Properties and Characteristics

• Making polymers

  - made via fractional distillation of crude oil

  - fraction called naphtha is main fraction used to produce polymers

  - hydrocarbons go under additional process called cracking, this breaks large hydrocarbons into smaller, more useful forms

  - polymer is made using either polymerisation or polycondensation - process = monomers are linked together to make long chains of monomers
• bio-based polymers VS synthetic polymers

  - bio-based polymer: have much shorter degradation time - can take a few months to a couple of years

  
  

  - synthetic polymer - can take hundreds of years to degrade
• polymers are self finishing


  - can be pigmented at the point of manufacture
• low density polyethylene (LDPE)

  - Thermoplastic

  - very tough

  - good chemical resistance

  - weatherproof

  - available in translucent

  - low level of rigidty
• LDPE: example products


  - thermoplastic

  - toys

  - carrier bags

  - food wrap film

  - food trays
• what is the safe working temp of LDPE

  65 degrees Celsius
• High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)


  - thermoplastic

  - available in translucent form

  - weatherproof

  - tough

  - good chemical resistance
• HDPE: example products


  - chemical drums

  - jerry cans

  - long life carrier bags

  - buckets

  - bowls
• safe working temperature of HDPE

  65℃
• polypropylene (PP)


  - thermoplastic

  - available in translucent

  - good chemical resistance

  - tough

  - good fatigue resistance (hinge property)
• PP : example products

  - rope

  - folders

  - folio cases

  - food containers

  - medical equipment

  - hinged container lids
• PP: safe working temperature

  100 degrees Celsius
• High impact polystyrene (HIPS)


  - thermoplastic

  - hard

  - rigid

  - available in translucent

  - tough
• HIPS: example products

  - yoghurt pots

  - refrigerator lining

  - single use drink cups

  - toilet seats

  - instrument control knobs
• HIPS: safe working temperature

  70 degrees Celsius
• Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)


  - thermoplastic

  - extremely tough

  - hard

  - available in opaque
• ABS: example products

  - telephone handset

  - domestic appliances e.g., food mixers

  - handles

  - remote control casings

  - calculator casings
• ABS: safe working temperature

  80 degrees Celsius
• Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)


  - thermoplastic

  - tough

  - hard

  - good chemical resistance

  - available in translucent
• PMMA: example products


  - car lighting casings

  - CNC laser cut items

  - lighting units

  - lighting covers

  - baths
• PMMA: safe working temperature

  95 degrees Celsius
• Nylon


  - thermoplastic

  - tough

  - corrosion resistant

  - good temperature resistance

  - low coefficient of friction
• Nylon: example products

  - bearings

  - gears

  - curtain rails

  - textiles

  - cable ties
• nylon: safe working temperature

  150 degrees Celsius
• Rigid Polyvinyl Chloride (uPVC)

  - thermoplastic

  - rigid

  - opaque

  - hard

  - tough

  - good weathering resistance

  - good chemical resistance

  - fire retardant
• uPVC: example products

  - window frames

  - external doors

  - guttering and downpipes for buildings

  - water service pipes

  - bank cards
• uPVC: safe working temperature

  95 degrees Celsius
• Flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC)


  - thermoplastic

  - available in translucent

  - tough

  - flexible

  - good weathering resistance

  - good chemical resistance
• PVC: example products


  - hose pipes

  - cable insulation

  - inflatable products

  - seat coverings
• PVC: safe working temperature

  95 degrees Celsius
• urea formaldehyde (UF)

  - thermoset polymer

  - hard

  - heat resistant

  - good electrical insulator

  - brittle
• UF: example products

  - electrical fittings

  - adhesives
• UF: safe working temperature

  80 degrees Celsius
• melamine formaldehyde (MF)


  - thermoset polymer

  - hard

  - opaque

  - tough

  - heat resistant

  - food safe

  - chemical resistant
• MF: example products

  - decorative laminates

  - picnic ware

  - buttons
• MF: safe working temperature

  130 degrees Celsius
• polyester resin

  - thermoset polymer

  - rigid

  - heat resistant

  - chemical resistant

  - brittle
• polyester resin: example products

  - castings

  - used in lay up process for glass reinforces plastic (GRP) for boat hulls

  - car parts

  - chair seats
• polyester resin: safe working temperature

  95 degrees Celsius
• epoxy resin

  - thermoset polymer

  - rigid

  - clear

  - chemical resistance

  - tough

  - hard