Thermoforming polymers Thermoforming polymers. Acrylic, HIPs, Biopol.

Polymers Plastics are made from crude oil, which has environmental issues. Chemical engineers have developed different types of plastics with different properties. There are two main types of plastic THERMOFORMING Polymers THERMOSETTING Polymers THERMOFORMING Polmers This is the most common type of polymer used as it can be reshaped when it is reheated. Heating makes it soft and pliable and it can be reheated as often as required. When it cools it sets. The properties of this group can be changed by additives such as Stabilisers, fillers and plasticisers. Temperature changes can alter their properties loose strength, shape or become brittle This type of plastic can be recycled

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyF9MxlcItw Water bottles into fabric ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

THERMOFORMING NAME CHEMICAL NAME PROPERTIES USE 1 PET Polyethylene Terephthalate Chemical resistant, transparent soft drink bottles, polyester fabric 2 HDPE High Density Polyethylene Strong, Chemical resistant, easily coloured, good finish Plastic bottles, buckets, pipes, milk bottles 3 PVC Poly Vinyl Chloride Chemical and weather resistant, flexible. UPVC tough lightweight sunlight resistant Bottles for chemicals, flooring, plumbing pipes. UPVC window frames 2 3

THERMOFORMING NAME CHEMICAL NAME PROPERTIES USE 4 LDPE Low Density Polyethylene Tough flexible, chemical resistant, easily coloured, smooth finish Plastic bags, soap bottles, plastic tubes 5 PP Polypropylene Lightweight, food safe, excellent chemical resistant, good conductor Bumpers, car interior trim, kitchen ware, rope, syringes, margarine tubs 6 PS Polystyrene Light, hard good for vacuum forming. Expanded PS packaging. Can be toughened for strength Toys, flower pots, video cassettes, ashtrays, coolers, carry-out food containers, Styrofoam 4 5 6

THERMOFORMING NAME CHEMICAL NAME PROPERTIES USE 7 HIPS High impact PS Good stiffness and impact resistant, lightweight Toys, refrigerator linings PMMA Acrylic Poly methyl meth acrylate Tough, can be machined but is brittle, food safe Shop signs, car parts, baths NYLON Polyamide Hard, tough, resistant to wear. Low friction Bearings, gears and clothing ABS Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene Tough flexible, chemical resistant, easily coloured, smooth finish Kitchen products, mobile Phone cases, safety helmets Yellow highlighted are the polymers on the specification. These are the only ones here that they need to take notes on

THERMOFORMING Biopol is a brand name for PHB (Polyhydroxybutyrate). It is an environmentally friendly, quality biodegradable plastic, produced through the fermentation of plant sugars and glucose, derived from sweet potatoes, pea starch, soya starch and vegetable oil. Biopol is a biopolymer and is classified as a polyester and has similar properties to polypropylene (PP). Bioplol is also on the specification Biopol is compostable, degrading harmlessly in soil, after a few months.

THERMOFORMING Biopol is a brand name for PHB (Polyhydroxybutyrate). DISADVANTAGES   The main disadvantage, is that it more expensive to produce biopol than fossil fuel plastics. Biopol has a low resistance to acids and bases, including bleach. This restricts its use as ‘plastic’ packaging. Biopol does not resist impact as well as fossil fuel based plastics and cannot be used in situations such as containers, that could potentially be dropped or knocked. The fermentation process is longer, when compared to plastics processed from fossil fuels such as oil. Bioplol is also on the specification

Thermosetting polymers polyester resin, urea formaldehyde and their properties, insulator of heat and electricity. Toughness.

THERMOSETTING POLYMERS Soft and pliable on first heating but a chemical change happens on cooling and they become rigid, non-flexible and cannot be reheated and changed. They are hard and resistant to chemicals, oils, solvents and heat. The only way thermosetting plastic can be recycled is to chip it and use as a filler – it can not be reformed

THERMOSETTING POLYMERS NAME PROPERTIES USE Epoxy Resin Chemical and wear resistant, adheres to many surfaces Araldite glue, surface coatings Melamine Formaldehyde Rigid, good strength, good hardness, scratch and heat resistant Laminates for work surfaces, tableware Phenol Formaldehyde Very good heat resistance, dark colour, hard and brittle Saucepan handles, cheap electrical fittings

THERMOSETTING POLYMERS NAME PROPERTIES USE Urea Formaldehyde Rigid, brittle, good strength, heat resistant and good electrical insulator. Tough. Electrical fittings such as plugs, switches and adhesives Polyester Resin Good heat and chemical resistance, brittle and rigid Boat hulls and car parts (used with glass fibre GRP) embedded objects These are the only ones on the specification

THERMOFORMING Homework: Answer the following Biopol is a brand name for PHB (Polyhydroxybutyrate). Homework: Answer the following What is Biopol 2. Describe the Biomass process in relation to Biopol. Use images to illustrate the process 3. Describe the practical applications of Biopol (where and what it is used for). 4. Compared to plastics derived from fossil fuels what are the disadvantages of Biopol. 5. Explain three reasons why a company that manufactures plastic bags for garden and food waste and would prefer to use Biopol as the material to manufacture with. Bioplol is also on the specification

Polymer What is thermoforming plastic? Name examples for thermoforming plastics, giving material names and products What is Biopol? How can plastics be modified to make them more environmentally friendly? Bioplol is also on the specification

Polymer 5) What is thermosetting plastic? 6) Name examples for thermosetting plastics, giving material names and products Bioplol is also on the specification

Thermoforming and Thermosetting Polymer Task: To create a poster on Polymers that includes the following information; Definition of Thermoforming and Thermosetting. Examples such as; Acrylic, HIPS, Polyester Resin, Urea Formaldehyde Common uses Advantages and disadvantages. Molecular structure of the each type. Bioplol is also on the specification