PLASTICS

INTRODUCTION

Plastics are a large group of synthesized carbon based compounds produced by polymerization. The building blocks of a plastic (monomers) are combined into a large variety of long, chain-like polymers. The type of plastic produced depends on the nature of the monomers used and their configuration in the polymer chain. Plastics can be as hard as stone or as soft as cotton, as strong as steel, clear as glass or as elastic as rubber. There are two broad groups, thermoplastics that can be repeatedly softened and reformed (recyclable) and thermosetting plastics which set permanently after polymerisation making plastics that tend to be durable and heat resistant.

History

Humans have used natural plastics such as horn and tortoiseshell for thousands of years, and natural shellac has been moulded into buttons and knobs for a long time. \ The first man made plastic came in 1862, called pyroxylin, it was derived from cellulose, a very common natural polymer. The following year work began on finding a man made substitute for the many tonnes of ivory used in making billiard balls each year. The first truly synthetic plastic (Bakelite) was produced in 1909. Plastics really took off in the 1930s, when petroleum based plastics were developed, DuPont and ICI leading the way with products made from polystyrene, PVC, nylon, neoprene and polyethylene. The first major building plastic was a vinyl floor tile introduced in 1933 at an exhibition in Chicago. PVC window frames first appeared in Germany in the 1950s, and today PVC is by far the dominant plastic in building use (see Table 1).

Plastic composition

Organic substance which consists of natural or synthetic binders or resins Polymers or macromolecules. Compounds of carbon with other elements such as H2,N2,O2. Plastics are are capable of flow when necessary heat and pressure are applied.

Polymerization.
Monomers Or monoliths. Polymers Polymerization. Strength, rigidity and elasticity are improved . Additional polymerization. eg:polythylene,polypropylene,pvc,polystrene Condensation polymerization. eg:phenol-formaldehyde,carbamide,melamineformaldehyde Co-polymerization. eg:vinylchloride acetate, butadiene-styrene

Classification
According to 1. Behaviour respect to heating Thermo-plastic soft when heated and hard when cooled,advntage-old can br recycled Thermo-setting-rigid at suitable temp &perssure,at 127deg-177deg c-set permanent,charring occurs 2.Structure Homogeneous plastic Hetrogenious plastic

3.Physical and mechanical properties. Depends on modulus of elasticity Rigid plastics high,retain their shape at extreme pressures and temperatures. Semi-rigid plastics-medium,elongation disappears when pressure removed. Soft plastics-low,elongation slowly disapears. Elastomerslow,deforms considerably and attains original shape The ratio of the stress applied to a body to the strain that results in the body in response to it.

Thermoplastics

Thermoplastics have a linear or branched molecular structure which determines their strength and thermal behavior; they are flexible at ordinary temperatures. At approx. 120 - 180C, thermoplastics become a pasty/liquid mass. The service temperature range for thermoplastics is considerably lower than that for thermosets. The thermoplastics polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polystyrene (PS) are used, for example, in packaging applications.

Thermoplastic resins.
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2.
3. 4.

5.

6.

Alkyd thin film of plastics Cellulose clear as glass, though and strong Cumarone-indene floor tiles,rubber manfact Methyl methacrylate or acrylic-sky lights, north lights, door panels, furniture etc. Styrene-high electric resistance,insulators at radios and televisions. Vinyl-wire & cable coverings. safety glass

Thermo-setting resins
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2.

3.

4.

5.

Casein buckles, buttons etc. Melamine-formaldehyde-electric insulators, glass reinforced plastics,laminates Phenol formaldehyde-paints,varnishes,water resistant adhesives.electrical fittings. Phenol furfuraldehydeUrea formaldehyde-lighting fixtures,

Thermosets

Thermosets are hard and have a very tightmeshed, branched molecular structure. Curing proceeds during shaping, after which it is no longer possible to shape the material by heating. Further shaping may then only be performed by machining. Thermosets are used, for example, to make light switches.

Moulding compounds.
1. 2.

3.

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5. 6.

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Catalysts assist & accelerate hardening the resin. for quick and complete polymerization Fillers inert material, imparts strength ,hardness and other properties Hardeners increase hardness of the resins. Lubricants for articles not to stick to the moulds.eg:parrafin,wax,graphite etc Pigments act as fillers and imparts colour. Plasticizers-oily in nature,ued to separate the polymer chain ,to improve plasticity. Solvents to dissolve plasticizers.

1.

2.

3.

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Blowing lump of plastic material is taken and hollow plastic articles like jars,bottles,etc are blown. Calendering plastic material is passed between cylindrical rollers. plain flat sheets of plastic. Casting resin is heated and poured into a mould when its in plastic form. optical properties are better. Laminating-Thermosetting resins are just applied on sheets of paper,asbestos,cloth,wood,glass,fiber etc.and subjected to heavy pressure by passing through rollers. used for ornamental and decorative purposes.

Fabrication

Moulding

Compression moulding Extrusion moulding. Injection moulding. Jet moulding Transfer moulding.

Properties of plastics.
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7. 8. 9. 10. 11.

Appearance & finishing Strength & weight Chemical resistance Dimensional stability Ductility &Durability Recycling Electric insulation Fire resistance Optical property Humidity Maintenance and fixing

Uses of plastics

Corrugated and plain sheets. Over head water tanks Pipes Bath ,sink units and cistern balla. floor tiles, lighting fixtures Apart from the obvious, such as cladding, flooring, pipework, cable sheathing and foam insulation, plastics are used in everything from the concrete foundations to the final coat of paint.

elastomers

While elastomers also have a crosslinked structure, they have a looser mesh than thermosets, giving rise to a degree of elasticity. Once shaped, elastomers also cannot be reshaped by heating. Elastomers are used, for example, to produce automobile tires.

Pvc

1. 2.

1. 2. 3.

Poly vinyl chloride-most versatile plastic. Pvc doors and windows Rust proof, rot proof,termite proof, and water proof Do not fade,corrode,flake or wrap, and require no maintenance. Pvc pipes. Good insulating properties, resistance to chemicals. High, smooth and undiminished flow of water. Economical and available in even in smaller size.

Plastics in Building and Construction

Of all the applications of plastics, building and construction is the second most important area, with a volume of 23 %, only coming second to packaging applications. The average working life of all plastics applications in construction is 35 years but, depending on the specific application, this has a wide variation between 5 years (such as wallpaper) and 80 years (such as pipes). Plastic insulation systems can also make a significant contribution to noise insulation. After pipes and insulation, the third major application area is for wall covering and flooring. The fourth-largest application area is window frames, which are made almost exclusively out of PVC.

Plastics Features and Advantages in Building and Construction durability, corrosion resistant cold, heat and sound insulation for energy saving and noise reduction cost efficiency light weight maintenance free innovation applications with unlimited choice of surface, colours and materials for creative design Recyclability.

REINFORCED PLASTICS
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