009 (2009-11-13). "Trashy Chic: Recycled clothing from
Playback - Brand X". Thisisbrandx.com. http://www.thisisbrandx.com/2009/11/trashy-chic-recycled-
clothing-from-playback.html. Retrieved 2010-08-21.
7. ^ a b "Reware's REWOVEN Technology Info: The Eco Narrative - Recycled PET".
Rewarestore.com. http://www.rewarestore.com/tech_recycled_pet.html. Retrieved 2010-08-21.
8. ^ "Billabong ECO Supreme Suede Boardshorts: Sustainable is Good Eco Products".
Sustainableisgood.com. 2008-04-09. http://www.sustainableisgood.com/products/2008/04/billabong.html.
Retrieved 2010-08-21.
9. ^ a b [2][dead link]
10. ^ "Rip-Tide "Eco Tech" Fabric Made From Hemp, Recycled PET". TreeHugger.
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/03/rip-tide-livity.php. Retrieved 2010-08-21.
11. ^ September 3, 2009 (2009-09-03). "Eco Friendly Recycled Board Shorts". Gogreenstreet.com.
http://www.gogreenstreet.com/eco-friendly-recycled-plastic-bottle-board-shorts/. Retrieved 2010-08-21.
12. ^ "Let Peanuts Live! Mail Boxes Etc. Recycles as Part ofNational Effort; Recycle Loose-fill,
Foam `Peanuts' AtParticipating Mail Boxes Etc. Locations. | North America > United States from".
AllBusiness.com. http://www.allbusiness.com/consumer-products/office-supplies-equipment/6916130-
1.html. Retrieved 2010-08-21.
13. ^ Plastic trial procedure Oaktech Environmental website. Retrieved 9.11.06.
14. ^ Agricultural plastics recycling process Agricultural plastics recycling website. Retrieved
07.11.08.
15. ^ Plastic Composite Railroad Tie Facts Plastic Composite Railroad Ties website. Retrieved
01.21.08.
16. ^ Recycling Used Agricultural Plastics James W. Garthe, Paula D. Kowal, PennState University,
Agricultural and Biological Engineering
17. ^ Page, Candace, Waste district raises recycling fees, Burlington Free Press, November 12, 2008
18. ^ Financial Times, May 15, 2009 (article by Max Hogg)
19. ^ The Self-Sufficiency Handbook: A Complete Guide to Greener Living by Alan Bridgewater pg.
62--Skyhorse Publishing Inc., 2007 ISBN 1602391637, 9781602391635
20. ^ http://www.headwatersrecycle.com/why.html
21. ^ Watson, Tom (June 2, 2007). "Where can we put all those plastics?". Seattle Times.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/homegarden/2003730398_ecoconsumer02.html. Retrieved 2007-06-
02.
22. ^ Where can we put all those plastics? By Tom Watson June 2, 2007 Seattle Times
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/homegarden/2003730398_ecoconsumer02.html
23. ^ Plastics wasteonline.org.uk. Retrieved 10.18.07.
24. ^ "Safe Use Of Plastic Food Packaging And Containers".
http://www.ava.gov.sg/FoodSector/FoodSafetyEducation/Food+Facts/SafeUsePlasticContainers/index.htm.
25. ^ "19". Holt Chemistry (Florida edition). Holt, Rinehart, and Winston. 2006. p. 702. ISBN 0-03-
039114-8. "More than hlf the states in the United States have enacted laws that require plastic products to
be labeled with numerical codes that identify the type of plastic used in them."

Plastic bottle
A PET bottle

A plastic bottle is a bottle constructed of plastic, with a neck that is narrower than its body and
an opening at the top. The mouth of the bottle is normally sealed with a plastic bottle cap.[1]
Plastic bottles are typically used to store liquids such as water, soft drinks, motor oil, cooking oil,
medicine, shampoo, milk, and ink. The size ranges from very small sample bottles to large
carboys.

This article provides a description of common plastic container resin materials, their qualities,
usages, and limitations.

Contents
[hide]

 1 History
 2 Construction
 3 Health and environmental issues
 4 Labeling
 5 See also
 6 References
 7 External links

History
Leonardo Da Vinci invented the first form of natural plastic during the Renaissance period.[2] The
plastic Da Vinci created was made from both animal and vegetable glues combined with organic
fibers.[2] When this combination dried Da Vinci was left with a product that would be described
today as a plastic-like substance.[2] In 1862, Alexander Parkes was responsible for introducing
the first manmade plastic at the Great International Exhibition in London.[2] This manmade
plastic was nicknamed Parkesine. Due to an extremely expensive production cost of raw
materials as well as the combustibility of the finished product, the product became obsolete.[2]
Plastic bottles were first used commercially in 1947,[3] but remained relatively expensive until the
early 1960s when high-density polyethylene was introduced.[4] They quickly became popular
with both manufacturers and customers due to their lightweight nature and relatively low
production costs compared with glass bottles.[5] The food industry has almost completely
replaced glass in many cases with plastic bottles, but wine and beer are still commonly sold in
glass bottles.

Construction

A plastic bottle cap

Plastic bottles before processing

Plastic bottles are formed using a variety of techniques. The choice of material varies depending
upon application.

High Density Polyethylene: HDPE is the most widely used resin for plastic bottles. This
material is economical, impact resistant, and provides a good moisture barrier. HDPE is
compatible with a wide range of products including acids and caustics but is not compatible with
solvents. It is supplied in FDA approved food grade. HDPE is naturally translucent and flexible.
The addition of color will make HDPE opaque although not glossy. HDPE lends itself readily to
silk screen decoration. While HDPE provides good protection at below freezing temperatures, it
cannot be used with products filled at over 160 °F (71 °C) or products requiring a hermetic
(vacuum) seal.
Low Density Polyethylene: LDPE is similar to HDPE in composition. It is less rigid and
generally less chemically resistant than HDPE, but is more translucent. LDPE is used primarily
for squeeze applications. LDPE is significantly more expensive than HDPE.

Polyethylene Terephthalate: Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET, PETE or polyester) is

commonly used for carbonated beverage and water bottles. PET provides very good alcohol and
essential oil barrier properties, generally good chemical resistance (although acetones and
ketones will attack PET) and a high degree of impact resistance and tensile strength. The
orienting process serves to improve gas and moisture barrier properties and impact strength. This
material does not provide resistance to high temperature applications—max. temp. 160 °F
(71 °C).

Polyvinyl Chloride: PVC is naturally clear, has extremely good resistance to oils, and has very
low oxygen transmission. It provides an excellent barrier to most gases and its drop impact
resistance is also very good. This material is chemically resistant, but it is vulnerable to solvents.
PVC is an excellent choice for salad oil, mineral oil, and vinegar. It is also commonly used for
shampoos and cosmetic products. PVC exhibits poor resistance to high temperatures and will
distort at 160 °F (71 °C), making it incompatible with hot filled products

Polypropylene: Polypropylene(PP) is used primarily for jars and closures and provides a rigid
package with excellent moisture barrier. One major advantage of polypropylene is its stability at
high temperatures, up to 200 °F. Polypropylene is autoclavable and offers the potential for steam
sterilization. The compatibility of PP with high filling temperatures is responsible for its use with
hot fill products such as pancake syrup. PP has excellent chemical resistance, but provides poor
impact resistance in cold temperatures

Polystyrene (PS): Styrene offers excellent clarity and stiffness at an economical cost. It is
commonly used with dry products including vitamins, petroleum jellies, and spices. Styrene does
not provide good barrier properties, and exhibits poor impact resistance.

Fluorine Treated HDPE: Bottles are exposed to fluorine gas in a secondary operation, are
similar in appearance to HDPE and have exceptional barrier properties to hydrocarbons and
aromatic solvents. Fluorine treated bottles are excellent for use with insecticides, pesticides,
herbicides, photographic chemicals, agricultural chemicals, household and industrial cleaners,
electronic chemicals, medical cleaners and solvents, citrus products, d-limone, flavors,
fragrances, essential oils, surfactants, polishes, additives, graffiti cleaning products, pre-
emergents, stone and tile care products, waxes, paint thinner, gasoline, biodiesel, xylene,
acetone, kerosene and more.

For non-bottle applications, fluorination of plastic can provide compliance with state and federal
regulations. An example would be fluorination plastic fuel tanks used for lawn and garden
equipment, automobiles, etc.

Post-Consumer Resin (PCR): PCR is a blend of reclaimed natural HDPE (primarily from milk
and water containers) and virgin resin. The recycled material is cleaned, ground and
recompounded into uniform pellets along with prime virgin material especially designed to build
up environmental stress crack resistance. PCR has no odor but exhibits a slight yellow tint in its
natural state. This tint can be hidden by the addition of color. PCR is easily processed and
inexpensive. However, it cannot come into direct contact with food or pharmaceutical products.
PCR can be produced in a variety of recycled content percentages up to 100%.

K-Resin SBC: K-resin is ideally suited to a wide variety of packaging applications by virtue of
its sparkling clarity, high gloss, and impact resistance. K-Resin, a styrene derivative, is easily
processed on polyethylene equipment. It is suitable for packaging many products but is
specifically incompatible with fats and unsaturated oils or solvents. This material is frequently
used for display and point-of-purchase packaging.

Health and environmental issues

There is ongoing concern as to the use of plastics in consumer food packaging solutions. The
environmental impact of the disposal of these products, as well as concerns regarding consumer
safety, are hotly debated. See the Toxicity and Environmental issues-sections of the Plastics
article.

Labeling

Resin identification code for PET

Plastic bottles are marked at their base with the Resin identification code to indicate the material
used:

 1 - PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)

 2 - HDPE (High Density Polyethylene)
 3 - PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
 4 - LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene)
 5 - PP (Polypropylene)
 6 - PS (Polystyrene)
 7 - Other