Polymers

Thermosets

Thermosets

can't be reheated as they undergo chemical changes - have cross links formed

Example: epoxy resin, Urea formaldehyde (UF)

Thermoplastic

can be repeatedly reheated and reshaped.

e.g. LDPE, HDPE, nylon

Elastomers

highly elastic and can return to their original shapes once it's stretched

Example: natural rubber, silicone, neoprene

Biodegradable polymers

They can be decomposed due to the presence or action of living organisms. All natural.

HIPS - plastic

Properties: hard, rigid, translucent, 70•c - working temp.

Use: yoghurt pots, single use cups, toilet seats

LDPE (low density polypropylene) - plastic

Property: tough, chemical resistant, weather resistant

Use: Toys, bags, food wrap film

HDPE ( high density polypropylene) - plastic

Property: weather resistant, tough, chemical resistant

Use: bowls, kitchenware, reusable bags

PP (polypropylene) - plastic

Property: translucent, chemical resistant, fatigues resistant( can hinge)

Use: ropes, folders/binders, food containers

ABS ( acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) - plastic

Property: extremely tough, hard, can come opaque

Use: rigid luggages, handles, calc casing

PMMA (polymethyl-methacrylate) acrylic - plastic

Property: tough, chemical resistant, translucent

Use: car head lights, CNC cut items, baths

Nylon - plastic

Property: tough, corrosion resistant, temp resistant

Use: curtain rails, boil in bag packaging, cable ties

uPVC (rigid polyvinyl chloride) - plastic

Property: rigid, weather resistant, chemical resistant, tough, fire retardant

Use: window frame, external doors, bank cards, pipes

PVC (flexible polyvinyl chloride) - plastic

Property: tough, flexible, weather resistant, chemical resistant

Use: hose pipes, inflatable tubes, medical grade tubes

Urea Formaldehyde (UF) - thermoset

Property: hard, heat resistant, electrical insulator, brittle

Use: electrical fitting , adhesives

Melamine formaldehyde (MF) - thermoset

Property: hard, opaque, heat resistant, chem resistant, food safe

Use: decorative laminates, picnic ware, buttons

Polyester resin - thermoset

Property: rigid, heat resistant, chem resistant, brittle

Use: castings, lay-up process for glass reinforced plastic (GRP), boat hulls

Epoxy resin - thermoset

Property: rigid, clear, hard, tough, chem resistant

Use: surface coating, cardiac pacemaker, encapsulates, aerospace application

Natural rubber

Property: high tensile strength, hardness, tough, electrical insulator, cold resistant

Use: automotive, tubes, hoses, toys

Butadiene rubber (BR)

Property: tough, wasteful resistant, thermal resistant, electrical insulator

Use: vehicles tyres, conveyer belts, hoses

Neoprene ( polychloroprene rubber)

Property: thermal resistant, tough, oil and chem resistant, weather resistant

Use: wetsuits, shock absorber seals, transmission belts

Silicone

Property: good flexibility, abrasion resistant, thermal resistant, weather resistant, self lubricant

Use: flexible ice cube trays, kitchenware, medical lubricants, sealants

Oxy-degradable polymer

They will break down into fine powder after being exposed to oxygen. Then will further break down to micro-organisms - usually with LDPE carrier bags

Photodegradable polymer

Bonds are weakened and broken down when exposed to UV light.

Used in agriculture as alternative to herbicides

Hydro-degradable polymer

They break down after exposure with water and micro-organisms. Degrade quicker than oxy.

Corn starch polymer

bio-polymer, made with high starch vegetables e.g. corn, potatoes

Uses: packaging products, food containers, disposable cutlery

PotatoPak

Bio-polymer, made from potato starch

Use: single use items e.g. bowls, cutlery / packing peanuts

Polylactide acid (PLA)

Bio-polymer- synthetic, made from corn kernels/sugarcane, fermented = lactic acid

Use: packaging, single use bottles, disposable nappies, 3D printing

Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA)

Bio-polymer, made from culture grown bacteria, fully compostable

Use: medical use, films, screws, bone plates

Lactide

Bio-polymer-synthetic, fully compostable, water soluble, PLA + cellulose based

use: biomedical applications, detergent pods

Glycolide (lactel and ecofilm)

Bio-polymer -synthetic, fully compostable, PLA + cellulose based

Use: food film, packaging, bin bags, flower wraps