Thermoplastics Properties and applications

Hydrocarbon plastics 1. Ployethylene (PE) Polythene Polymerisaion of ethene CH2=CH2 Petroleum or natural gas Types
Low density PE High density PE (HDPE)

Characteristics
Resistant to chemicals Tough and flexible

Applications
Flexible bottles, toys, packing fils, seals, bowls, buckets etc..

2. Polypropylene (PP) Propene CH2=CH-CH3 Similar to HDPE Characteristics Stiffer harder stronger Fatigue resistence Light weight Chemical and thermal resistantance Applications Houseware, car interiors, bottle caps, extruded pipes, carpet fibres

Hydrocarbon plastics 3. Ploystyrene(PS) 20% of all thermoplastics in commercial use Polymerisaion of ethyl-benzene Types
HIBS ABS (Acryknitrile-Butadine-Styrene) SAN (Styrene-Acrylonitrile)

Characteristics
Low cost, brittle, glassy Easy to process, excellent moldability Poor chemical and corrosion resistence

Applications
Packaging and insulating foams, lighting panels, egg boxes, wall tiles, battery cases

 chlorocarbon and flurocarbon polymers 4. Ployvinylchloride (PVC) Polymerisaion of monomer vinayl chloride CH2=CHCl Mosl widely used plastics Types
UPVC PPVC CPVC

Characteristics
Low cost, general purpose materials Ordinarily rigid, made flexible with plasticizers Good flame, electrical, chemical, oil, abrasion and weather resistence

Applications
Pipes, valves, fittings, floor tiles, wire insulations, toys

5. Ploytetrafloro ethelene (PTFE) Mosl widely used plastics fluorocarbon polymer Types
PVDF PVF PFA

Characteristics
Chemicaly inert Excellent electrical property Low coeff of friction

Applications
Anti-corrosive seals, pipes and valves, bearings, non-stick coatings, high temp electronic parts

Acrylic Materials 6. Polymethyl methacrylate(PMMA) perspex or plexiglass Polymerisaion of monomer methyl methacrylate Characteristics
Hard rigid high impact strength Highly transparent to light Easily formed Readily colured and decorative properties

Applications
Camera lenses, flash lights, safety flasses, drafting equipments, display signs

7. Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) Polymerisaion of monomer acrylonitrile Characteristics

Highly stable Resistant to oils and greases

Applications
Synthetic fibre manufacture

Ployamids (or Nylons) Polymides (PA) Condensation reactions of amine and an organic acid Characteristics
Good mechanical properties Very strong and tough Good abrasion resistence Flexible and have high impact strength Good resistent to most solvents and chemicals Abosrbs water

Applications
Bearings, gears, cams, fatenings, automotive parts, bushings, electrical components, fibres and robes

 Hetrochain polymers 10. Polycarbonate Condensation of bisphenol A and carbonic acid Characteristics
Good impact resistence and ductility Transparent and low water absorption Low fatigue resistence

Applications
Safety helmets, shields and goggles, lenses, lighting fittings, car head lamp mouldings, sterlisable medical components

11. Polyethylene teraphthalate (PET) polyester or PETP Condensation of ethylene glycol and teraphathalic acid Characteristics
High strength high stiffness thermoplastics Excellent fatique and wear strength Can be reinforced with glass fibre

Applications
Fibres, photographic fils, recording tapes, boil-in-bag, beverage containers, soft drink bottles, electrical connectors, parts for domestic goods, automotive components

12. Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) 13. Polyphenylene oxide (PPO) 14. Polyphenylene sulphide (PPS) 15. Ployamides (PI) 16.Polyamide-imide (PAI)

Thermosetting plastics Properties and applications

Phenolics (Bakelites) 1.polyformaldehyde (PF) Phenol+formoldehyde (Phenol formaldehye - PF) Chracteristics of PFs
Hard rigid stable upto 150oC Low thermal conductivity, good electrical insulation property Good resistance to oils Low cost

Applications
Electrical plugs, sockets, switches, telephones, handles, adhesives, coatings and laminates

Amino formaldehyde materials Amino group condensed with aldehydes 1. Urea formaldehyde (UF) Condensing urea with formaldehyde Chracteristics of PFs
Similar to phenolics good electrical insulation property Hard and rigid Resistant to most chemicals

Applications
Electrical devices, circuit breakers, sitches,bottele cups, saucers, plates

 2. Melamine formaldehyde (MF) Condensing melamine with formaldehyde Chracteristics of PFs

Similar to UF Better resistant to heat up to 95oC

Applications
Similar to UF

Other thermosetting plastics

1. polyesters 2.Epoxides (EP) 3. Polyurethanes (PUR)

Engineering Ceramics engineering applications

Charateristics Resistance to abrasive and wera High strength and high temp Good chemical stability Electrical insulation characteristics Types Oxides, carbides, sulphides, nitrides, metalloids or intermetaallica

1. Alumina(Al2O3) 2. Silicon Carbide (SiC) 3. Silicon nitride (Si3N4) 4.partially stabilised zirconia (PSZ) 5.sialons

1. Alumina(Al2O3) Aluminium oxide oldest engineering ceramic Produced from boxite ore of aluminium Characteristics
Excellent hardness, wear resistance and chemical inert properties Stiffer than steels Stronger in compression thant many hardened tool steels Retain 50% of their room temp strength at elevated temp 1093oC Environmental resistance Poor thermal conductors Low newtron absorption - ??? Alumina is blended with other ceramics such as zirconia to improve its tensile and toughness properties

 Applications
Spark plug insulators, substrates for the deposition of electronics micricircuits and metal cutting tool tips Load bearing applications. Rocket nozzles, pump impellers, pump liners, check valves, dental and medical use restoration of teeth, bone filler, and orthopaedic implants Military armous platings protet against missiles fired from rifles.