PreQ Graphics - 1.3a Types of thermoforming plastics

Click the circles. To the beat. Circles

Acrylic Appearance

Colorful with smooth finish. Ductile ,malleable and come in a variety of standard sizes.

Image_

Image of Acrylic sheets

Acrylic characteristics

Tough but brittle when thin. Easily scratched, formed and bonded.

Acrylic uses

Car lights, display stands, trophies, table tops, modern baths, hats and gloves.

Nylon Appearance

smooth, colourful and available in sheet, bar, fil or thread

Image_

Image of Nylon thread

Nylon characteristics

Low friction as self lubrication and hard wearing.

Nylon uses

Clothing, rope, cogs, gears, bushes, pipes, tents, parachutes.

PVC appearance

commonly white but also with colours. Has a high gloss finish

Image_

Image of a PVC tube (pipe)

PVC characteristics

Flexible, high plasticity, chemically resistant, tough and easily extruded.

PVC uses

Raincoats, pipes, electrical tape, air matresses and self-adhesive vinyl.

Polystyrene appearance

Rigid, cheap and colorful

Image_

Image of vacuum formed Polystyrene utensils

Polystyrene characteristics

Can be cut and vacuum formed easily, food safe but toxic when burned.

Polystyrene uses

Toys, light fittings, computer cases, single-use cutlery and food packaging.

HIPS appearance

Flat, clear or coloured sheets that are easily coloured

Image_

Image of vacuumed formed HIPS container

HIPS characteristics

Flexible, impact resistant, lightweight, can be food safe, sheet used for vacuum forming. Very toxic when burnt.

HIPS uses

Vacuum-formed products such as food containers or yoghurt pots.

Polypropylene appearance

sheets or shapes that are easily coloured.

Image_

Image of a injection moulded Polypropylene box

Polypropylene characteristics

Flexible, tough, lightweight, chemically resistant, easily cleaned and safe with food.

Polypropylene uses

Kitchen, medical and stationary products, rope.

HDPE appearance

Opaque, takes colour well and can be textured

Image_

Image of a blow moulded HDPE hard hat

HDPE characteristics

Lightweight, rip and chemical resistant, premium price paid when recycled.

HDPE uses

Milk bottles, pipes, storage crates, hard hats and wheelie bins.

LDPE appearance

Clear, thin to medium thick film with a smooth finish that takes colour well.

Image_

Image of blow moulded LDPE bottle

LDPE characteristics

Very flexible and tough with high strength to weight ratio. It is blow-mouldable and easily extruded into rolls of film.

LDPE uses

Plastic carrier bags, refuse sacks, piping, bottles and some plastic food wraps.

Polycarbonate appearance

Transparent, shiny, available in a wide range of colours

Image_

Image of a blow moulded polycarbonate bottle

Polycarbonate characteristics

Strong, stiff, hard, tough, can maintain rigidity up to 140°C and toughness down to -20°C or special grades even lower.

Polycarbonate uses

Kitchen appliances, mobile phone casings, helmet visors, reuseable drinks vessels, bullet-proof sheets

ABS appearance

Very smooth finish, can be textured, easily coloured.

Image_

Image of injection moulded ABS lego blocks

ABS characteristics

Tough, hard, good chemical resistance, good impact resistance, can be 3D printed, easily injection moulded and extruded.

ABS uses

Electronic casings, 3D printed products, hard-hats, Lego

PET appearance

Clear, easily coloured with a smooth finish.

Image_

An image of blow moulded PET bottle

PET characteristics

Dimensionally stable, easily blow-moulded, chemically resistant and fully recycleable.

PET uses

Bottles, food packaging, sheeting and some food wraps