Plastic Properties and Applications
Plastics have occupied a central place in the science and technology arena since the early 19th century. They have been used for different purposes such as resistance to abrasion, chemical reaction, temperature change, lubrication and even decoration. Plastics come in various density levels, and some are more resistant to wear than others. The most common plastics are polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene.
Plastics are a broad spectrum of polymer or semi-chemical substances that utilise polymers as the basic ingredient. Plastics are also regarded as natural substances, such as wood, leather, paper or wool. They are low density but strong, which makes it feasible to manufacture high quality plastic goods. Their plasticity allows plastics to be extruded, moulded or pressed into different solid materials of different shapes. Some of the most common plastics include polyvinyl chloride, styrene, polypropylene, nylon, polyethylene terephthalate and polyvinyl chloride copolymer.
Polyvinyl chloride is an extremely popular plastic, and many polymers have already found their way into our everyday lives. PVC is also referred to as Vinyl, after the term vinyl chloride was first used in connection with its manufacturing. This material has many positive features that make it ideal for production of plastic products. Below are some common properties of other popular plastics including PVC.
Low density, flexibility, thermal conductivity and resistance to flame retardancy are some of the common properties of this versatile material. This material is also used in the production of electronics and also in curing, painting, plating and bonding. Its resistance to moisture and sunlight also makes it suitable for a number of different applications. PVC is a continuous process, and it does not change form when being processed. It is resistant to a variety of chemicals and its strength and ductility allow it to withstand harsh environments. PVC is also used in water bottles and industrial valves.
Polypropylene is a popular polymer which is flexible, durable and resistant to flame retardants. It is available in a number of different compositions, each possessing unique physical and chemical properties. It is very low in molecular weight, and is very ductile. The resistance to moisture and sunlight makes it ideal for use in a variety of industrial and consumer products.
Olefin and Ethylene are two other commonly used plastics. Olefin is derived from crude oil and is usually used as an adhesive for rubber and plastic products. It is made up of two molecules of a fatty compound, and it is thermally inert. Ethylene is derived from ethane, and it too is thermally inert. These two plastics often go hand-in-hand because they are superior thermal conductors.
The resins made from polymers materials are used to create a variety of different products. The most common polymers materials used in the creation of these resins are polyurethane, epoxy, moisture cure urethane, and thermoset resins. Other synthetic plastics may be created through the introduction of additives such as thermoform. The process of polymerization involves the addition of certain polymer molecules into a thermosetting mixture. When heat is applied to the mixture, the polymer molecules expand, which causes the material to harden.
Resins are made of many different types of plastics. All of these plastics have unique properties, but some of the most common materials used to make these plastics include polyurethane, polyacrylics, polypropylene, and thermoplastic resins. Each of these plastics has a wide variety of uses, and each of them is necessary in some way to the production of many different types of specialty resins. Because of their versatility and durability, plastics are among the most popular construction materials in the world.
Plastics have always been molded to some degree. The process of molds has been used for centuries to shape objects, and in modern times, molds can be made with computerized equipment. Plastics moudings are sometimes used to form parts that require a smooth surface, such as the bottoms of tires. Plastics can also be formed by injecting hot plastic material into a mold to form an object. Plastics can be shaped using ultrasonic or laser technology, and even the air-plated parts of cars are created using plastics.
Some materials, such as nylon and polystyrene fibers, have been processed to form materials used for manufacturing plastic. Other materials, such as polyester fibers, are not used to manufacture plastics at all, because they would not yield to the natural processes of nature. Many of the ingredients in the production of plastics, such as petroleum jelly, polyacrylate, polyacrylamide gel, and polypropylene fibers, are derived from crude oil. These materials are milled to fine pieces, heat-treated, then injected into molds to form many of the products we use every day. Most of these plastics, such as polyethylene (PE), are pressure sensitive, have adhesive properties, and can be mixed with other chemicals to create a wide range of pliable plastics.
Materials such as cellulose and cotton fibers are the most commonly found raw materials in the manufacturing of plastics. Many of the thermoplastic materials derive from plants, and in some cases, a plant is used to generate plastics that are used as additives. Although plastics are used for a variety of purposes, the processes of raw materials, such as those used to make plastics, have significant impacts on the properties of plastics and thus on their suitability for specific purposes.