2.5 ~ Performance characteristics of polymers

Polymer stock forms:

Granules, Sheet, Film, Rods and other extruded forms, tubes and bars, Foam, Powder

Granules

Small particles of plastic

Sheet

Large flat sections of polymer in varying thickness

Film

Very thin sheet polymer

Rods and other extruded forms, tubes, bars:

Rods and extruded forms can be a specifically designed shape, such as a curtain rail. A bar is a solid form, square or round. A tube is hollow in cross section and can be square, rectangular or round

Foam

Solid form made by including air or other gases, such as Styrofoam from expanded polystyrene

Powder

Very fine granules of polymer

Majority of polymers are made ...?

Via the fractional distillation of crude oil, which is a non-renewable resource

Synthetic polymer

Made from crude oil; takes hundreds of years to degrade

Self-finishing

Can be pigmented during the manufacturing process to give colour and therefore requires no additional secondary finishing process

Thermoplastic

A material that can be reheated and reshaped repeatedly, allowing it to be recycled after its initial use

Thermoset polymer

A material that, when heated undergoes a chemical change whereby the molecules form rigid cross-links

Elastomer

A material that can be deformed under pressure and that returns to its original shape when pressure is released

Examples of thermoplastics

Low density polyethene (LDPE)High density polyethene (HDPE) Polypropylene (PP)High impact polystyrene (HIPS)Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) Nylon Rigid polyvinyl chloride (uPVC) Flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

Low density polyethene (LDPE) properties

Very tough Good chemical resistance Weatherproof Available in translucent Low level of rigidity Safe working temp of 65

Low density polyethene (LDPE) uses

Squeezy detergent bottles Toys Carrier bags,Bin liners, General packaging Food wrap film, Food trays

High density polyethene (HDPE) properties

Available in translucent form Weatherproof Tough Good chemical resistance Safe working temp 65

High density polyethene (HDPE) uses

Chemical drums Jerry cans Toys Household and kitchenware Long life carrier bags Buckets Bowls

Polypropylene (PP) properties

Available in translucent Good chemical resistance Tough Good fatigue resistance (hinge property)Safe working temp 100

Polypropylene (PP) uses

Rope Folders Folio cases Food containers Medical equipment

High impact polystyrene (HIPS) properties

Hard Rigid Available in translucent tough Safe working temp 70

High impact polystyrene (HIPS) uses

Yoghurt pots Refrigerator linings Single use drink cups Toilet seats Instrument control knobs

Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)

Hard, tough; available in opaque; safe working temp 80

Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) uses

Telephone handsets Rigid luggage Domestic appliances (food mixers)Handles Computer housings Remote control casings Calculator casings

Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) properties

Tough Hard Good chemical resistance Available in translucent Safe working temperature 95

Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) uses

Car light casings Computer numerical controlled (CNC) laser cut items Lightning units Lighting covers Baths

Nylon properties

Tough Corrosion resistant Good temperature resistance Low coefficient of friction Safe working temp 150

Nylon uses

Bearings Gears Curtain rails Textiles Boil-in-the-bag food packaging Car engine manifolds Cable ties

Rigid polyvinyl chloride (uPVC) properties

Rigid Opaque Tough Hard Good temperature resistance Low coefficient of friction Safe working temperature 150

Rigid polyvinyl chloride (uPVC) uses

Window frames External doors Guttering and downpipes for buildings Water service pipes Bank cards

Flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC) properties

Available in translucent Tough Flexible Good weathering resistance Good chemical resistance Safe working temp 95

Flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC) uses

House pipes Cable insulation Medical grade tubing Inflatable products Imitation leather Seat coverings

Thermoset polymers examples

Urea formaldehyde (UF)Melamine formaldehyde (MF) Polyester resin Epoxy resin

Urea formaldehyde (UF) properties

Hard, heat resistant, good electrical insulator, brittle, safe working temperature 80

Urea formaldehyde (UF) uses

Electrical fittings Adhesives

Melamine formaldehyde (MF) properties

Hard Opaque Tough Heat resistant Food safe Chemical resistant safe working temp 130

Melamine formaldehyde (MF) uses

Decorative laminates, picnic ware, buttons

Polyester resin properties

Rigid, heat resistant, chemical resistant, brittle, safe working temp 95

Polyester resin uses

Castings used in lay-up process for glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) for boat hulls, car parts, chair seats

Epoxy resin properties

Rigid, clear, hard, tough, chemical resistant; safe working temp 80 - 200

Epoxy resin uses

Adhesives, surface coatings, encapsulation of electrical components, cardiac pacemakers, aerospace applications

Examples of elastomers

Natural rubber, Butadiene rubber (BR), Neoprene, Silicone

Natural rubber properties

High tensile strength Low elongation Good hardness Tough Electrical insulator Good cold resistance

Natural rubber uses

Automotive industry such as tyres, tubes, hoses, gaskets, belts, balloons, toys, footwear

Butadiene rubber (BR) properties

Tough Excellent wear resistance against friction Good thermal resistance against friction Electrical insulator

Butadiene rubber (BR) uses

Vehicle tyres, shoe soles, toys, conveyor belts, water and pneumatic hoses

Neoprene properties

Good thermal resistance Toughness Good oil and chemical resistance Excellent weather resistance Good abrasion resistance Electrical insulator

Neoprene uses

Wetsuits, laptops, cars, Industrial wire insulation, automotive applications such as shock absorber seals, hose covers, transmission belts, gaskets, and door seals

Silicone properties

Good flexibility at low temperatures; poor abrasion resistance; good thermal resistance and resistance to temperature extremes; good weather resistance; good lubricating qualities; electrical insulator

Silicone uses

: Flexible ice cube trays, bakeware, cooking utensils Seals for refrigerators, machinery lubricant Sealants Mould making, medical uses such as prosthetics, tubing for drug delivery systems