Polymers

Thermoplastic

Thermoplastics are a group of **polymers that when heated become plastic** (soft), whose defining property is that they can be heated and reshaped repeatedly.

Thermosets

Thermosets are a group of **polymers that when heated become rigid** (set). 

  This is because they undergo a chemical reaction that makes them permanently rigid – they cannot be reshaped, even when heated.

Elastomers

Elastomers, as the name implies, have the property of being able to be deformed (stretched or squashed) and then return to their original shape when the forces are removed. Just like an elastic band! They are either thermoplastics or thermosets. They're NOT separate.

Stock forms of Polymer

* film
* sheet
* granules
* foam
* rod and other extruded form

List of thermoplastics

* ABS = Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene
* PMMA = PolyMethyl Methacrylate
* PP = Polypropylene
* HIPS = High Impact Polystyrene
* EPS = Expanded Polystyrene
* LDPE = Low Density Polyethylene
* HDPE = High Density Polyethylene
* PET = Polyethylene Tetraphthalate
* PC = Polycarbonate
* Rigid/flexible PVC = Polyvinyl Chloride
* Nylon

List of thermosets

* MF = Melamine Formaldehyde
* UF = Urea Formaldehyde
* Epoxy resin
* Polyester resin

List of elastomers

* LSR = Liquid Silicone Rubber
* TPE/TPR = Thermoplastic elastomer / Thermoplastic Rubber
* Polybutadiene
* Neoprene
* Natural Rubber = Polyisoprene
* Vulcanised Natural Rubber

Thermoplastic material + products

ABS - mouse (and pretty much anything else)

PMMA - car headlight casing

PP - chairs

HIPS - buckets

EPS - packaging, disposable cups

LDPE - carrier bags

HDPE - crates

PET - plastic bottles

PC - goggles and protective sheilds

Rigid PVC - pipes

Flexible PVC - bouncy castles

Thermoset/elastomer + products

Nylon - ropes

MF - laminate flooring

UF - electric socket

Epoxy Resin - key chains, tabletops

Polyester Resin - chess peices

LSR - moulds

TPE/TPR - electric wire coatings, handles with rubber grips

Polybutadiene - tyres

Neoprene - wetsuits

Natural Rubber - Rubber gloves

Vulcanised Natural Rubber - car tyres

Biodegradable polymers

* Oxo-degradable polymers
* Photo-degradable polymers
* Hydro-degradable polymers
* Corn Starch Polymers
* Potatopak
* Cellulose Acetate
* Biopol (PHB)
* Polylactide Acid (PLA)
* PHA
* Lactide
* Glycolide