Plastics
Plastics
(Polymers)
The word plastics is from the Greek word Plastikos,
meaning able to be shaped and molded.
Aplasticmaterial is any of a wide range ofor semisyntheticorganicsolids that aremalleable .
Plastics are typically organic polymersof
highmolecular mass, but they often contain other
substances.
They are usually synthetic, most commonly derived
frompetrochemicals, but many are partially natural.
Polymerisation
Polymers
Thermoplastic plastics:
Formed by
heat
Made of long
polymer chains
with few cross
links
Mostly recyclable
Soften when
heated
Can be
reheated and
reshaped
Thermosetting plastics:
Initially set by heat
Strong and
durable
Cannot be
reshaped once
set
Consist of
polymer
chains with
strong
Common in
bonds
powder or resin
between
forms
each
chain
Thermosetting
plastics that do not soften
when heated, so cannot be remoulded.
Elastomer:
Anelastomeris
apolymerwithviscoelasticity ( having
bothviscosityandelasticity) and very weak
inter-molecularforces, generally having
lowYoung's modulusand high failure
straincompared with other materials.
The term, which is derived fromelastic
polymer, is often used interchangeably with
the termrubber, although the latter is
preferred when referring tovulcanisates.
Each of themonomerswhich link to form
the polymer is usually made
ofcarbon,hydrogen,oxygenand orsilicon.
Elastomers
areamorphouspolymers existing
above theirglass transition temperature, so
that considerable segmental motion is
possible.
Atambient temperatures, rubbers are thus
relatively soft (E~3MPa) and deformable.
Their primary uses are
forseals,adhesivesand molded flexible
Examples
of elastomers:
parts.
Unsaturated rubbersthat can be cured by
sulfurvulcanization:
Natural polyisoprene: cis-1,4polyisoprenenatural rubber(NR) and trans1,4-polyisoprenegutta-percha
Synthetic
polyisoprene (IR
forIsopreneRubber)
Polybutadiene(BR forButadiene Rubber)
Chloropenerubber
(CR),polychloroprene,Neoprene,
Saturated
rubbersthat cannot beBaypren
cured by
etc. vulcanization:
sulfur
EPM (ethylene propylene rubber, a
copolymer ofethyleneandpropylene)
andEPDM rubber(ethylene propylene diene
rubber, a terpolymer of ethylene, propylene
and adiene-component)
Epichlorohydrinrubber (ECO)
Polyacrylic rubber (ACM, ABR)
Silicone rubber(SI, Q, VMQ)
elastomers(TPE)
Theproteinsresilinandelastin
Polysulfiderubber
Elastolefin, elastic fiber used in fabric
production
Properties of Plastics
Flexible
Watertight
Shatterproof
Light
Easily
Heat
Durable,
non biodegradable
Electrical
Softe
n
individual monomer molecule
Thermosetting
THERMOSETTING
Popular Plastics
Polyethylene (LDPE (low density) and HDPE (high
density)
ABS
Properties:
Applications:
automotive components,
helmets, tool handles, appliances, boat hulls,
luggage, decorative panels
USES OF PLASTICS
High
Polyamides(PA)
Acrylonitrile
Polyethylene/Acrylonitrile
Butadiene Styrene
(PE/ABS) A slippery blend of PE and ABS used in
low-duty dry bearings.
Polycarbonate(PC)
Compact discs,eyeglassesriot
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 in cars).
Low-density polyethylene(LDPE)
Outdoor
furniture, siding, floor tiles, shower
curtains,
clamshell packaging.
Molding (process)
Moldingormouldin(seespelling
differences) is the
process ofmanufacturingby shaping liquid or pliable raw
material using a rigid frame called a mold or matrix. This
itself may have been made using a pattern or model of
the final object.
Amoldormouldis a hollowed-out block that is filled
with a liquid or pliable material likeplastic,glass,metl,
orceramic raw materials. The liquid hardens or sets
inside the mold, adopting its shape. A mold is the
counterpart to acast. The very common bi-valve molding
process uses two molds, one for each half of the object.
Piece-moldinguses a number of different molds, each
creating a section of a complicated object. This is
generally only used for larger and more valuable objects.
molding
Powder metallurgyplussintering
Compression molding
Extrusion molding
Injection molding
Laminating
Matrix molding
Rotational molding(or Rotomolding)
Spin casting
Transfer molding
Thermoforming ,Vacuum forming, a simplified
version of thermoforming
Rotational Molding
A
Advantages
Molds are relatively inexpensive.
Rotational molding machines are much less
expensive than other type of plastic processing
equipment.
Shuttle machine
Turret machine