PLASTIC MATERIALS

PLASTIC MATERIALS
• Large and varied group
• Consists of wholly or in part combination of carbon
with oxygen,hydrogen,nitrogen
and other organic or inorganic elements
•Solid in finished stage or moulded stage
•Liquid in manufacturing stage
• Moulded by application of heat / pressure
• Generally flexible
•But can be made rigid,stiff,strong,weather
resistant,heat resistant,electrical resistant and if
required can be made electrically conductive also

Basic material of all Plastics is HYDRO CARBON

 PLASTIC MATERIALS

Two types of plastics are Thermo plastic and

Thermoset plastics
• THERMOPLASTICS are either AMORPHOUS or
CRYSTALLINE in structure
• They form a Linear or Branched Molecular Chain
• Formulated by Addition Polymerization
• Available in Granules of Ø3x4mm
• Undergoes Physical change only, on Heating
• Recyclable
 AMORPHOUS PLASTICS

They are having molecules going in all

different directions and normally
transparent. They will undergo small
volumetric change when processing.
They are tougher and more flexible.
 SEMI-CRYSTALLINE PLASTICS

AMORPHOUS

CRYSTALLINE

Since commercially perfect crystalline polymers are not

produced they are identified technically as semi-
crystalline thermoplastics. A crystalline area is stiffer
and stronger. It is difficult to process crystalline
materials due to high melt temperature, melt viscosity,
shrinkage.
 PLASTIC MATERIALS

By adding different modifiers,additives,fillersand

Reinforcements many formulationsof Plastics are
derived (Approx.18,000)
Classification of Thermo Plastics:-
1.Commodity Plastics eg.PE,PS,PP,PVC
2.Engineering Plastics eg.ABS,PA,PC,PEEK
3.Speciality Plastics eg.Liquid Crystral Polymer
 THERMOSETS
• Formulated by Condensation Polymerization.
• Available in Fine Powder form.
• A compound partially polymerized.
• Undergoes irreversable chemical change by
application of HEAT & PRESSURE.
• Cross linked between molecules by the
reactive portion of Compound.
• Not reusable or recyclable.
• Difficult to dispose off.
 THERMOSET PLASTICS

• Cross-linked
• Giant macromolecule
• Structurally set
• Shape cannot be altered once moulded
• Forms a Hard, Dense and Polished Shiny moulded
component.
• Brittle, Highly Heat & Electrical Resistant
• Has a Shelf life.
• Eg. Phenol Formaldehyde
Melamine Formaldehyde
Urea Formaldehyde
Alkyds, Diallys, Polyurethane, Silicones,
Unsaturated Polyesters.
• Thermosets are normally moulded by
1. Compression moulding
2. Transfer moulding
3. Injection moulding
 PLASTIC MATERIALS AND
APPLICATION
Sl. Name of plastic Chief Properties Applications
No.
Acrylo Nitrile Translucent, Tough, Low T.V.Cabinets,
1 Butadiene Styerne Temp.,Low Creep resistance, Helmets,Grills,
(A.B.S.) Good Gloss & Aberration Shoe heels, Slide
resistantance,Low water -rules, Automobile
Density = 1.05 gm./cc
Absorption,Good Electrical parts, Furnitures
Shrinkage = 0.5 % resistant, Weatherability Fair,
Tm = 175 to 300 ºC Good Chemical resistance,
Electroplatable

2 Cellulose acetate Transparent, Tough, Cost

( C. A.) , moderate, Hard, Stiff, Surface- Sun glass frames,
Perspex Gloss good, 2.5% Water Pen barrels, Tool
absorption, Electrical resistance handles, Brush
Density = 1.22 gm./ cc backs, Ornaments,
Good, Resistance to Acids –
Shrinkage = 0.5 % toys & Dolls
nil,, Self extinguishing,
Tm = 170 to 250 ºC
 PLASTIC MATERIALS AND APPLICATION
Sl. Name of plastic Chief Properties Applications
No.
Nylon or Polyamide Translucent, Tough, High Gears, Cams,
3 Density = 1.15 gm./cc Temp., Creep resistance Good. Bearing surfaces,
Shrinkage =1.5 % Wear resistantance Excellent, CoilForms,
Good Chemical resistance, Combs, Housings,
Tm = 250 ºC
Self Lubricating, Low Coeff. of Battery Cases,
Friction, Self Extinguishing, Gaskets, Soldering
Water Absorption 4 to10%, Iron Handles
Electrically not Good

Poly Acetal ( P.O.M ) Translucent, Rigid, High Tensile Gears, Cams,

Poly Oxy Methylene and Flexural Strengths, Fatigue Springs, Levers,
4
Density = 1.4 gm./ cc Resistance high, Lower Clips, Clamps,
Elongation, Resistance to Housings, Bearing,
Shrinkage = 2.5 %
Temp.&Chemical better, Impact Pump Housings,
Tm = 175 to 250 ºC & Aberration Resistance – Sprinklers,
Good, Dimensional Stability Portable water
Good, Lowest Coeff. Of tanks, Valves,
Friction, Self Lubricating, Showerheads.
Glossy, Electrically Good, Poor
Weather ability.
 PLASTIC MATERIALS AND APPLICATION

Sl. Name of plastic Chief Properties Applications

No.
Polycarbonate,(P.C) Transparency 90%, Impact Outdoor lighting,
5 Density = 1.2 gm./cc strength High, Dimensionally Lens, Tool and
Shrinkage = 0.6 % Stable, Good Chemical and Heat appliance housing,
Resistance, Low Coeff. of Aircraft Interiors,
Tm = 275 to 315 ºC
Friction, Self Extinguishing, Automobile Lamp
Electrically Excellent, Shrinkage housings.
uniform in all directions, Costly.

6 Polyethylene (P.E) Containers, Covers,

Density =0.91gm/ cc to Translucent, Low density, Cheap, Buckets, Household
0.97 gm/cc Flexible, Low water absorption items, Toys &
(0.01%), Electrically very good, Furniture.
Shrinkage = 1.5 %
Good Heat stability, Inert to
Tm = 200 to 280 ºC Chemicals, Poor Weather ability. .
 PLASTIC MATERIALS AND APPLICATION

Sl. No. Name of plastic Chief Properties Applications

7 Poly Transparent (92%) , Lenses, Outdoor

methylMethacrylate Hard, Rigid, Weather
(P.M.M.A) - Acrylic ability Good,
Density = 1.15 gm/cc Dimensionalstability very
Shrinkage = 0.5 % Good, Decorative –
Outstanding, Excellent-
Tm = 160o C Gloss, Chemically- Good.
Polystyrene Transparent ( 90%), High
8
( P. S ) Gloss, Brittle, Rigid, High
Tensile strength, Low
General purpose &
Elongation, Electrically-
High Impact Excellent, Dim. Stability
Density =1.05 gm/cc -Good, Less Water
Shrinkage = 0.5 % absorption, Weatherability
Tm = 160 – 3000C – Poor, Chemically Good
lighting, m/c
Housings, Indoor
decorative
applications, Auto tail
lamps, Stop lights,
Instrument lenses,
Name plates, Dials,
Knobs, Signal lights.
Containers,
Packaging, Toys,
Household items,
Combs, Enclosures,
Tape Cassettes,
Furnitures.
 PLASTIC MATERIALS AND APPLICATION
Sl. No. Name of plastic Chief Properties
9 Polypropylene (P.P) Translucent , , Very high
Tensile strength, Impact
Density = 0.90 gm/cc strength and high Fatigue
Shrinkage = 1.5 % resistance , flexible.
Tm = 200o C -- 2800C Excellent abrasion
resistance , low friction ,
poor weather ability ,
excellent chemical
resistance,selfextinguishing
electroplatable.
10 Poly vinyl chloride Transparent , high impact
(PVC) strength , weather ability
Density : 1.2 – 1.4 good , excellent chemical
gm/cc resistance , electrically
Shrinkage = 0.5 % good , self extinguishing ,
cheap , abrasion – good ,
Low water absorption.
Applications
Containers ,
household items ,
hinged applications ,
battery cases , pump
parts , splash guards,
door panels ,
accelerator pedal.
Electrical cords ,
handle grips ,
vacuum cleaner parts
, shoes , pipe
fittings , phonograph
records , chemical
containers .