4.2d - Plastics

What is urea-formaldehyde?

A thermosetting plastic with high hardness and electrical resistivity; used for MDF and insulation.

What is polyethylene (PE)?

A thermoplastic, semi-rigid, flexible, and recyclable; used for water bottles and food storage.

What is polypropylene (PP)?

A lightweight thermoplastic, tough, heat-resistant, and recyclable; used for buckets and crates.

What is PVC?

A thermoplastic that can be flexible or rigid; used for pipes and bottles.

What is PET?

A strong, rigid thermoplastic, thermal resistant; used for soda bottles and food containers.

What is polylactic acid (PLA)?

A biodegradable bioplastic made from corn or potato starch.

What are thermoplastics?

Plastics with linear chain molecules and weak secondary bonds; easily reshaped when heated.

What are thermosets?

Plastics with strong primary bonds, rigid 3D structure; cannot be reshaped once set.

What is polyurethane?

A thermosetting plastic with varying hardness; used for wheels and sponges.

What is melamine resin?

A thermosetting plastic, highly resistant to heat and chemicals; used for kitchenware and laminates.

What is the main ingredient in plastics?

Petrochemicals, mainly derived from oil.

What is ABS?

A thermoplastic with high impact resistance; used for phone handsets and luggage.

What is the effect of heating thermoplastics?

Heat breaks weak bonds, allowing reshaping; cooled plastics retain new shape.

What is the role of bio-plastics?

Made from plant materials, bio-plastics like PLA are biodegradable and compostable.

What is the recycling process for thermoplastics?

Thermoplastics are easy to recycle, re-shape when heated, and can be reused multiple times.

What is the use of PLA in food products?

PLA is used for biodegradable eating utensils, reducing plastic waste.

What is the key challenge with recycling thermosets?

Thermosets are harder to recycle, as they cannot be reshaped and often end up in landfills.

What is Bakelite?

The first synthetic plastic, invented after WWI, used for electrical insulation and household items.

What was nylon used for in WWII?

Nylon replaced silk for making parachutes.

What is the environmental impact of plastics?

Plastics can cause pollution but recycling and bioplastics can help reduce waste.

What is a characteristic of HIPS (High Impact Polystyrene)?

Easy to fabricate, high impact strength, used for toys and kitchen items.