DK.CHING-PLASTIC

plastic

any of numerous synthetic or natural organic materials that are mostly thermoplastic or thermosetting polymers of high molecular weight and that can be molded, extruded, or drawn into objects, films, or filaments

thermoplastic

a plastic capable of softening or fusing when heated without a change in any inherent properties, and of hardening again when cooled

resin

any of numerous solid or semisolid organic substances prepared by polymerization and used with fillers, stabilizers, and other components to form plastics

filler

a relatively inert substance added to modify the bulk, strength, heat resistance, electrical resistance, or working properties of a resin

stabilizer

a substance added to prevent or retard the degradation of a plastic when exposed to ultraviolet radiation or other environmental conditions

plasticizer

any of various substances added to a resin to increase its workability and flexibility

catalyst

a substance that causes or accelerates a chemical reaction without itself undergoing a permanent change in compositon

acrylic resin

any of a class of thermoplastic resins used for casting or molding plastic parts that are exceptionally transparent, tough, and resistant to weather and chemicals, or as the main ingredient in coatings, adhesives, and caulking compounds

Lucite

trademark for a brand of transparent acrylic resin

Plexiglass

trademark for a brand of light, transparent, weather-resistant acrylic resin

polycarbonate

a tough, transparent thermoplastic characterized by its high-impact strength and used for lighting fixtures, safety glazing, and hardware

Lexan

trademark for a brand of tough polycarbonate used for shatterproof windows

polyethylene

a tough, light, and flexible thermoplastic used esp. in the form of sheeting and film for packaging, dampproofing, and as a vapor retarder

polypropylene

a tough, thermoplastic that is resistant to heat and chemicals and used for pipe fittings, electricl insulation, and carpeting fibers

polystyrene

a hard, tough, stable thermoplastic that is easily colored and molded, expanded, or rolled into sheeting

acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene

a thermoplastic used for making plastic pipes and hardware products that are tough, rigis, and resistant to heat and chemicals

vinyl

any of various tough, flexible plastics made from polyvinyl resin

polyvinyl resin

any of a class of thermoplastic resins formed by polymerizing or copolymerizing a vinyl compound

polyvinyl chloride

a white, water-insoluble thermoplastic widely used in the manufacture of floor coverings, insulation, and piping

polyvinyl butyral

a thermoplastic resin used chiefly as the interlayer of safety glass

nylon

any of a class of thermoplastics characterized by extreme toughness, strength, and elasticity and capable of being extruded into filaments, fibers, and sheets

calendering

a method of producing plastic film or sheeting by passing the material between a series of revolving, heated rollers

sheeting

a thin form of plastic, having a thickness very small in proportion to its length and width

film

sheeting having a nominal thickness not greater than 10 mils

casting

a method of shaping a plastic object by pouring the material into a mold and allowing it to harden without the use of pressure

blow molding

a method of forming hollow ware by injecting air under pressure into a molten mass, as that of a thermoplastic or glass, and shaping the material within a mold

injection molding

a method of forming a thermoplastic, thermoset, metal, or ceramic material by rendering it fluid in a heating chamber and then forcing it under high pressure into a closed mold

compression molding

a method of forming thermosetting plastic by closing a mold on it, forming the material by heat and pressure

transfer molding

a method of forming thermosetting plastic by softening it in one chamber before it is forced into an adjacent mold where it is cured under heat and pressure

thermoforming

a method of shaping a thermoplastic sheet by heating and forcing it against the contours of a mold by heat and pressure

pressure forming

a method of thermoforming a plastic sheet by forcing it against the contours of a mold with compressed air

vacuum forming

a method of thermoforming a plastic sheet by evacuating the space between the sheet and the contours of a meld

rubber

a material made by chemically treating and toughening natural rubber, valued for its elasticity, nonconduction of electricity, and resistance to shock and moisture

natural rubber

a highly elastic solid substance, essentially a polymer of isoprene, obtained by coagulating the milky juice of rubber trees and plants; also called "india rubber"

foam rubber

a light, spongy, cellular rubber made by foaming latex before vulcanization

vulcanization

the treatment of rubber with sulfur and heat to impart greater elasticity, strength, and durability

synthetic rubber

an elastomer similar to natural rubber in properties and uses, produced by the polymerization of an unsaturated hydrocarbon, such as butylene or isoprene, or by the copolymerization of hydrocarbons with styrene or butadiene

elastomer

any of various polymers, such as butyl rubber or neoprene, having the elastic properties of natural rubber

butyl rubber

a synthetic rubber having exceptional resistance to sunlight and unusually low gaseous permeability, produced by polymerizing butylene and used in roofing membranes and waterproofing barriers

Butyl

trademark for a brand of butyl rubber

neoprene

a synthetic rubber characterized by superior resistance to oils and sunlight, and used in paints, roofing membranes, flashing, gaskets, and bearings

silicone rubber

a rubber made from silicone elastomers and noted for its retention of flexibility, resilience, and tensile strength over a wide temperature range

silicone

any of a group of polymers containing alternating silicon and oxygen atoms, characterized by thermal stability, chemical inertness, and extreme water repellence, and used in adhesives, lubricants, protective coatings, and synthetic rubber

laminate

a product, such as plywood and plastic laminate, made by uniting two or more layers of material by an adhesive or other means

plastic laminate

a hard surfacing material consisting of superposed layers of paper impregnated with melamine and phenolic resins, fused together under heat and pressure

high-pressure laminate

a plastic laminate molded and cured in the range of pressures from 1200 to 2000 psi (84 to 140 kg per sq.cm), used for surfacing countertops and cabinetry

low-pressure laminate

a plastic laminate molded and cured with a maximum pressure of 400 psi (28 kg per sqm), used in vertical and low-wear applications

Formica

trademark for a brand of plastic laminate

service temperature

the maximum temperature at which a plastic can be continuously employed without a noticeable reduction in any of its inherent properties

softening point

the temperature at which a plastic changes from a rigid to a soft state

thermosetting plastic

a plastic that becomes permanently rigid when heated and cannot be softened again

polyurethane

any of various thermoplastic or thermosetting resins used in flexible and rigid foams, elastomers, and resins for sealants, adhesives, and coatings

polyester

any of a group of thermosetting resins used in the manufacture of plastics and textile fibers

fiberglass-reinforced plastic

a polyester reinforced with glass fibers and used in translucent roofs and skylights, facings for sandwich panels, and molded plumbing fixtures

Dacron

trademark for a brand of strong, wrinkle-resistant polyester fiber

Mylar

trademark for a brand of strong, thin polyester film used in photography, recording tapes, and electrical insulation

epoxy resin

any of various thermosetting resins capable of forming tight cross-linked polymer structures characterized by toughness, strong adhesion, and high corrosion and chemical resistance, used esp. in surface coatings and adhesives

melamine resin

any of a class of thermosetting resins formed by the interaction of melamine and formaldehyde and used for molded products, adhesives, and surface coatings

phenolic resin

any of a class of hard, heat-resistant thermosetting resins formed by the condensation of phenol with formaldehyde and used for molded products, adhesives, and surface coatings

Bakelite

trademark for a brand of dark phenolic resin; used for telephone receivers, radio cabinets, electric insulators, and molded plastic hardware

urea-formaldehyde resin

any of various thermosetting synthetic resin made by condensing urea with formaldehyde and used in appliance housings, electrical devices, adhesives, and surface coatings

postforming

a method of shaping a fully or partially cured thermosetting laminate over a mold by heat and pressure