Plastics

• Thermoplastic: Can be softened by heat and re-moulded many times
• Thermosetting plastic: can be softened by heat and moulded only once
• Thermoplastic: Acrylic, polyethylene, PET, PVC, polystyrene
• Thermosetting Plastic examples - Bakelite, melamine, synthetic rubber
• Acrylic: Hard, smooth, can crack

  • car lights
  • safety glass

  Vacuum former, strip heater
• HIPS: not brittle, Low cost

  • Castings
  • Toys

  Vaccume former, Stip heater
• PVC: Flexable

  • Pipes
  • Windows
  • bamk cards

  Vacchme former, strip heater
• Polythene, PET: easy to clean, hygenic

  • Bottels
  • Food containers

  Not easy to vacuum form
• Expanded Polystyrene(styrofoam,aeroboard): very light, good insulation

  • packaging

  Can be shaped with a hot wire cutter
• Nylon: Slippy, elastic, hard-wearing

  • clothes
  • fishing lines

  Use for gears
• Synthetic rubber: Elasic, waterproof, good insulation

  • wheels
  • wetsuits

  Use for project wheels or rubber feet